No to both. Both designs are too cramped.

Even if you move the toilet, even if you lose the closet, I don't see any way you can bring in a shower AND a tub. You've gotta choose.

The design you have is probably the best you're going to do in this space. One small thing that could help: Switch the door swing so it swings outward.

I agree that the existing layout is best. I'm not trying to be snarky, but I have to say that Option B is a strong contender for the worst, most congested/cramped layout I've ever seen. You would end up with serious regrets if you chose that approach.

Can the closet be removed, or is that a closet in an adjacent bedroom?

@emily yes the closet could be removed

I would personally like a larger shower than a tub. I have one that I use once or twice a month.

If you wanted the expense of moving everything, you could fit a 66 inch alcove tub and an almost 48 inch shower on one wall. Then move the toilet over to the other wall with the vanity. Smaller walkway, especially if two people are in there at the same time.

The second layout is more open, You can put a teak bench at one end of the shower. Change your closet to an 18 inch deep linen cabinet.

Then you can put in a stand alone two sink vanity. I changed the shower head the right, but you could leave them where they are, especially if the right wall is an outside wall. If you are using a glass ennclosure, you would have to put the shower controls opposite the shower head to avoid getting wet when turning on the shower.

Thanks everyone! I think given the space constraints, we are probably trying to pack too much in with a separate shower and tub.

I think we will keep the layout the same but replace the jacuzzi tub with a nice drop in or alcove tub / shower combo (looking at a Kohler 72” c 36”), leaving the shower on the left hand wall.

Does anyone have a strong opinion of whether we should use a shower curtain or glass half wall to “enclose” this type of shower? (See example photos)

Also, any opinions on alcove vs drop in?

Thanks!

Hi all! We've been working with our contractor and came up with a third potential layout, which allows for both a soaking tub and a stand-up shower. Do people still think this is packing too much into too small of a space? Or does this layout work? We have a 42 x 36 shower in our current apartment and it's plenty big for us. And we'd love both a soaking tub (for occasional baths) and a shower (for every day use). We would have to eliminate the closet, but we have additional closet space outside the bathroom in the master bedroom.

I would look into how much it costs to move the plumbing. You will be able to get a better design without the constraints of not moving the plumbing. And you're going to be spending a lot, so you might as well get something nice out of it.

Thanks Mimimomy. We have decided that it does likely make sense to move plumbing. I still think this Option C is the best layout and just happens to not involve moving a ton of plumbing, mainily just running drain and water lines over the the corner standup shower. Do you think there are any issues with this layout?

Will 2 people be using this bathroom at the same time? What is the purpose of the small spaces to the right and left of the tub? They look like hard to clean areas to me, not to mention death traps as you try to reach and clean it and fall into the tub. Unless you need a steam shower or are in a cold bathroom, I am not a believer in shower doors. It would definitely not be the bathroom for me, but since it's not for me, that's o.k.:)

It's improved, but it still is very tight due to trying to fit both a tub and a shower in that limited space. Are you sure you need a tub, or do you simply think it should have a tub? We have a larger master bath, so we have both a bathtub and a shower. I believe I've used our tub once in 15 years, but really enjoy having a spacious shower. If I were designing your space, the tub would go and I'd have a large, beautiful shower instead of that smallish, utilitarian square in the corner, and the cramped overall layout. I'm not trying to be snarky, but I am challenging you to stand back and re-think whether putting all of this in a space that's about 8' X 9' is going to give you a result that you'll be happy living with over the long term.

Thanks for the feedback! We defintely take 2-3 baths per week, so would love to have the tub. The shower for us is a bit more utilitarian, use it every morning, but not for luxury. We thought about just creating a large shower along the windows, something like 4 ft x 7 ft, but I'm not sure I fully understand what you do with all of the excess space that is not in the area under the shower head. Sure I guess you could have two shower heads on either sides, but I don't think we'd use both at the same time very often. Or could put a bench at one end, but would you ever sit on a bench at the opposite end of a shower? So then it just seems like a lot of wasted space. I'm open to being convinced otherwise!

Can the door entering the bathroom be moved?

The door could be moved a few inches to the right (then it runs into a closet), or a foot or so to the left, or potentially relocated on the wall that the vanity is on by creating a new door where there is currently a bookcase. See below for zoomed out floorplan of the master. The other walls are exterior.

Is that bookcase up against a structural post (the black square)? How wide is the bookcase?

The bookcase is 36 inches, and then there is an HVAC unit in the dark square which would be difficult to relocate. There may also be structural components in that dark square.

Moving the entry door to the corner adjoining the bookcase along either wall would free up more space to allow a 4-piece bath. For instance, if you moved the door all the way to the left, you would have nominal 5-feet to the right of it, which could give you more room for a shower. Then, in plan C, with a 59-60" tub moved to the right, you could put a custom shallow depth vanity along the left wall that could run to the corner ending in shallow shelves or cabinetry. It would be tight dimensions, but certainly workable.

If the wall behind the bookcase could be removed, you could replace with the door and build it flush with the side of the dark square that faces the sitting area, which gives even more flexibiilty.

Don't give up yet!

Good ideas, thanks!