[*CalamityJane*]

I'm (finally!) planning a bathroom reno for later this year. I originally had grand plans for a major reno which involved moving the bathroom to another part of the house and making it larger etc, however we have now decided that we will be moving on from this house in the next 2-3 years so will just redo the existing bathroom with resale in mind. It will be a complete redo, as it needs a new ceiling and there is obvious water damage in at least one wall so I can basically start from scratch.

The house is a 3x1, and the bathroom is very small. The bathroom currently has a claw foot bath, separate shower and a small vanity (leaving no room to swing a cat and next to no storage). It's very likely that any potential buyers will be young families due to the area. My thinking is that for that reason, we will need to retain a bath. For our purposes before we sell, I would like to free up some space in the bathroom for more room to move, and a larger vanity, so I am leaning towards a shower over bath. Ideally, I'd like to have the claw foot re-enamelled as it is quite lovely and in keeping with the house (Federation era).

My questions for EBers are as follows:

• If you have a shower over bath, would the idea of getting up and over the edge of a claw foot bath to have a shower put you off?
• If so, would the appeal of wallowing in a lovely deep bath win you over in the end?
• Or, would you prefer a more modern, shallower bath (perhaps with a shelf on the end to the wall to create some extra storage space)?
• Does a shower over bath cross the house off your list altogether?

Supplementary questions:

• If you only have one small bathroom, what are your absolute must-haves?
• Can you link me up to any small bathroom renovation internet porn ?

[marnie27]

I wouldn't care about a bath, I'd rather just a shower than a shower over a bath. Claw baths are lovely but I housesat with one that had a shower over it and it was so annoying because water would escape and you had to have the old fashioned shower curtains - I hate those! Give me a bath with a glass screen door any day! I've showered my babies from newborn anyway.

Though I think from other threads on EB I will be in the minority.

[niggles]

If you search for my posts in this forum you can see my small bathroom reno in a 3x1.

My preference is for a separate shower. It's a strong preference. A clawfoot would be a deal breaker I think. I could live with something wider. I hate the feeling of my feet being locked in position while I shower.

I designed a disappearing shower area next to the bath. It's easiest to explain after you see the photos.

[bailee]

I live in a 3x 1 with the bathroom being small. Would not have bought it if the shower was in the bath. I could cope if there was an ensuite with separate shower but not with no separate shower in the house. I'd rather have a shower than storage. We have only the vanity unit as storage in our bathroom. What is to keep in there but a few toiletries? We keep towels in the laundry cupboard and dont keep too much in the bathroom.

[HurryUpAlready]

I'd prefer shower over a bath, but not the claw foot. Too hard to get in & out and too hard to bath the baby in (when at that age where you still need to hold them),

I'd prefer something more modern with a half glass shower screen to minimise water splash (I really hate shower curtains, ew).

I think storage is another big must.

To me, saving room by doing the shower/bath combo, allowing you to have a bigger vanity (with decent bench space on top as well as good storage underneath) sounds like a good plan. in fact, it's exactly what I did in an apartment reno some years ago and it worked really well.

I don't have a photo of it here, but I've seen a toilet that can be installed in a corner (the cistern is shaped so that it fits neatly into a corner), it's a great space saver in a tight bathroom!

ETA: a window that opens is another "must" for me (although not always possible, I know), and an exhaust fan. And if I was really lucky with no budget to stick to, under floor heating!

Oh, and floor to ceiling wall tiles.


This post has been edited by HurryUpAlready: 08/01/2013, 11:30 PM

[with the goo goo...]

Clawfoot bath is a nice touch in a hotel bathroom where someone else does the cleaning. I would not have one in my own house.

I am not decided on a shower-bath. We do have one at the moment, and it is great for the kids. However, we had my parents in law stay with us for a week and I think they found it a bit difficult to get in and out. So if you are not going to have a conventional shower as well as the bath, I would probably forego the bath. Though I guess it is less likely to be an issue with the demographic you mentioned.

The two things at the top of my wishlist are:
- out of reach medicine cabinet (probably one built into a mirror), and
- lots of powerpoints (we never have enough in our bathrooms)

[*CalamityJane*]

Thanks so much for the quick ideas!

If you search for my posts in this forum you can see my small bathroom reno in a 3x1.

My preference is for a separate shower. It's a strong preference. A clawfoot would be a deal breaker I think. I could live with something wider. I hate the feeling of my feet being locked in position while I shower.

I designed a disappearing shower area next to the bath. It's easiest to explain after you see the photos.

Oh, I will go and search, thanks.

I'd prefer shower over a bath, but not the claw foot. Too hard to get in & out and too hard to bath the baby in (when at that age where you still need to hold them),

I'd prefer something more modern with a half glass shower screen to minimise water splash (I really hate shower curtains, ew).

I think storage is another big must.

To me, saving room by doing the shower/bath combo, allowing you to have a bigger vanity (with decent bench space on top as well as good storage underneath) sounds like a good plan. in fact, it's exactly what I did in an apartment reno some years ago and it worked really well.

I don't have a photo of it here, but I've seen a toilet that can be installed in a corner (the cistern is shaped so that it fits neatly into a corner), it's a great space saver in a tight bathroom!

ETA: a window that opens is another "must" for me (although not always possible, I know), and an exhaust fan. And if I was really lucky with no budget to stick to, under floor heating!

I was thinking the same with the claw foot TBH. We bathed our newborns in the laundry trough, they didn't get into the bath until they could sit. I have dodgy knees, so personally I would prefer not to have it, it's just that I wondered if it might have some appeal to buyers to keep it. We have a separate toilet, so I won't need to squeeze that in, thank goodness! We have an opening (leadlight) window. Under floor heating...mmm

Clawfoot bath is a nice touch in a hotel bathroom where someone else does the cleaning. I would not have one in my own house.

I am not decided on a shower-bath. We do have one at the moment, and it is great for the kids. However, we had my parents in law stay with us for a week and I think they found it a bit difficult to get in and out. So if you are not going to have a conventional shower as well as the bath, I would probably forego the bath. Though I guess it is less likely to be an issue with the demographic you mentioned.

The two things at the top of my wishlist are:
- out of reach medicine cabinet (probably one built into a mirror), and
- lots of powerpoints (we never have enough in our bathrooms)

I'm thinking of a large mirror with a cabinet behind as well.

[tiggywinkle]

Another vote here for separate bath/ shower. I wouldn't buy
a 3x1 with a shower over the bath, unless bathroom wasnt renovated (and price would reflect this). I don't think a claw foot bath would sway me either way. For me, bathroom storage isn't that important, although I'm sure there are clever tricks you could do to improve it in a small space if you
are doing a reno. Perhaps check on
Pinterest?

[*CalamityJane*]

niggles, just found your thread and that shower is a clever idea! Unfortunately, not even that would fit in our bathroom LOL.

If we were staying here forever, I would just have a shower and that would give us enough space. I'm just worried about not having a bath for resale really.

[wiggles]

I prefer a separate bath and shower. It was something I preferred when buying this house.

Does anyone have the link to niggles bathroom post. Sound interesting.

TIA