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Tub/shower combo & 2 sinks or Separate Tub & Shower & 1 sink

15 years ago

I have been wrestling with this decision forever. I have room in my mb to have a separate walk in shower and claw foot tub, but I will only be able to have one sink. Another "but", I will have a separate vanity with a mirror on an adjacent wall so that 2 people would not be crowded around the sink to get ready. The other configuration would be a simpel tub/shower combination with a shower curtain, I'm thinking Kohler Memoir cast iron. I've tried to estimate the cost difference between the 2 options, and there is a difference of about $2-3,000, meaning the separate tub and shower would be that much more expensive, when you factor in the wider, more expensive console sink I want and the extra tub, and the glass shower enclosure. Uggghhhh...my plans are to stay here for the long haul, but plans sometimes change, so I do have resale concerns in the back of my mind. My house is about 100 years old and I have a high end kitchen that I just put in, so I don't want to skimp, but...why do you dislike your tub/shower combo? And which is more important, a walk in shower or having 2 sinks?

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Comments (7)

monicakm_gw
15 years ago
I can see why thats a hard decision :o I *think* since you DO have that separate vanity area and nice walk in showers are a big seller, that I'd have to go with the one sink layout. Personally, if it were me and I shared the master with my husband, I'd go for the 2 sinks. Can you do a large walk in shower (for two), skip the tub and do two sinks? It's never easy is it?
Monica
ecoleman251
Original Author
15 years ago
I'm a tub person, I have to be able to have a soak. I'm currently single, but hope to share the bathroom with someone someday, so the sink thing is an important consideration...
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When I look at vintage houses, I think there are always things that I would never choose myself if I were building a new house, or if I have to replace something. But if there are there and they are in good shape, I would live with them and try to like them for what they are. I would never pick out the elaborate pillar and arch style cabinet doors in the kitchen and other areas of this house, but I wouldn't take them out either. The bathroom I am renovating now is bathroom #2 for that space. It was poorly done in 2000 subway tile style with pedestal sink. (Style is fine, handsome sink, not quite right for the house). There was a crack in the plumbing that could be accessed only by making a hole in the floor of this bathroom, so the whole thing is demo'd. Evidence shows that the original original was white tile with gold sparkles with a gold and black mosaic floor, unknown fixture color, maybe gold. I could as it turns out, replicate the tile in this bathroom (Daltile Golden Granite tile for the white with gold sparkles, and Daltile Keystones porcelain mosaic in Luminary Gold and Black.) The fixtures would have to be black or white, but it would be the original color scheme. I am not going to do that. If it was still here and in good shape I might keep it, but I am not going to duplicate it. But I am going to try and do something that looks like it could possibly be original--just not gold and black.
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kgwlisa
15 years ago
Is there any way to run plumbing to the separate vanity area to make it into a sink?

We are doing a gut remodel of our bathroom and we were able to cram in the shower, 5'6" claw foot tub, toilet and two sinks (on adjacent walls though, not next to each other) in a slightly less than 10'x11' space including sloped ceilings and a couple of windows.

Here is an older version of our plan for the bathroom but shows the two sinks. The one next to the tub is a console sink (on chrome legs) so very open and the tub is now a double ended tub with plumbing in the middle.

Here is a newer plan showing a tile layout I was messing with and the right tub. It also shows a bump out for a knee wall where the new drain is going to run - it turns out there was steel angle along that wall and we could not run the drain line under it so had to go through. It's more of a challenge to get the water there but wasn't impossible.
sadie709
15 years ago
I would rather wipe out a sink everymorning than clean the tub/shower just to take a bath. if im soaking its because im tired and sore from working and the last thing i want to do is scrub to get in the tub. i vote for 1 sink if that gets you a separate tub from the shower
sweeby
15 years ago
How do you live? Do you and hubby both [want to] use the sink at the same time? Are you a shower person or a tub bather?

I'd say that the clawfoot tub, separate shower and single sink version would be more elegant and probably more visually appealing for resale. And since you've got the separate makeup area, you'd minimize possible sink congestion. And Sadie's point about having to clean out the tub prior to a soak is a good one...
atsmith
15 years ago
For me, 2 sinks is a requirement. I just need my own area, my own drawers, shelves, etc., and don't want to have to wait in line to brush my teeth. We had this same decision to make and I went with 2 sinks and a shower/tub combo - BUT, I am an occasional bathtubber, not that frequent. If I took a bath every night (but who can with this water shortage?), I might feel differently.
ecoleman251
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you for your posts. I have just purchased my console sink and am purchasing the clawfoot tomorrow. Decided to go with separate shower and tub, and now that I've decided, I'm excited about it. I think one sink will be fine, and it is one that I think will make a statement. Thanks again!

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