Freestanding tub next to shower - how to layout?
I have a 118"X156" master bath that current has a tiny 36X36 shower and giant whirlpool tub. I'd prefer to have a freestanding tub next to a walk-in 48"x60" shower, but I'm working within the existing space which has a large 48" window. (and we aren't moving the toilet) This is the layout I'm thinking, but is there enough space between the tub & shower? Any other thoughts on how to situate the tub?
Comments (12)
PROPatricia Colwell Consulting
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Free-standing tub vs. drop in tub
Comments (6)We are going with a freestanding in our new master bath both because we like the looks and also with our layout it worked better. Given the cost of a good tiling job I'm not sure a built-in would have been less expensive than a standalone. We had 2 drop-in tubs (one to be removed with shower stall) and one of them still in-- acrylic-- which we put in 12 years ago and somewhat regret now because it flexes and the grout cracked over time so it has needed a lot of maintenance. (this is mostly because of the material we chose). But when our kids were younger they loved the bubbles!...See MoreFreestanding Tubs, Clawfoot Tubs
Comments (5)I have a cast iron clawfoot (I know you said you weren't interested in those specifically) which we love. My husband is 6'5" and has trouble fitting into regular sized tubs; the clawfoot is deep and he can get a good soak. We looked at the Victoria and Albert tubs, but decided on the clawfoot because we found a great deal on a used one on craigslist and it matched the period of our house (1910 bungalow). Neither of us miss having the deck. We are struggling with finding storage, but that is a general issue we are having with the overall bathroom, not specific to the tub. When reading I'll just put my magazine, book or paper on the floor next to the tub. It's not that inconvenient to lean over and pick it up again over the edge of the tub. I don't have any problems getting in and out of the tub, and I've had foot surgery like you would not believe. I've had my ankle, leg, and foot surgically reconstructed 9 times in the past 6 years. While I'm no longer on crutches, I am significantly disabled (makes many DIY projects very difficult for me). I also have very poor balance and suffered nerve damage during one my surgeries so have no sensation on the bottom of my foot. I was warned that all of these issues would make it difficult for me to get in and out of a clawfoot tub, but I just hold onto the opposite side for balance and have no trouble. I have good days and bad days, and on bad days I sit on the edge of the tub and just swing my legs over. I don't think using the clawfoot tub is any more difficult than a regular shallower tub. This was my foot last year, you can see that it was pretty messed up. Even though I had a regular tub during this procedure and only recently got the clawfoot, I'm still recovering from the surgery....See MoreFree standing tub or built-in tub?
Comments (1)I think it depends on how you live and if you're planning for resale. I am a bath person and chose an insert so that I could have an air jetted tub, have room for candles, bath salts, etc. and for ease of cleaning around it. I was told that it can sometimes be difficult to clean around free standing tubs, especially in a smaller space. Also, we wanted a larger one as my husband enjoys it after a long day of cycling. The tub insert may not be the rage right now but it functions best for us....See MoreFreestanding Tub Filler that comes from shower hose extension
Comments (12)Thanks for the replies. Firstly, @Patricia Colwell -- I hear your concerns, here, but all the same, this is a very large shower, as I stated, it was built for a woman who was disabled. I can easily fit a 57" wide tub into it, and fit the drain over the shower drain, or use a flexible connection to do so. Secondly, it's not that I'm "not willing" to do the work. It is that I am on a budget, thanks, and I'm looking for ideas. That's all. Thirdly, it's not the look. It's the configuration. I don't want to lose the ability to have a standing shower, and I want to add a tub. In reality, this will be better, as this shower currently leaks water onto the floor even with the curtain setup it currently has. My consideration in keeping it a shower, was to install glass doors -- which I may still do, but I would rather have a tub. This won't turn the bathroom into a "wet room". @Nancy in Mich -- thanks for the thoughts. A few things. Yes, I am aware of going in through the back of the shower -- there is a very small broom closet behind this shower, in which the copper runs to feed the water. The issue here is that all of that copper is already welded, and these are not your normal 1/2" screw-in connections. If they were, I would run splitters off of them, setup a freestanding filler faucet, and then keep the shower portion that is already in the wall. But, I cannot do that, without cutting the pipe, and etc. That's not my fault, that's how the house came to me. So in essence, yes, I get it. I realize that I am asking for something that doesn't exist in a retail product fashion. It seems silly to me that it doesn't, but, whatever. And to clarify, this shower is a built-in, not something which can be done by cutting through drywall. If I decide to go harder on this, I have to remove the entire shower. Not into it at this time. Anyway, thanks, I'll go looking...See MoreAJCN
3 years agoWe have a 4 x 6 shower, but with a clipped corner where the door is. Can you bring the tub out away from the wall? I think you have room to clean around it if you do that.
alison_bruce35 thanked AJCNalison_bruce35
3 years agoAJCN
3 years agoNot being centered under the window would not bother me because the window isn't centered on that back wall. But I know it may bother some people.
Personally I don't care for freestanding tubs. But if you really want a freestanding one, you have room to put a little wooden stool or something like that next to it for your shampoo and such.
If you like the idea of a toilet room (a lot of people love them, and just as many hate them), it also looks like you have room for one and still have room for a long vanity. I think that wall is the 118" one. If a toilet room is approx 3' x 5' or even a little wider, you'd still be able to have a vanity that's approx 72" or a little longer.
You could also clip the corner of the shower. We needed to do that because of how the room is shaped and to accommodate a large linen cabinet. Our door is on the angled part. That would enable you to open the door without hitting the tub. We also used a teak corner bench instead of a built in stone one, mostly because we like how it brings in a visually warm element.
You could put your shower controller on the other pony wall (nearest the tub). We have our door able to swing inward and outward because we like to leave it pushed in a little so that the steam can get out faster. Ours is a steamer, so that mostly why, but it also aides in easy-reach to the controls.
alison_bruce35
3 years agoAJCN
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoYou can certainly put your bathtub on an angle. In fact that with trick the eye as far as worrying about centering it under a window. It will appear balanced, not violating symmetry, and it will look intentional. Then decide if you want a toilet room or not. I like having a toilet room in my master, but a lot of people don't like that. You have room for it, so decide. If not, I highly recommend a pony wall between vanity and toilet. You shower will be huge. A 4 x 5 shower is great, even if the clipped corner steals a little real estate.
AJCN
3 years agoalison_bruce35
3 years ago
AJCN