Ideas for renovating awkward bathroom layout with eaves

[Peachthepiglet]

We have a very awkward bathroom that we are trying to renovate. Currently the bathroom does not have a shower but we are going to extend it to include the current airing cupboard. I am just struggling with how we create a good flow when you enter the bathroom as the 'shower' space will protrude more than the bath area. I was thinking perhaps a shower with a pony wall and half shower screen to maximise light but appreciate any input.

I am also struggling with the eave situation as the bath/shower wall eaves heavily. For the shower area the measurements are:

Point of entrance = 235cm high

50cm into shower space = 214cm

90cm into shower (rear) = 170cm

If anyone needs further info pls let me know. Ive been trying to use chatgpt a bit but the renders are often inaccurate due to the strange bathroom design. Can also send photos of current space for more context.

Also thoughts on back to wall baths? Does anyone have one they would recommend?

Are you saying that with the current design (with the shower cubicle sticking out a bit) the back wall of the shower will only be 5’7 tall?
Which wall of the shower cubicle are you having the shower on?

Is there only one roof slope,from right down to left on the plan drawing? Is the bit above the loo full height?

I asked the architect and this is what he sent me ….

im not sure about where best place to put the shower.

Toilet wall is full height

With picture

Whats in the blocked off section behind rhe shower? Could you move the door over more to the left if you put the shower somewhere else?

If you can swap the door and the shower you can fit a bigger shower in and it will feel less cramped.

If you’re paying an Architect and you don’t like the design/think it isn’t quite right you need to ask them to propose something else or think about it in a different way. Thats what you’re paying them for.

It’s not possible as the door would go into the stairwell or the adjacent bedroom. It’s the only place to put a shower so just trying to see if we can make it work and it not look awful

Why can’t the shower go on the window wall?

Must the shower and bath be separate? Could you have a generously large bath with shower over?

There wouldn’t be space on the bath side due to the heavy eaves. On the toilet side the gap also wouldn’t be big enough window to wall

That’s a very strange proposal.

is there any reason why it’s like this? What can’t be moved and why?

do you need a separate shower and bath? Do you need both?

the shouty aspect to me is that the loo is in the wrong place.

I know they are considered old fashioned but have you considered a corner bath? Could go partly under the window wall if it doesn’t jut out too much. There are modern free standing ones now. It’s what we did in our bathroom so we could have a separate shower and bath.

The toilet sink and bath are in the positions they are currently. We are just adding the shower in an adjacent airing cupboard. We have no objections to moving anything it’s just where else we can fit the shower or anything considering the heavy eaves

I’m not sure if this helps but some picture of current set up. The door is being moved further down the corridor to accommodate the cupboard space

Those eaves look high enough for a toilet or a sink on that wall which gives you loads more options. What is the length of the wall wirh the window in?

It’s 236cm. The distance between window and the toilet wall is 50cm. Is that too narrow for a shower

That makes sense, basically you have put the shower in the cupboard and left everything else. that's why it feels wrong.

Do you need/want a bath?
Would you be happy with a lovely shower over the bath?

I would try the bath / shower under the window.
I would consider the door so it opens the other way so you have a useable wall.

I would look at moving the loo to where you are proposing the shower goes, certainly on the right hand wall with the eaves.
In fact could you do that without knocking through the rooms so the cupboard becomes a separate toilet and can be used by another family member when somebody else is in the bathroom?

You can put a basin under the slope because you have to stand back to use it. Also you will not standing up from a seated or supine position with the risk of banging your head unexpectedly. Some people put a WC under a slope and this can happen,

I think a low height shower would be very annoying.

Yes.

Note the position of the soil pipe (SVP) in corner. This is very important. You want the WC close to it with no awkward pipe runs. The pipe is very big and must slope downhill. Much sadness is caused by extensions and alterations that result in poor soil pipes.

It is possible to run one in the space inside bath panelling or behind a basin, but it is big.

If someone suggests using a small or convoluted pipe, or a mincer, or a one-way vent like a Durgo inside the room, throw them out of your house. This is the time to design it properly.

We had a similar situation in our old house - complicated by a 6 foot 7 husband so shower head height mattered!

We ended up with a good quality (not a miserable dribble type one) over-bath shower, with an L-shaped-bath and shower against the "tall" wall, and the loo and basin against the "short" wall. It was the only way we could get the layout to work in that house. That did give us enough head clearance to get the shower in at a decent height for DH (who wouldn't half complain if his comfort was compromised) and it was as good as we could get while maintaining a decent size bath.

we do also have a very tall man in the house at 6ft5 but this wont really be used by him (we have two other ensuites). Primarily this will be the kids bathroom (so need a bath) and eventually just my sons bathroom (who will likely also be very tall). We did want to avoid bath over shower but maybe we need to consider this more seriously. Thank you for all your input on this...lots to think about. We can maybe mvoe the door further away from the shower so its not so boxed in and the slope begins further in but i think ultimately it has to go in that space or not at all. We can also consider the door opening into the hall or a pocket door.

If the shower is staying where you have it on the plan, a quadrant shower would be less imposing.

AI chat bots aren't great with visualizations as they tend to tweak the measurements a lot. I'd suggest using a bathroom design software like this one or the likes to upload a plan and build a model of it.
Anyway, the pony wall idea sounds good imo, it would keep the room feeling much more open when you walk in. I'd also place the shower controls and shower head on the highest wall if possible, leaving the lower end for shelving or a bench. I think that would make the space more comfortable to use.

OP, don’t put the bath under the eaves, because it makes it very difficult to get in and out. I once stayed in a hotel in Paris that had a bath under the eaves - I had to get DH to help me get out of the bath (and I was a lot younger and fitter at the time!)