Luxurious Tub Inside Shower Designs To Pamper Yourself
There's nothing more indulgent than a relaxing soak in a warm bubble bath. But who wants to drag themselves out of the tub just to shower afterward? By combining a bathtub and shower in one space, you can design a bathroom oasis that's convenient and oh so luxurious.
Tub inside shower designs provide the best of both bathing worlds. Switch effortlessly between a tranquil tub soak and a refreshing shower without leaving your spot. It's a pampering experience that you could get used to.
Types of Tubs for Indoor Showers
When designing a tub inside shower combo, the first decision is choosing a tub type. Freestanding tubs deliver a spa-worthy style, while alcove and corner tubs maximize space efficiency.
Freestanding Tubs
For a modern, high-end look, a freestanding tub can be the centerpiece of your indoor tub and shower layout. These tubs have a sculptural quality that makes a statement. Place a free-standing tub adjacent to your open shower area for a luxury hotel vibe. Go contemporary with gleaming white or relax in an antique-inspired clawfoot tub.
Freestanding tubs give you flexibility in placement too. Orient it to overlook a soothing view or tuck it into an unused corner. Just leave access to get in and out.
Alcove Tubs
Prefer your tub built seamlessly into the shower space? Alcove tubs are recessed into a niche in the wall, often surrounded by tile. This creates a unified, streamlined effect for a squeaky clean modern or traditional bathroom design. If your shower and tub share a wall, creating an alcove for your tub maintains the openness.
For easy cleaning, ensure alcove tubs have tile extending down to the floor without awkward gaps. Carpenter level precision when installing is a must. Access to the tub hardware behind the wall is also essential.
Corner Tubs
Corner tubs can be a perfect fit when angled smartly. The diagonal shape lets you wedge a tub into an unused corner. It'll connect to the back and side walls while opening at an angle to the room. This is great for small bathrooms but works with spacious ones too.
Corner tub designs range from modern squared-off corners to elegantly curved. Whichever you choose, be sure to allow enough clearance so you can comfortably enter and exit. Complement with corner shower heads or doors that seamlessly tie the spaces together.
Shower and Tub Separation Options
For safety and water containment, most tub-shower combos incorporate some division between the wet areas. Glass, curtains, and open curbless designs each impart a different vibe.
Glass Enclosures
A glass surround provides an airy division between shower and tub. Frameless glass makes the smallest spaces feel open, while metal-framed glass panels offer more traditional charm. For timeless elegance, opt for etched glass or add decorative tiles.
Though it comes with a higher price tag, glass has a clean, upscale look. Continuing glass tiles or accent stripes on walls or floors creates a united motif. With the transparency, your glamorous tub stays part of the scene.
Shower Curtains
A whimsical shower curtain dangling from a curved rod can save space and money compared to glass. Go vintage with a ruffled fabric curtain surrounding just the tub portion. Or enclose both areas in an extrawide swinging shower curtain.
Make sure curtain rods have a solid bracket mount and durable finish. Fabric shower curtains require consistent laundering, so ensure they're easily removable. For billowy fullness, select extra-long curtains and hang them high and wide.
Curbless Showers
For a completely unimpeded indoor tub and shower, consider a curbless design. Without walls or divisions, the shower flows openly into the bathtub area. This creates an accessible, easy-access style.
Curbless doesn't necessarily mean puddle-prone. Proper drainage and anti-slip textures keep water where it belongs. Though open, stylish linear drains can divide zones while maintaining the continuous feel. Just ensure bathers keep shower spray aimed away from the tub soak zone.
Design Considerations
To make your tub-shower interior design dreams a reality, tailor choices to your space, lifestyle, and budget.
Bathroom Size
Tub or shower, big or small--what fits in your bathroom? Measure carefully to ensure your planned layout accommodates a tub, shower area, and walking space. Small baths can feel indulgent with clever corner tub and glass enclosure combos. For sprawling master suites, skylights and heated floors turn up the luxury.
Personal Style
Do you crave a sleek contemporary vibe or traditional charm? The finishes, colors, and accessories you choose create the mood. Matte black tub and hardware, gray stone tile, and a frameless glass surround set a luxe modern scene. Or go for vintage luxury with a clawfoot tub, ruffled curtain, and ornate sconces.
Budget
Tubs, tile, and glass enclosures add up. Having a budget helps balance special splurges with money-saving DIY tasks. Comparison shop materials from tub models to fixtures. A skilled contractor can further help navigate cost-effective options.
For big savings, refinish an existing tub in on-trend colors. Repaint existing tile or get crafty with peel-and-stick options. Prefab tub surround kits also minimize installation time and headaches.
Cleaning and Maintenance
An indoor tub and shower needs to stand up to daily use. Choose durable finishes that won't easily chip, stain, or mold. Glass enclosures require thorough squeegeeing after showering to prevent water spots and soap buildup. Similarly, shower curtains need frequent laundering.
Consider slip-resistant tub and shower floors, especially for households with kids or elderly members. This prevents dangerous slips. Proper caulking and sealing during and post install prevents leaks or water escaping the wet areas.
Luxury Features
Why stop at the basics when you can pamper yourself with opulent tub-shower extras?
Smart Home Technology
With smart home tech, easily set the mood in your in-shower tub retreat. Activate voice-controlled lighting to illuminate the space in your desired hue. Integrate wireless music streaming to surround yourself in relaxing sounds.
Take relaxation up a notch by programming voice-activated temperature controls. Let the tub fill to the ideal temp and keep the airflow just right with smart ventilation. Your bathroom oasis is only a voice command away.
Natural Lighting
Natural light instantly makes any bathroom feel more inviting and airy. For your tub and shower combo, consider skylights or privacy-frosted windows to let the sunshine in. Not only is natural light aesthetically pleasing, it can help energy efficiency too.
Aim for north or south-facing windows to get soft, indirect natural light. Position fixtures and glass enclosures to maximize visibility of any views. The natural glow makes bathing feel even more tranquil.
Aromatherapy
Inhaling relaxing aromas is a pampering pleasure. Include an aromatherapy diffuser or essential oil system in your tub and shower space. Add calming scents like lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus to turn bathing into a spa ritual.
High-end custom designs even incorporate oil dispensers right into tub and shower fixtures. Turn on the eucalyptus mist setting and breath deep while water streams down like summer rain. Ahhhh!
Customized Lighting
Make any mood come alive with dynamic programmable lighting. Install color-changing LED fixtures to create a personalized bathing experience. Cool blues and greens evoke an ocean vibe. Warm sunset tones relax and unwind.
Splurge on fixtures with adjustable intensities too. Dim to low for a candlelit soak or brighten for task lighting while showering. The lighting possibilities are endless for your dream tub-shower escape.
Tubs inside showers combine the best of both bathing worlds into one convenient, indulgent space. With options from alcove to freestanding tubs and glass to curtain enclosures, the design choices are plentiful. Tailor the details to your personal style and vision of luxury.
Once your in-shower tub oasis is complete, take time to soak in the pampering. No need to rush your self-care routine again. Let the warm water relax surround you as you emerge feeling refreshed and blissfully renewed.