How to Separate a Shower and Bath in a Small Bathroom

Hey there! If you‘re like most people, finding enough room for both a shower and bathtub in your small bathroom can feel downright impossible. But with some clever planning and design tricks, you can enjoy the best of both bathing worlds, even in a compact space. As an expert in home renovation with over 10 years of experience, I‘ve helped hundreds of clients fit separate showers and tubs into tight bathrooms. Let me share my best tips and ideas with you!

Evaluate Your Needs First

Before picking up a hammer, take some time to think about how you want to use your new bathroom. Here are some key questions to ask yourself:

• Do you take more baths or showers on a regular basis?
• Will you need a bathtub for bathing young children or pets?
• How often will you have overnight guests who need to use the bathroom?
• Do you prefer long, relaxing soaks in the tub or quick showers?

Knowing the answers will help guide your design plans. If showers are your thing, you may opt for a larger shower stall and smaller tub. Frequent overnight guests may mean you need ample space for both fixtures.

Carefully Measure the Room

Now it‘s time to break out the measuring tape! Be sure to measure every dimension of your bathroom, including:

• Length and width of walls
• Distance from walls to fixtures like toilets and sinks
• Location of plumbing and drain lines
• Doorway widths

Accounting for building codes is also essential. For example, plumbing codes require:

• 21” clearance in front of sinks and toilets
• 24” clearance in front of bathtubs
• 32-36” walkways between fixtures

With measurements in hand, sketch out some layout options using graph paper or home design software. This will give you a feel for what‘s possible in the space.

Consider a Tub/Shower Combo

If you‘re really pressed for space, replacing your shower and tub with a tub/shower combination unit can be a lifesaver. These handy fixtures give you the functionality of both a tub and a shower in one.

Some great features to look for include:

• Built-in seats – Allow you to sit while shaving legs or bathing
• Low thresholds – Make entering and exiting safer and easier
• Sliding glass doors – Contain water spray with a sleek look
• Corner units – Fit nicely into tight spaces

Approximately one third of homeowners choose tub/shower combos when remodeling compact bathrooms. Just be sure to verify the unit‘s dimensions during planning.

Divide with a Partition

One of the simplest ways to delineate shower and tub zones is by installing a partition. Curtains, glass doors, and walls can all effectively separate the areas.

Shower Curtains

• Inexpensive – Shower curtains start around $20.
• Look for curved rods – These provide more interior space.
• Choose vinyl over fabric – Vinyl resists mold and mildew.

Glass Doors

• Frameless is in – Frameless doors give a clean, modern look.
• Semi-frameless is cheaper – Metal framing only on one side.
• Account for width – Doors are usually 3/8" to 1/2" thick.

Wall Partition

• Create an alcove – Use a half wall for the shower area.
• Try glass block – Obscures view while allowing light.
• Factor in ventilation – May need mechanical ventilation.

Any of these options can help carve out separate bathing zones, even in the same footprint.

Get Smart with Fixtures

Today‘s bath fixtures are designed with small spaces in mind. Here are some great space-saving options to look for:

• Detachable showerheads – Easily switch from showering to tub bathing.
• Adjustable tub fillers – Allow for showering too.
• Offset vanities – Gain a few extra inches of space.
• Floating vanities – Remove bulky cabinets from the floor.
• Vessel sinks – Sit on the counter, not in it.
• Corner tubs – Fit perfectly into angled corners.

Little design tweaks like these can have a big impact in tight quarters.

Rethink Toilet & Sink Placement

When dealing with a confined footprint, even the toilet and sink placement comes into play. Some ideas to consider:

• Switch the sink to a different wall.
• Use a pedestal sink instead of a vanity.
• Recess the toilet into an alcove.
• Shift the toilet closer to the bathtub.

Just be sure to maintain proper clearance zones. Sinks need 21" in front and toilets require 12" clearance on each side.

Mirrors Make Rooms Feel Larger

Here‘s an easy renovation trick – install strategically placed mirrors to make your bathroom feel more spacious.

• Hang a floor length mirror across from the shower and/or tub. This visually doubles the space.
• Choose a backpainted mirror for the sink area. This allows soft, diffused light to fill the room.
• Add a mirrored medicine cabinet. In addition to storage, the reflection enlarges the feel of the room.

When planning placement, be sure mirrors don’t directly face windows. This can create blinding light reflections.

Use Light Colors & Materials

Color choices and materials also influence how large a small bathroom feels. Some ideas:

• Paint walls/ceiling/trim light colors – White or light gray work beautifully.
• Glossy subway tile – Reflects light well on shower/tub walls.
• Natural stone tiles – Provides color without darkness.
• Glass mosaic accents – Adds sparkle and visual interest.
• Large-scale patterns – Can overwhelm a petite room, use sparingly.
• Lighter grout colors – Makes tile patterns recede; avoid dark grout.

Lighter colors paired with reflective materials will make your bathroom feel bright and expansive.

Add Storage Everywhere

Now let‘s talk storage – you can never have enough in a small bathroom! Here are some excellent ways to tuck away all those toiletries and accessories:

• Built-in shelving – Great for alcove walls or awkward nooks.
• Over toilet cabinets – Take advantage of dead space.
• Under sink organizers – Use otherwise wasted space.
• Recessed niches – For shampoo, soap, and more.
• Towel bars – Install on walls and the back of doors.
• Free standing cabinet – Provides counter space and storage.

Getting everything off the counter and into covered storage makes even the tiniest bathroom feel uncluttered.

Select Slimmer Fixtures

When working with a petite bathroom, every inch truly counts. Choosing slender fixtures and vanities can make a surprising difference:

• Floating vanities – Gain floor space by ditching bulky cabinets.
• Vessel sinks – Sit on top of counters instead of recessing into them.
• Corner tubs – Range from compact 2-person to indulgent corner models.
• Slim toilets – New compact models protrude less into the room.
• Narrow faucets – Don’t obstruct sinks; handheld showerheads save space.

It’s well worth measuring fixtures and opting for the slimmest silhouettes that will meet your needs.

Adjust the Lighting Layout

Proper lighting transforms small bathrooms from claustrophobic to welcoming. Strategic light placement includes:

• Windows & skylights – Draw in natural light to make rooms feel open and airy.
• Recessed cans – Provide overall ambient lighting.
• Undercabinet strip lighting – Illuminates sink and counter work areas.
• Sconces – Install on walls to provide task lighting and style.
• Accent lighting – Small fixtures provide dramatic effect over tub/shower.
• Dimmer switches – Enable adjusting light levels to suit activities and moods.

With layered light sources, your petite bath will feel bright, expansive, and welcoming!

Incorporate Multipurpose Furniture

One last space-saving trick is to bring in furniture that serves dual purposes:

• Sink cabinets – Cabinetry fitted with a sink adds counter space and storage.
• Armoires – Fitted with a sink top or countertop, doors conceal contents.
• Corner sinks/vanities – Make use of angled empty corners.

With some creativity, furniture can provide extra function and storage in tight spaces.

While it may seem impossible to fit separate shower and tub areas into your small bathroom, it can absolutely be done with careful planning and strategic design decisions. Evaluating your needs, measuring carefully, and selecting space-saving fixtures and furnishing will allow you to make the most of what you‘ve got.

Creative use of partitions, mirrors, lighting, and colors will also lend the illusion of a larger, airier space. With a bit of ingenuity and elbow grease, you‘ll be relaxing in a tub and revitalizing in a shower in no time – even in a formerly cramped bathroom. Best of luck with your renovation! Let me know if you have any other questions.