Small bathroom / tub configuration dilemma

3 years ago

We are renovating the ONE small bathroom in our 1911 bungalow style home. As you see in the picture, when opening the door to the bathroom the current tub is positioned in far right corner. It has left hand drain and is about 58" long x 29.5" wide as measured from the tiled walls. If possible, we'd like to get a slightly larger tub. however the width at the door side of the wall is 29.75" from the door jamb to the wall.

My questions/concerns are:

1) Is the current tub likely 30" x 60" but measuring smaller because the tub flanges are set into the wall?

2) If we use a 60"+ tub, what do we do with the space behind the tub? We want to get rid of the current storage cubby wall, but we are thinking a 30" wide tub will come out further than we have room from the wall to the door.

3) We are considering the Maax Mackenzie Corner or Nomad Corner tubs that have two wall flanges and 2 finished sides. We would put up a 1/4 or 1/2 wall glass "door" and this would leave the rear side of the tub open.

Has anyone else done this? The issue really comes down to the fact that the depth of the wall where we need to put the tub is not as wide as most standard tubs. So, hard to finish it in as a true alcove and hard to put in a pony wall, as it would not be flush with the side of the tub.

Also, if it helps... our walls are lath & plaster.

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Comments (6)

thisisnotadrill
3 years ago
What is on the other side of the long tub wall? any possibility to claim a few inches + from that room?
cpartist
3 years ago
Why would you get rid of this old quality tub and put in an acrylic piece of junk in comparison? Especially since the style of the tub you are looking at doesn’t fit the look of a 1911 bungalow? Do not HGTV your house
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I love an old tub!!! And by the looks of yours, it is not a new model! If I'm a buyer looking at your house, I'm thinking "great! That tub is original and probably comfortable!" Our tubs in this house (built in '94) are steel and they are definitely not comfortable to recline in. They also don't hold the heat like an older (quality) cast iron tub will. You have a little treasure that just needs some TLC! I'd suggest checking out tub/tile re-finishers in your area. I know what you are talking about with an older tub---the kind momma scoured with Comet every week until the glaze was gone! They can also cover up those sailboats too. Do you plan on keeping the slate floor? It looks nice to me. The only other suggestion (aside from swapping the door and vanity) would be to put up some bead board on the lower section of the wall. Why? Well, the way the tub tile butts into the window looks awkward. If you have white bead board next to the tile (under the window and beyond) then there won't be any contrast in color and the lack of space between the tile and window won't show up at all. Above the bead board, I'd nix the yellow and go with a light sandy, golden tan. I could see this bath looking very Pottery Barn/beachy. She does not like the sink? Those crazy sailboats? The grody tub? Well, you've obviously done something right, LOL!!! The kid has good taste--what more can you ask for? :)
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Thank you all so much. Very valuable information and suggestions!! Things I hadn’t even thought of (like a window seat, and tiling to the ceiling within the alcove, also was on the fence about the door swing). I think I’m just getting nervous and second guessing my initial decisions. They were made so long ago I nearly forgot (COVID put the brakes on things very early on). My builder reminded me that I chose a drop in tub months ago (not a specific one.. just the type) so I’m hoping the drain situation doesn’t limit my selections too much. I think you all are right about sticking to the alcove built-in tub. I wasn’t sure if my shower was big enough or not. It’s hard to compare to what I currently have since we have a basic tub/shower combo. I currently don’t take many baths now but I do like to. Just not very serene in my current MBA. I’m sticking to the drop in, Im sure it will be fine. I will need so much more help along the way. If you all have any suggestions on how I should post for help please let me know. (I would love to get suggestions for kitchen, great room, patio, etc.) Im just overwhelmed and want to get this right! Thank you all again!
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I think a much smaller vanity would be really terrific! I have strange bathroom dimensions too, and there was this odd custom vanity that was meant to maximize storage. After much, much deliberation and agonizing about losing storage space, I finally decided to get rid of the old vanity and just get a smaller one -- and now I'm really glad I did. Mine is only 24" x 18" deep, and it's got three drawers so I can still fit major necessities in there. And we found a little floor-standing metal shelving unit at our local Homesense (like a Marshalls) which is absolutely perfect -- it provides extra storage space right next to the new vanity; it can be easily pulled away for quick cleaning and it helps lend an openness/airiness to the otherwise-cramped space. I think a 36" (or wider if it fits easily) x 18" vanity can look great in your space! Here's an example from Home Depot, although if you're getting yours custom made you could add drawers etc: If you go with a smaller vanity, then you could also put a "rolling storage bath shelf" like this one beside it, which would solve some of the problems you identified including being able to access for cleaning: :)
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Mary Davis
3 years ago
I don’t have any advice on tub replacement - I will be doing a similar remodel next year and am interested in what you come up with. Our tub is from the 1950’s and has been refinished previously. I think we’re at the limit of refinishing. At least that’s what the refinisher told me. I love the window.
flanders5
Original Author
3 years ago
@thisisnotadrill - A small bedroom is on the other side. Can’t claim any inches from it and and neither can the budget :)

@cpartist - Similar to Mdizme, our tub is on its last legs. It’s chipped in multiple areas and has been refinished before. And frankly, it’s just super tiny. Do you have any suggestions?

@Mdizme - Wish I could say the window is real, but it’s a stick-on placed by a previous owner. Pretty good dupe though as it’s often mistaken for the real thing!
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I am not a lover of old tubs and I like saokers . But that said I need a to scale floor plan of the whole space and also what is next to it and out the hall.There is no way to know what size tub without gutting the space BTW and forget corner tubs never a good choice.I think you have space for the length since that cabinet storage can be removed. Gut the bathoom then you will see exactly how much space you have. Find a friend where you can shower and get the pumber to make sure the toilet functions every night.
cpartist
3 years ago
Start with a floor plan to scale.

Small bathroom / tub configuration dilemma

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thisisnotadrill

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Small bathroom / tub configuration dilemma

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thisisnotadrill

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