Thanks for all the great suggestions! @Green Designs- thanks for the info about the professionals. We'd probably do the work ourselves but call someone into inspect it (my husband is an electrical engineer and an amazing diy-er). Unfortunately we cannot remove the tub completely because it's the only one in the unit (master bath has a whirlpool tub and a stall shower) and as the area is mostly families, they'll need somewhere to bathe their kids. @writersblock and cat_mom - thanks for the idea about a shallower vanity- I'll have to check them out to see if I like any. Yes- thats the Kohler Archer tub. @mydreamhome- I'll have to remeasure around the tile and add some space for the wall- hopefully it'll be enough! @may_flowers - I do like the idea of a pedestal sink, I'd just be concerned with storage. Maybe a wall-mount sink with a cute storage shelf underneath? We'll see if I can sell my husband on one! I definitely like the idea of a shallower vanity too now that I've googled for them- It would definitely give me more space to open doors or drawers. I'll have to look at those when I'm out and about. IKEA definitely has some good ideas! I'll also have to look more into left-drawered vanities. The husband promises that once I'm done with my CPA exams, we can start on the bathroom- July can't come soon enough! Follow-up question: If I went with a shallower vanity, as many of them on my quick perusal are less than 36 inches wide, would I still mount it up against the back and side wall, or would I leave a gap so that it's more evenly spaced in the room? Say I get a 26 inch wide vanity, I've got an extra 11 inches of space, and I don't know if that would look weird if the vanity is up against the corner, then a foot of space between that and the toilet.

I can’t answer your original question (sorry!), but I can clear up the other stuff. ;) My architect agrees. He says if u do put Kerdi over wall board there will be a lip and a problem for tile Since Kerdi Waterproofing Membrane, not Kerdi-Board, goes over the green board, there is no lip: “Waterproofing for tiled showers with a bathtub can be done in a couple of ways, both equally effective. KERDI-BOARD is ideal for use instead of gypsum or cement board in cases where the wall studs are accessible, while the KERDI waterproofing membrane is perfect for application over wall boards already in place.” Schluter®-KERDI-TUBKIT The Schluter®-KERDI-TUBKIT contains all the components necessary to create a fully waterproof and vapor tight bathtub surround assembly. Designed to create a fully waterproof and vapor-tight enclosure for tiled bathtub surrounds Contains waterproofing membrane, and waterproofing strip, pipe seal, mixing valve seal, and sealing and bonding compound

Prior to my remodel my door swing obscured the tub/shower. I found this to be more practical than if it would have obscured the vanity because the sink was used much more frequently than the tub/shower and it would have been more frustrating to have to keep the door closed whenever the sink was being used - especially since the bathroom door wasn't shut every time the bathroom was used. I was able to solve the issue by having the door swing OUT when I remodeled. This was because of the configuration of my bedroom so that the door just opens up to the side wall of a closet which is essentially dead space anyway. Is there anyway to install a pocket door as that would seem to be the ideal situation. If not, as I wrote, I didn't find opening onto the tub to be an issue. If anything it is more typical to keep the bathroom door closed when showering or bathing than when using a sink. ETA - Don't forget that if the vanity is blocked when the door is open, that also would mean that it blocks anything stored in the vanity so you would have to shut the door just to get access to the vanity. If it blocks the shower for the most part if would just be like a wall since you only need access to the shower/tub when actually taking a shower or bath.

I like the ideas! Keeping the plumbing in the same place is always the least expensive way to go, but no matter what, it's going to be a $30K remodel if you are buying a tub and creating a new shower, vanity, etc. So putting in a pocket door will not add that much if you're going that route. I have a situation now where I have a linen closet door and bathroom door opening as your drawing. They are always banging into each other and the doorknobs get tangled up together because I leave the linen closet door ajar because the cat likes to sleep in there. I'm changing it to a pocket door and linen cabinets. The foot print is smaller for a tall cabinet and for me, a lot more functional although Kitty will have to find a new place to sleep. I'm actually using a tall kitchen pantry cabinet as it already has roll out shelves. But it does add to the cost, $4K. The closet is just framing, drywall, shelves and a door. Probably less expensive than $K. Take your time, find someone who knows the building code and keep playing with your plan.