3 New Bathrooms With a Shower-Tub Combo in 56 Square Feet or Less
Designers, including one found on Houzz, share details on how they made this space-saving feature a stylish focal point
A shower-tub combo combines the shower and bath functions into one space-saving setup. This classic arrangement is great for a hall bathroom because it offers flexibility for guests and kids. And with the right design treatment, this feature can become the star of the room. Here, design professionals share the details of three small bathrooms with a shower-tub combo.
2. True Blue
Designer: Megan Pisano Design
Location: Summit, New Jersey
Size: 45 square feet (4.2 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted a fresh, clean look by incorporating blue,” designer Megan Pisano says. “This is the kids bathroom, so they wanted it to be a little playful but also grow with the kids.”
Shower-tub combo details. “This being the kids bathroom and the only tub in the house, it was a must to keep,” Pisano says. “We modernized it with blue tile, a frameless shower door and gold hardware.”
Other special features. “We used wallpaper from Schumacher for a little extra interest and design,” Pisano says.
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to add some life and color into the bathroom or powder room,” Pisano says. “It’s a small space, so those details can have a huge impact.”
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Designer: Megan Pisano Design
Location: Summit, New Jersey
Size: 45 square feet (4.2 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted a fresh, clean look by incorporating blue,” designer Megan Pisano says. “This is the kids bathroom, so they wanted it to be a little playful but also grow with the kids.”
Shower-tub combo details. “This being the kids bathroom and the only tub in the house, it was a must to keep,” Pisano says. “We modernized it with blue tile, a frameless shower door and gold hardware.”
Other special features. “We used wallpaper from Schumacher for a little extra interest and design,” Pisano says.
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to add some life and color into the bathroom or powder room,” Pisano says. “It’s a small space, so those details can have a huge impact.”
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3. Bold Gold
Architect: Lincoln Lighthill of Lincoln Lighthill Architect
General contractor: Kotas Construction
Location: San Francisco
Size: 37½ square feet (3.5 square meters); 5 by 7½
Homeowners’ request. “This kids bathroom was part of a larger remodel of an existing home,” architect Lincoln Lighthill says. “The clients wanted the room to continue the design themes from the rest of the project and also to do something fun and different for the kids, while still functioning as a guest bath on occasion. We created space for this room, a primary bathroom, and his-and-her closets from what was just one bathroom and a walk-in closet before, so space was tight in here.”
Shower-tub combo details. “I think it is safe to say that the tile pattern is the special feature in this room,” Lighthill says. “We showed the clients some options and they immediately chose this ‘random’ pattern of hexagonal tiles in two colors. We dialed in the yellow color from among the many beautiful options at Heath Ceramics. Everything was drawn in color, with the tiles right where we wanted them. The tile subcontractor asked if he should just place the yellow tiles randomly, and we gently advised that no, he should install it exactly as shown on the drawings.”
Architect: Lincoln Lighthill of Lincoln Lighthill Architect
General contractor: Kotas Construction
Location: San Francisco
Size: 37½ square feet (3.5 square meters); 5 by 7½
Homeowners’ request. “This kids bathroom was part of a larger remodel of an existing home,” architect Lincoln Lighthill says. “The clients wanted the room to continue the design themes from the rest of the project and also to do something fun and different for the kids, while still functioning as a guest bath on occasion. We created space for this room, a primary bathroom, and his-and-her closets from what was just one bathroom and a walk-in closet before, so space was tight in here.”
Shower-tub combo details. “I think it is safe to say that the tile pattern is the special feature in this room,” Lighthill says. “We showed the clients some options and they immediately chose this ‘random’ pattern of hexagonal tiles in two colors. We dialed in the yellow color from among the many beautiful options at Heath Ceramics. Everything was drawn in color, with the tiles right where we wanted them. The tile subcontractor asked if he should just place the yellow tiles randomly, and we gently advised that no, he should install it exactly as shown on the drawings.”
Other special features. Custom walnut veneer vanity with quartz top. Sealed concrete flooring. In-wall tank toilet. Recessed medicine cabinet (Catalan by Kohler). “The small space dictated the shower-tub combo,” Lighthill says. “This is an unusual arrangement in that the controls for each are at opposite ends of the tub. There were several reasons for this: The clients planned to mostly use it as a tub for the kids, and they wanted a hand shower but didn’t want the hose always in the way, hence the retractable model. With all of the controls at one end, it felt too crowded, and the clients actually wanted the shower controls easily accessible for guests and the tub controls tucked out of the way. And there were some space constraints to fit all of these elements into the walls.”
Designer tip. “When using bold patterns or other attention-grabbing elements in a modern design, look for ways to keep the design rigorous and the material palette simple — clarity amid the madness,” Lighthill says. “The wild yellow tile pattern is grounded by the order of the hexagonal layout and the minimal number of other colors and textures in the space — in this case, wood, concrete and chrome, and everything else is white.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The space to run plumbing was super constrained,” Lighthill says. “This is a hillside home, so the ground is directly below the bathroom floor slab and there is a concrete foundation stem wall along the back. This bathroom also sits back-to-back with the primary bath, so there was competition for plumbing space in the walls. When it was time to install the hand shower, there was no readily apparent space for the recessed hose to retract. It ended up where it is in part because it was the only place where there was space for it to dangle below. It actually extends into the framing for the garage ceiling, which steps down the hill to the right in the photos. We had an amazing plumber, Lauren Haynes of Piccolo Plumbing, who was all-in on the design and was brilliant in helping to solve this and other constructability challenges.”
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Designer tip. “When using bold patterns or other attention-grabbing elements in a modern design, look for ways to keep the design rigorous and the material palette simple — clarity amid the madness,” Lighthill says. “The wild yellow tile pattern is grounded by the order of the hexagonal layout and the minimal number of other colors and textures in the space — in this case, wood, concrete and chrome, and everything else is white.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The space to run plumbing was super constrained,” Lighthill says. “This is a hillside home, so the ground is directly below the bathroom floor slab and there is a concrete foundation stem wall along the back. This bathroom also sits back-to-back with the primary bath, so there was competition for plumbing space in the walls. When it was time to install the hand shower, there was no readily apparent space for the recessed hose to retract. It ended up where it is in part because it was the only place where there was space for it to dangle below. It actually extends into the framing for the garage ceiling, which steps down the hill to the right in the photos. We had an amazing plumber, Lauren Haynes of Piccolo Plumbing, who was all-in on the design and was brilliant in helping to solve this and other constructability challenges.”
10 Bathroom Vanity Features Pros Always Recommend
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom vanity stories
Browse and save bathroom photos
Shop for a bathroom vanity
Find home design and remodeling professionals
Designer: Calista Munnell Kruus of Calista Interiors
Location: Orondo, Washington
Size: 56 square feet (5.2 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner wanted a nautical navy-and-white palette for the bath, with a playful tile design that both adult guests and their growing family would love,” says designer Calista Munnell Kruus, whose clients found her on Houzz.
Shower-tub combo details. “The homeowners have three young children, and the decision to keep the shower-tub combo was so that it could accommodate bath time for children and showers for adults and older children as the family grows,” Munnell Kruus says. “We incorporated a handheld spray shower for ease of cleaning both the tub surround and the children.
“I created large horizontal alternating stripes of navy and white on the tub surround to add a wow factor as well as a playful vibe, but without making the tile feel too busy,” Munnell Kruus says. “I used white grout in the shower to make the navy pop and create a cohesive look between the different tile colors.”
Other special features. Blue-gray concrete floor tile. Quartz countertop.
Designer tip. “When creating a dramatic focal point, let it be the star, and keep the other colors and materials subdued so different elements aren’t fighting for attention,” Munnell Kruus says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The penny rounds posed a problem in the niche,” Munnell Kruus says. “I realized that the grout would collect and trap water and soap on the shelf, which could get gross over time. To fix this, I lined the niche with slab and eliminated the grout problem. Now there is one smooth, easily cleanable surface.”
Vanity lights: 4-light in chrome, Millennium Lighting; paint colors: City Loft (walls) and Snowbound (trim), Sherwin-Williams
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