Inspiration for baths with a shower enclosure

In most cases, the bathroom is the smallest room in a house or flat, so the option of having both a bath and a shower enclosure is always welcome. However, there are plenty of great solutions and ideas that will help you make this space perfect.

What to do with the bath?

Having a bath in your bathroom does not mean it has to be a traditional one. Take your pick! For example, if you want a freestanding bath in the middle of the room, don’t be afraid to go for it. It can create a centrepiece that you complement with a shower enclosure. Let’s face it, there are plenty of options, including traditional styles, that you can also use cleverly. The most important thing is to plan everything carefully, and then you may achieve a great result. Remember, though, that there is a whole range of over-bath shower systems, which means you can achieve the luxurious bathroom feel you are after.

P-shaped bath

P-shaped baths are among the biggest modern trends. Their advantage is that they offer more generous space for showering, and when you want a bath, they do not take up the available floor space. They also suit attic bathrooms! They are an excellent solution where a separate shower enclosure is not possible, and for families with small children.

Some baths come with screens, or screens can be added later. They create a seal that stops water escaping, so it does not get splashed all over the floor.

How to choose a bath screen?

The best solution when renovating your bathroom is to buy a bath screen. It consists of one panel that you fix permanently to the bath. A minor drawback is that part of the bath is harder to reach, which makes cleaning more difficult. It is better to buy a movable panel that you can open or fold back against the wall above the bath. In that case, however, the bath mixer tap with shower must be positioned on the long side of the bath. You can also find screens that cover the whole bath, so they effectively create a shower cabin. Modern frameless screens are fixed either permanently with metal brackets or with a vertical profile. Opening models are attached to a post and can swing up to 180°. With these types, however, you need to check in advance whether the space around the bath allows you to use them. In smaller rooms, the obstacle may be a washbasin, for example, which is usually placed right next to the bath, while on the inner side of the bath the screen may hit a shelf or the mixer tap. 

You can also try a cheaper option: painted frames. White is used most often, as it is neutral and goes with all colours of wall and floor tiles. A matt finish that resembles satin is practical. This so-called satin finish is achieved through a chemical process that forms a hard layer on the aluminium surface, which is highly resistant to scratches and harsh cleaning products. Aluminium or chrome finishes look the most luxurious.

Storage

One way to give your bath a luxury spa feel is to surround it with textured stone tiles, ideally split slate or quartz stone. You can also achieve a tidy and elegant look by arranging your toiletries properly. This type of surface deserves more than a wire basket stuck to the wall with suction cups. Go up a level with a niche to display shampoo and shower gel. It is easier than it sounds. Bathrooms often have a false stud wall that hides the plumbing. This recess offers an ideal space to arrange everything you really need to have in the bathroom.