Future proofing the bathroom

I’m looking forward to the grand opening of this bathroom! Doodledog, I think you should choose one of the Gransnetters who you judge to have offered the most helpful advice and allow them to cut the ribbon - and then have a nice bubble bath as their prize.

I'd knock wall down and combine into one room
If you want to retain a bath they now come in all shapes and sizes. Last house we renovated we installed a juccuzi, they don't need to be massive.Loved it. Get some local kitchen/bathroom installers round, they will be familiar with style of house and what others have done. I believe families with young children still want a bath for children to play, have fun in though they probably don't fill it up quite as much as before the energy crisis.

My advice is not to get rid of your bath. If your house is a ‘family home’ , mothers always like to put the kids ( usually 2) in the bath with lots of bubbles, to play around, while she gets their pjs etc ready for bed. That’s what I used to do. A bath is a definite selling point.

I’ve removed a bath before and regretted it. I like baths, and will continue with them as long as I can. Since you have room for a shower as well, I think you should definitely have both. I’m not sure that re-enamelling works very well (but that’s based on research and my bathroom fitters’ opinions, not experience), but you can get new decent cast iron baths for reasonable prices if you shop around (I once bought one four months before my house purchase completed, as it was both lovely and affordable).

Storage wise - depending on what you want to store, of course - would having two almost adjacent sinks and storage underneath work anywhere? I’m surprised how convenient having two sinks is, and how often both are used simultaneously (by us for teeth cleaning when rushing, by grandkids to prevent bickering, for handwashing and rinsing, etc). As with kitchens, drawers are more use than cupboards for a lot of things, including towels if rolled and stood on end.

I like separate loos (not that I have one, sadly) but it’s surprising how much space taking a wall fully or partially down makes.

Can you mess about with an online planner and test some options?

I have hovered about replacing my bath with a walk in shower as I can’t get out of my cast iron one, I can’t pull myself up. However my shower is over the bathI’ve no trouble stepping in or out. I have been looking for a place to move to, but didn’t 7 look at those with a wet room or shower only. I may move, if things got really bad for me. I like a separate loo. I wouldn’t use the loo if someone else was having a bath and wouldn’t like someone using it if I was showering, so it suits me.
I have spent years worrying about things that might happen.

I slipped in the bath in my 40s. I have avoided them ever since and will only have a level entry shower. We do also have two (unused) baths should they appeal to a purchaser.

You can have a walk in bath, I would never get rid of my bath. Prefer a soak any time to a shower. Showers are convenient when in a rush and of course cheaper but to me a bath is sheer bliss.

There isn’t a problem with the door, other than that there are two of them and doors do take up space. I did wonder about getting a pocket door if I combine the two rooms, but I don’t know if it would get in the way of plumbing or wiring.

The reason I’d like to keep the bath is that I like having them . That’s as good a reason as any really, if I can also incorporate alternatives for if getting in and out becomes difficult. If not, then I will bite the bullet, but as I keep saying, at this stage I am thinking through the options before getting someone in, so if what I decide I’d like isn’t possible I have considered the alternatives.

Certainly get rid of the bath.

I don't really understand your problem with the space in the separate toilet. Does the door open inwards? If so, could it be replaced by a sliding door, if you want to keep the separate toilet compartment? Sliding doors are also easier to manage if either of you should need a rollator or a wheelchair later on.

Before planning the bathroom, check with the local district nurse what the regulations are regarding space in and around a walk-in-shower if you need help taking a shower later on.

Also plan the shower so there is room and access for a wheel-chair, and have a bath stool fitted too.

Hand-basin and toilet should be the kind that can be raised or lowered if that is needed later. Taps at the basin should either turn on and off automatically, or have levers that are easy to manage if hands or wrists weaken.

Make sure the floor is non-slip.

We revamped the main bathroom by removing the bath with shower and replacing it with a large walk in shower, much liked by visitors as well as me. DH refused to shower so we kept the bath in the en suite and he had a complicated bath lift whose only disadvantage was that the bath needed to be fairly full. It meant that bed times became hard work for me but we got a lot of laughs out of it too. Bath lift went to a local charity so we just have an ordinary bath, never used.

I would keep a separate loo. You do need a separate loo if you are having a bath.
There is a style of loo which has a small washbasin in the top of the cistern which then drains down into the loo and saves water. GS has one of these. It is very neat and space saving

Consolidate the two spaces into one area. The biggest expense of a remodel is the relocation of plumbing lines say, to accommodate a toilet (loo) in the new space. But definitely get the loo where it belongs!

A walk-in shower with a sliding glass door is convenient and safe for seniors. The new doors are easy to clean, being smooth on the inside (for wipedowns) and pebbled on the outside for a refracted look. Make sure you shower has grab bars around waist level.

I find the open concept wet room shower to be too cold and airy - when I want to get the chill out of my bones. An enclosed shower will capture the water’s heat.

Contractors are designers also and can give you much needed storage space modules.
You will love your new bathroom!
USA Gundy

We had our bathroom revamped a few years ago.. We retained the bath but had a lower height and slightly shorter than the standard size. We had a shower fitted into the corner which is fine . When DH was very poorly post surgery and not allowed to get his complicated abdominal dressing wet, he was able to sit on a seat across the bath to wash his feet and legs . But since his death , I have had a hip replacement and awaiting another, the bath is used only when the GC stay, and even they often opt for showers . I will keep the bath though, it’s useful for the airer to stand in to dry washing and too much of a faff to change into a full length walk in.

I had my bath removed and the layout changed. The bath was under the window, so the shower couldn’t be put in the same position. It entailed moving the loo and the basin which was a bit difficult but do-able. It was the best thing I’ve done!

I also had the bathroom door altered to open outwards, it gave me more room in the bathroom and also for safety. When my husband was alive he fell in the bathroom and got trapped behind the door, which was so stressful.

It gives me peace of mind to know that now I live on my own if I were to fall the door can be opened easily to get me out.

These days, although very mobile, showers over the bath terrify me. It’s so very easy to slip, and getting out of the bath is a problem…
My new shower is my pride and joy!

Future proofing our bathing facilities for possible disabilities before we need to is the smart thing to do as we get older. Access problems can become critical suddenly. Also it becomes more difficult and exhausting to have any work done as we get older. If you are having work done on your bathroom now I would definitely think ahead and prioritize an accessible shower, whatever else you may have to compromise on. Since you love a bath, maybe you can manage both but I don't believe having a bath or not having a bath is key to selling a house.

Work in progress but plenty of storage

you can get a bath with an opening door so you don't have to climb over the full height of a bath if you want to combine the two into one. Personally I would move it so the bath/shower is not under the window for a bit more privacy if you can be overlooked. You can see a body through frosted glass if there is a light on.

We have just finished up a complete bathroom renovation. Got rid of the bath that we never used and changed it to a big walk in shower.We were thinking ahead to when getting into the over the bath shower became to difficult. We changed the vanity to a much longer one with loads of space and drawers.Could you add a tower to the vanity to add more storage? It is gorgeous and we have no regrets about loosing the bath. My real estate friend says if someone really want to buy the house in years to come the lack of a bath wouldn’t prevent the sale, it would not be a huge job to remove the shower and add a bath.Good luck making the decisions, I really enjoyed shopping in the bathroom show rooms and getting loads of ideas.

This is the shower we had put in our en suite, large shower head obscured. Similar tiling to the one shown, smaller room though but we do have the drawers under the basin. Because we had a big step up with the shower previously there, I wanted mine completely flat. We do have a bigger family bathroom and I agree taking a bath out isn't wise, our children and grandchildren when they were little only ever wanted a bath not a shower.

I don’t know why but I’m enjoying your thread immensely, Doodledog even though I’m not in the market for any renovations.

I have replaced bathrooms in the past and these are some points I learned. Have a back-to-wall loo which conceals the cistern (get the joiner to make the countertop removable for access) and pipes.

Wall hung storage units mean there are no legs to clean around. I went for waterproof panelling instead of tiles. There’s no grouting to discolour and there are many styles to choose from, plus it’s quicker to install.

Do away with skirting boards, have the tiles/panelling come right down to the floor, again for easier cleaning.

Have a lighted mirror - it will transform your life! 😂

I’m reluctant to go down the walk-in bath route at this stage. Putting it as tactfully as possible, they are not likely to appeal to anyone but older people and the disabled, so I think would affect resale options if we wanted to sell. We don’t foresee doing so for a while, however, so I’m not letting resale get in the way too much, as I can still get in and out of the bath easily (I’m 64). My caution is around spending ££££ on a layout that might only be useful for a few years if my arthritis gets worse.

I agree that keeping the loo where it is is a better option than moving it, and am moving towards the idea of a flatbed shower across the space where the bathroom door is now. If the company can re-enamel the bath I have I’d go for that option too, I think, as it is a deep, large bath, and cast iron keeps the heat well.

I’m keeping everyone’s ideas in mind, though, so please keep them coming, and feel free to join in if you are embarking on bathroom-related activities yourself.

🤗 PinkCosmos.
You got the getting out bit, I got the getting in. Team work!

We had a shower over the bath, and when refitting the bathroom I insisted that we retained a bath. Everyone told me it was pointless as we rarely used it, but I had a little fantasy of myself relaxing in a lovely big candle lit bath, and OH being able to soak his aching limbs after gardening. Of course, we carried on as always, having a quick shower, and the one occasion that I indulged in a deep bath - no candles, not enough time - I realised we needed a walk in shower. OH was by then having trouble with his knee, and stoically struggled to climb into the bath/shower as it was what I had wanted. It wasn't alarmingly expensive to change the bath for a big walk in shower tray and glass screen to the floor. What a delight - so easy, so safe, and the only downside was the crowing of several family members ; 'Seee? I told you so'.

I used to have a shower over bath but I’ve got arthritis and I slipped one day and hurt myself badly because I was struggling to get out the bath. I’ve since downsized. I’m now in a bungalow with a wet room and it’s great showers are more hygienic anyway and I don’t miss my huge house or bath