Short on space but want a soak and a great shower? Here’s how Joyce Kitchens designs a practical, beautiful bathtub shower combo for small spaces across Perth and WA—without compromising comfort, storage or style.
Why choose a bathtub–shower combo?
A bathtub shower combo for small spaces gives you the best of both worlds: a proper bath for relaxing or bathing kids, and a full shower for everyday use. It’s a proven solution for ensuites, family bathrooms and powder rooms with a shower-over-bath where a separate shower and tub won’t fit.
Benefits
- Space efficiency: an alcove bath with an over‑bath shower screen uses the same footprint as a standard bath (typically 1500–1700 mm long).
- Budget friendly: less tiling, plumbing and waterproofing than separate zones.
- Resale appeal: buyers expect at least one tub in many WA homes.
- Easy to clean: one wet area to maintain, especially with frameless or semi‑frameless screens.
Typical Australian sizes
- Bath length: 1500–1700 mm; width: 700–800 mm.
- Comfortable minimum bathroom for a shower bath: ~1700 × 2000 mm (layout dependent).
- Over‑bath screen: 850–1000 mm wide; height ~1450–1500 mm from bath rim.
In Australia, a “shower bath” or “bathroom shower tub” is a standard bathtub fitted with a shower above and a protective screen or curtain, creating one compact wet area.
Small bathroom design tips that work in Australia
Choose the right bath shape
- Rectangular inset bath with a tiled hob: classic, cost‑effective and sturdy for showering.
- Back‑to‑wall or inset acrylic bath: warmer underfoot, lighter for upper‑storey installs.
- L‑ or P‑shaped shower baths: flare at the shower end for extra elbow room.
Safer, more comfortable over‑bath showers
- Slip‑resistant floor tiles (AS 4586 R10/P3 minimum recommended for wet areas).
- Hob height 80–120 mm for easy step‑over and better water containment.
- Install a grab rail and a bath ledge/seat for kids or ageing in place.
- WELS 3–4 star shower heads balance flow with water savings.
- Ventilation to meet NCC requirements; consider a humidity‑sensing exhaust.
The Australian Standard for waterproofing domestic wet areas. Your bathroom must be waterproofed to AS/NZS 3740 and installed by qualified trades.
We also coordinate adjoining spaces—laundry redesign or a compact linen cabinet—to free up bathroom storage. Our custom cabinetry WA team integrates soft‑close drawers, handleless cabinetry and mirrored medicine cabinets to keep benches clear.
Semantic style cues borrowed from popular kitchen design—think a shaker kitchen–inspired vanity door, timber veneer accents, stone splashback looks, or brushed nickel tapware—translate beautifully to bathrooms for a cohesive home.
Compliance and best practice are non‑negotiable. See guidance from the HIA, Master Builders WA and the Australian Building Codes Board.
Our renovation process (Perth & WA)
- In‑home consult and site measure: We map plumbing, GPOs, window heights and existing falls to the floor waste or linear drain.
- Concept design: Layout options for your shower bath AU, storage, lighting and ventilation.
- Selections: Baths, screens (frameless or semi‑frameless), tapware finishes (matte black tapware or brushed nickel), tiles and vanity tops.
- Fixed‑price proposal: Clear inclusions and timeline.
- Build: Demolition, plumbing and electrical rough‑in, compliant waterproofing (AS/NZS 3740), tiling, fit‑off, final clean.
- Handover: Care guide and warranties.
Managing a larger project? We often renovate kitchens and bathrooms together for economies of scale—ideal if you’re planning a scullery or butler’s pantry alongside kitchen renovations Perth.
Materials and finishes that last
Bath materials
- Acrylic: warm touch, light weight, good for upper floors.
- Steel enamel: very durable surface, cooler to the touch, requires careful handling during install.
Over‑bath screens
- Frameless shower screen: minimal hardware, easiest to clean, premium look.
- Semi‑frameless shower screen: great value, slim perimeter frame adds rigidity.
- Fixed panel + pivot or sliding options to suit door clearances.
Vanity benchtops: comparison
Note: Traditional engineered stone with high crystalline silica is banned in Australia. We specify safe, compliant alternatives such as porcelain/sintered stone and solid surface. The comparison below is provided for historical context and selection guidance alongside laminate benchtops.
| Property | Engineered Stone Benchtop (legacy context) | Laminate Benchtop |
|---|---|---|
| Look & feel | Stone‑like patterns, seamless modern look | Huge range incl. marble and timber effects |
| Moisture resistance | Excellent surface resistance | Very good with quality substrate and edging |
| Heat resistance | Good; use trivets near hair tools/appliances | Moderate; avoid direct heat |
| Budget | Higher | Most budget‑friendly |
| Current WA use | Restricted/banned; consider porcelain or solid surface | Widely available, design‑flexible |
Good‑looking, tough finishes for small spaces
- Tiles: light colours, larger formats reduce grout lines; feature niches keep bottles off the rim.
- Cabinetry: moisture‑resistant boards, timber veneer highlights, soft‑close drawers for tight circulation.
- Tapware: matte black or brushed nickel tapware suit modern or coastal schemes.
- Lighting: task lighting at the mirror, LED strip lighting in niches for night‑time visibility.
- Heating: underfloor heating adds comfort in winter without crowding the room.
A recessed shelf built into the wall, often in the shower end of a bath, for shampoos and soap—saves clutter and keeps the rim clear.
Layouts and styles for compact bathrooms
Layouts that work
- Alcove layout: bath between three walls with over‑bath screen—our most common small‑space solution.
- Back‑to‑wall bath with a single glazed panel to stop spray—great for narrow rooms.
- Wet room concept: if access is a priority, a walk‑in shower with a compact freestanding bath can work in slightly larger rooms.
Style direction
- Modern coastal: sandy tones, brushed nickel tapware, light timber vanity.
- Heritage WA: a shaker‑style vanity door nods to your shaker kitchen, with patterned floor tiles.
- Minimal luxe: frameless glass, micro‑bevel wall tiles, warmed by timber veneer and layered lighting.
Costs and timeframes in Perth
- Supply & install shower‑over‑bath (replace like‑for‑like): typically $2,500–$6,500 depending on bath, screen and tapware.
- Small bathroom renovation with shower bath: commonly $15,000–$30,000+ in Perth/WA, driven by tile choice, plumbing moves, and cabinetry.
- Timeline: Allow 2–3 weeks for a straightforward refit; 3–5 weeks for full strip‑out, replumb, rewire and retile.
Every home is different—older WA properties may need leveling, new wastes or asbestos‑safe removal methods. We scope all of this before you commit.
Quick WA case studies
North Perth bungalow, 1.7 × 2.3 m family bathroom
We installed a 1600 mm inset acrylic bath with a semi‑frameless screen, a compact shaker‑style vanity with a laminate benchtop, and a mirrored cabinet. Result: more storage, brighter room, and a safer step‑over for kids.
Fremantle apartment ensuite, 2.0 × 2.0 m
Back‑to‑wall bath, fixed frameless panel, matte black tapware and a porcelain top vanity. Linear drain at the entry manages occasional splash; acoustic underlay reduced transfer to neighbours below.
Practical planning checklist
- Measure wall‑to‑wall length for bath: aim for 1500–1700 mm.
- Confirm window height and sill position at the shower end.
- Decide on screen type: frameless or semi‑frameless; swing or slide clearance.
- Nominate tap/shower positions: rail vs ceiling arm; hand shower for flexibility.
- Select slip‑resistant floor tiles and consider a bath‑end grab rail.
- Ventilation: exhaust fan sized to room volume; duct outside, not into roof void.
- Storage: mirrored cabinet, niche, vanity with soft‑close drawers.
- Benchtop: laminate benchtop, porcelain/sintered or solid surface (engineered stone ban applies).
- Lighting: task + ambient; add LED strip lighting to niches or under‑vanity.
- Schedule: allow bathroom downtime; plan a temporary shower if needed.
Why Joyce Kitchens
From kitchen renovations Perth to bathroom, laundry and wardrobe design, Joyce Kitchens delivers end‑to‑end design, custom manufacture and installation across WA. Our designers coordinate cabinetry, tiling and licensed trades so your bathroom shower tub solution looks good and performs for years.
FAQ
What size bathroom suits a bathtub shower combo?
A practical minimum is around 1700 × 2000 mm, depending on door swing, window and vanity depth. With smart design, a 1500–1600 mm bath, slimline vanity and a semi‑frameless screen can work comfortably.
Is a shower‑over‑bath safe for kids and older adults?
Yes—choose a lower hob (80–120 mm), slip‑resistant tiles, a grab rail and a hand shower. Consider a wider fixed panel for splash control and a bath ledge or small seat at the shower end for stability.
What are the best materials for an over‑bath screen and vanity in WA?
Use toughened safety glass for frameless or semi‑frameless over‑bath screens, moisture‑resistant cabinetry, and benchtops like laminate, porcelain/sintered stone or solid surface. Traditional engineered stone is banned; we’ll guide you to compliant alternatives.
How much does a small bathroom with a shower bath cost in Perth?
Allow $15,000–$30,000+ for a full small‑bathroom renovation including a shower‑over‑bath. A like‑for‑like bath and screen swap typically ranges from $2,500–$6,500, subject to selections and site conditions.
How long will installation take, and can I use the bathroom during works?
Simple replacements take about a week; full renovations take 2–5 weeks. You’ll lose bathroom access during waterproofing and tiling, so plan a temporary setup or stagger works if you have multiple bathrooms.