Shower over bath ideas to make the most of your space

After some shower over bath ideas to make the most of the space you have available in your bathroom? You've come to the right place.

Good bathroom design is all about ensuring you are equipping the room with everything you need from a practical perspective, at the same time as creating a space that looks great and is a pleasure to spend time in. This means that you need to work with what you have available and be mindful of the fact that trying to shoehorn in too many fixtures and fittings may well result in a cramped and uncomfortable space.

This is where multitasking items come in handy and there can be no better example of this than placing your shower over your bath. If you are still in any doubt about whether this is the right option for you, our round up of brilliant shower over bath ideas should change your mind.

Shower over bath ideas or a separate enclosure?

There are lots of different bathroom design ideas to consider when planning a new space. You really need to think about who will be using the room in order to get your own design spot on. For example, family bathrooms that will be used by both adults and young children are going to need to work differently than ensuite bathroom ideas.

While many people view the ideal bathroom set-up as a space that includes a basin, toilet, bath and shower enclosure, finding space for the latter two can sometimes be a push. 

"A shower is often essential, but if leisurely soaks in the bath are important too then combine both with an over-bath shower – a space-saving solution when there is not an option to have a separate shower and bath," says Jorge Hernandez, head of design at Bathroom Brands Group.

"Whether your preference is for a freestanding tub or a fitted bath, you can incorporate a shower as well. Consumers are no longer limited with options."

"The design of a shower bath takes up significantly less space than having both a separate bathtub and shower enclosure in your bathroom, allowing you to maximise space and make the room appear bigger," points out Brian Toward, CEO of Wholesale Domestic.

"Shower over bath ideas offer a versatile solution for households, helping them to have the best of both worlds," says Brian, "meaning you can enjoy the convenience of a quick morning shower while also having the option to have longer, more relaxing baths."

Jorge Hernandez

Jorge is passionate about the way design shapes our interaction with the world. He believes designing for the bathroom, a seemingly utilitarian space, is an important necessity that offers the designer plenty of tools to play with including material, colour, and experience.

Brian Toward

Brian Toward has been the Chief Executive Officer at Wholesale Domestic Bathroom Superstore since July 2012. Leading the 60-year-old family business, makes him an expert on making the most out of your bathroom.

1. Maximise shower space with an L-shaped bath

Shower baths are a great idea for those considering their bathtub options in shower over bath ideas. Unlike standard baths, they feature a roomier section at one end to allow more freedom of movement and space when showering.

"The most popular types of shower baths are L-shaped baths and P-shaped baths. L-shaped baths are designed to allow you to have enough room to move around and shower comfortably," says Brian Toward. 

L-shaped baths have crisp lines and suit those after modern bathroom ideas really well.

This L-shaped shower bath from Sanctuary Bathrooms not only has a spacious square section at one end, but it also features a gently sloping back on the opposite end to make bathing more comfortable. For an alternative option take a look at this L-shaped Lomax bath from Better Bathrooms.

2. Inject some glamour with marble finishes

Just because you are forgoing walk-in shower ideas, there is no reason why your bathroom shouldn't look luxurious. After all, combining a shower and bath in one means you will have more space to play with.

Marble finishes instantly add a sense of hotel chic to shower over bath ideas, particularly when used for both walls and floors. This bathroom takes things even further by using a marble finish around the bath too. The large fixed shower head, from Crosswater, further adds to the opulent feel.

3. Have it all with a compact tub

Opting for a compact bath can be a brilliant approach in small bathrooms – and there is a huge range of stylish options now available. Some are deeper than the average bath, while others are designed to take up little space yet still allow users to bathe in comfort. They also lend themselves well to over-bath showers, providing plenty of space to stand.

The Tubby Tub from the Albion Bath Company, shown here, measures 1200mm in length by 675/735mm wide and height 800/940mm overall. This results in a short, compact bath that still allows an average-size person to submerge themselves.

4. Invest in a contemporary shower bath

While it is possible to fit a shower over most types of bath, it really is worth considering some of the newest shower bath models now on offer, designed with luxury in mind. 

Take a look at this offering from Duravit which couldn't fail to add a wow-factor t your shower over bath ideas. It serves as a shower, bathtub, seating and storage area in one. 

It also comes with a glass shower wall, is slip-resistant, has a soft seat at one end and closable tub door which is particularly useful for those with restricted mobility. 

5. Fit a Crittal-style screen for industrial chic

To contain water within your showering area, you will need to fit a shower screen to the wall that your bath is fitted to. There are many different types of shower screen, from those that fold up to those that are hinged. The style of screen that you opt for will have a huge impact on the overall look of your bathroom, so do think through your choice carefully. 

Here, the Easy Clean Matt Black Crittall Bath Screen from Bathroom Mountain, has been combined with their Hereford Square Shower Bath. The screen, which is made with a matt black aluminium profile, pivots open and closed for ease of access. 

6. Combine a fixed shower head with a handset

Knowing how to choose a shower that will be right for you can be tricky as there are many different types to consider, whether you are fitting one over your bath or within a separate enclosure. 

There are five main types of shower you can opt for: handheld, adjustable handheld on a slider rail, fixed (mounted on the wall with concealed pipework), overhead ceiling mounted and designs that combine a range of body jets. There is no reason why you have to pick just one of these though – often a selection of several can work well. 

This set, from Roper Rhodes, is made up of a round rainfall shower head, rounded shower valve levers, an aerating shower handset and an adjustable shower rail – all powered by a sleek concealed mixer valve.

If you are looking for a more contemporary black version, try this Zana black dual outlet shower combination from Better Bathrooms.

7. Go vintage with brushed brass fittings

Using vintage bathroom ideas is a great way to ensure your space feels warm and full of character. 

Brass and copper finishes are the perfect way to achieve this look, as are certain types of wall tiles, such as Metro-style ones in shades of deep green and blue. Use the tiles over the walls within the showering area and opt for a shower screen featuring metallic elements to complete the look.

Here, Matki's Eauzone Two Panel bath screen, in Living Copper, sits perfectly alongside the warm metallics of the shower and other brassware.

8. Keep pipework concealed for a clutter-free finish

The last thing you want from your shower over bath ideas is for them to feel cramped or cluttered. To ensure this doesn't happen, opt for fuss-free fittings. 

A concealed shower, where all pipework is fitted within the walls, is ideal and also turns the shower head into a real statement feature.

Here, the Burlington Guild Concealed Thermostatic Shower Valve and Fixed Shower Head in Nickel, from Drench, helps create a neat and calm feel.

9. Position your towel warmer nearby for convenience

Good bathroom design means a space that is effortless to use and makes life run just a little smoother. When planning out your shower over bath ideas, be sure to think about where you will keep towels. You need them to be close to hand – if you are able to reach them from in the bath itself this is even better.

When looking at ways of heating a bathroom, be sure to include a towel warmer that is big enough for your needs. Locating the towel warmer on the wall at the end of the bath in this space is a great idea that will make things a little easier.

10. Embrace curves and fit a P-shaped shower bath

If you are thinking of including a shower over bath as part of your small bathroom remodel, you should seriously consider a P-shaped bath. Their gentle curves really help make compact rooms feel a little bigger.

"P-shaped baths offer the same functionality as L-shaped baths, but with a curved edge for added aesthetics," explains Brian Toward. 

"A P-shaped bath is a contemporary option that allows for additional space without taking up too much floor space and works really well for families," says Jorge Hernandez.

This BC Designs P-shaped bath from Sanctuary Bathrooms, is available in two sizes (1500mm and 1700mm), and comes in both left and right-handed models.

11. Use the space saved for extra bathroom storage

If your reason behind opting for shower over bath ideas is to save space, then you might also like to consider how you could design the layout to incorporate some handy bathroom storage ideas. 

Knowing how to build a stud wall means you could separate your bath from the rest of the bathroom creating the opportunity for you to position your shower on this wall, and follow this scheme where some useful shelving has been added to the other side. 

12. Consider a floor-mounted shower instead

There is no reason why your shower over bath ideas are restricted to wall mounted shower fittings. For some people, locating a handheld shower on one end of the bath or fitting floor-mounted taps and a shower attachment can work better. 

This is a particularly useful when it comes to family bathroom design as in households with young children it makes hair washing and general hosing down a little less labour intensive. And don't forget how much easier it could make life with dogs who like a good roll in the mud...

Here, the Keswick bath filler from Roper Rhodes is the perfect partner to the rolltop bath it serves.

13. Don't assume a rolltop can't be combined with a shower

Dreaming of completing your traditional bathroom ideas with a rolltop bath but want to include a shower in your bathroom? No problem. There are plenty of ways to do this. 

In some cases, ceiling mounted shower heads directly over a freestanding bath can work well. There are also many styles of rolltop bath that are designed to be fitted up against a wall or in a corner, which make it easy to combine them with a wall-mounted shower.

"Freestanding baths are synonymous with luxury bathing and a statement-making design can complement many bathroom styles," says Jorge Hernandez. "These still work well with overhead showers. 

"Shower heads can be mounted on the ceiling or wall and you can achieve an all-out luxury look with matching finishes across the entire design – for example a brushed bronze shower head that matches other items – from shower screen finishes to statement-making brassware."

14. Make sure your shower bath takes centre stage

Every room should have a focal point of some kind – and that includes the bathroom. A stand-out bath makes the ideal statement item and even those that that feature in shower over bath ideas can be showstoppers in terms of their design. 

The Tubby Torre Dee from the Albion Bath Co. is a great example of this. It has a handy back edge that fits to the wall, bridging the gap between a freestanding and a built-in bath. It also comes with an optional D-shaped curtain rail to turn it into a shower bath.

Q&As

Can any bath be used with an over-bath shower?

While any bath can enjoy an over-bath shower, some designs work better than others. Ideally you want to select a model with a flat base, as opposed to one that slopes in from the sides. This is to minimise the risk of slipping and to maximise standing space. 

In addition, some baths feature a non-slip coating which can be a great idea for over-bath showers. This is something to think about when it comes to your choice of bathroom flooring too. 

Shower curtain vs shower screen: Which is best with over-bath showers?

You will obviously need some kind of barrier between your shower and the rest of the bathroom when fitting an over bath shower and for most people, the choice comes down to a shower curtain or shower screen. But which is best?

A shower bath screen will usually be made of glass and they come in a range of designs. Some are bi-folding, while others simply pivot open and closed. They sit along the side of the tub to keep the showering space enclosed and prevent spray escaping. 

A shower curtain, on the other hand, is a sheet of water-resistant fabric that is hung from a rail above or around the bath. 

Screens tend to be the preferred choice these days as they are long-lasting, easy to wipe clean and, if fitted with good seals and installed properly, highly effective. On the downside, they are more expensive than curtains and can sometimes get in the way when not needed. 

Curtains are a cost-effective option, are easy to fit on a DIY basis and can easily be washed or replaced. However, they can be prone to mould and are known to billow and stick to wet skin. 

Do you really need a bath in your home?

Many people these days decide to forgo a bath altogether, with showering generally seen as a quicker and more effective way of getting clean. But, does removing a bath devalue your home?

It seems that this really does come down to the type of home we are talking about. For example, a smart city apartment aimed at young professionals might well not be adversely affected by the absence of a bath, while a family home will be.