Considering a modern bathtub–shower for your Perth home? Here’s how Joyce Kitchens designs practical, beautiful bathrooms that work for families, guests and downsizers—while aligning with WA standards and your budget.
Why choose a modern bathtub–shower combo?
A bathtub shower modern setup—often called a shower bath tub combo—lets you bathe younger kids and enjoy quick, water-efficient showers within the same footprint. For compact bathrooms, townhouses or investment properties, it’s a smart way to add flexibility without extending.
A single bathtub with an integrated shower, typically enclosed with a frameless or semi-frameless safety glass screen.
Core design insights for a better result
1) Safety and compliance first
- Waterproof to AS 3740 (Internal Wet Areas), including hob details and penetrations.
- Choose floor tiles with slip resistance tested to AS 4586, especially near the bath lip.
- Specify WELS-rated showerheads and mixers to reduce water use without sacrificing comfort.
Australia’s national Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme that helps you compare water use of taps, showers and toilets.
2) Make the screen work for you
Frameless or semi-frameless screens with a pivot or sliding panel keep water in and cleaning simple. A fixed panel plus a swing-return is popular for family bathrooms.
3) Don’t forget storage and ergonomics
Recessed niches, a nib wall for soaps, and a wall-hung vanity keep essentials handy. Step-over height for an adult-friendly bath is typically 450–520 mm; pair with a slip-resistant bath base or applied mat.
4) Double shower bathtub ideas
When clients ask for a double shower bathtub, the best practice in WA is a twin-shower wet zone beside a separate freestanding bath. Two shower heads above one tub lead to overspray and awkward heights; a dual-shower area plus an adjacent bath gives luxury and safety.
Our renovation process (Perth and surrounds)
- In-home measure and brief: We assess plumbing, fall-to-waste and ventilation, and note any NCC/AS considerations.
- Design and selections: We prepare layout options, vanity styles, tiles, tapware and lighting (correct IP ratings near wet zones).
- Quotation and timeline: Clear inclusions, PC sums and a fixed-price proposal. We follow HIA contract frameworks.
- Build and install: Trusted trades handle demolition, waterproofing, tiling, plumbing and electrical to WA standards.
- Handover: We provide waterproofing and compliance certificates and care guides.
Ingress Protection rating that indicates resistance to water. Choose suitable IP zones for lights near baths and showers.
Materials and finishes that last in WA
Baths
- Acrylic: Warm to touch, lighter to install, affordable; look for reinforced bases.
- Pressed steel with enamel: Durable and scratch-resistant; slightly cooler feel.
Shower screens
Frameless or semi-frameless toughened safety glass at 10 mm thickness is a sleek, easy-clean choice. Consider a floor-to-ceiling panel to reduce steam drift in winter.
Walls and floors
- Porcelain tiles or large-format panels reduce grout lines—ideal for quick clean-downs.
- Feature splashback tiles can echo your kitchen palette for a cohesive look through open-plan living.
Vanities and benchtops
- Laminate benchtops: Cost-effective, huge design range; great for rental and family bathrooms.
- Porcelain/sintered stone: Heat, stain and UV resistant; superb for vanities.
- Solid surface: Seamless look and easy repairs around undermount sinks.
Man-made stone previously used for benchtops (e.g., some Caesarstone products). From 1 July 2024, high-silica engineered stone is prohibited in Australia. Ask us about compliant alternatives such as porcelain or solid surface.
Material comparison: Engineered Stone (legacy) vs Laminate
| Feature | Engineered Stone (legacy installs) | Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Look and feel | Stone-like appearance; wide patterns | Huge decor range, realistic stone/timber looks |
| Moisture/heat | Good stain resistance; avoid high heat | Very good moisture resistance; use trivets for heat |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance, non-porous | Low maintenance; easy to replace if damaged |
| Compliance in AU | New high‑silica products prohibited nationwide (from 1 July 2024) | Fully compliant; widely used in bathrooms and kitchens |
| Typical use today | Service/repair of existing, not for new installs | Popular for vanities, laundries and kitchens |
For new projects, we specify laminate, porcelain/sintered stone or solid surface to meet current Australian requirements.
Tapware and hardware
PVD-finished tapware resists corrosion in coastal WA. Inside vanities, we use quality soft-close drawers and Blum hardware for long life.
Physical Vapour Deposition—an advanced, hard-wearing coating applied to tapware for superior durability.
Layouts and styles for Australian bathrooms
Great layouts for a shower bath tub combo
- Compact family bathroom: 1700 mm acrylic bath with fixed + swing screen, wall niche, wall-hung vanity and a linear drain for easy cleaning.
- Wet room feel: Slightly larger space with a frameless screen and tiled hob, keeping water contained while minimising visual clutter.
- Double shower bathtub layout: Twin-shower zone (1200–1600 mm) adjacent to a freestanding bath, separated by glass or a nib wall.
Popular styles we deliver
- Contemporary coastal: Porcelain terrazzo-look tiles, matte-white vanity fronts, brushed nickel tapware.
- Classic with a twist: Wall panelling and shaker-profile cabinetry echoing your shaker kitchen, with modern black fixtures.
- Minimal luxe: Large-format stone-look porcelain, wall-hung vanity with two-pack cabinetry fronts and integrated LED mirror.
Real WA examples
Dalkeith family renovation: We replaced a cramped shower with a modern shower-over-bath and a wall-hung vanity. The cohesive palette mirrored their kitchen renovations Perth project—white two-pack doors, soft-close drawers and porcelain benchtops—for a seamless whole-home aesthetic.
Scarborough apartment ensuite: Space was tight, so we used a 1500 mm steel bath with a frameless panel, linear drain and a compact vanity with undermount sink. The palette aligned with vinyl wrap doors and splashback tiles chosen for the galley kitchen layout.
What it costs in Perth
- Shower bath tub combo (installed during a renovation): From $9,500–$15,000+ incl. GST (bath, screen, waterproofing, tiling, standard plumbing/tapware).
- Full bathroom renovation: Typically $22,000–$45,000+ depending on plumbing moves, tiles, screen type, vanity and lighting.
- Upgrades that add value: Porcelain/sintered stone benchtops, heated towel rails, wall niches, premium tapware and custom cabinetry WA made.
We provide a detailed, fixed-price proposal after site measure and selections. We work within HIA contract frameworks and Master Builders WA guidelines.
Bathtub–Shower Renovation Checklist (WA)
- [ ] Measure your bath wall length—common AU sizes: 1500, 1600, 1700 mm.
- [ ] Confirm fall-to-waste and drain location for a linear or point waste.
- [ ] Select a WELS-rated showerhead (7.5–9 L/min is a sweet spot for comfort vs savings).
- [ ] Choose a frameless or semi-frameless screen with easy-clean hardware.
- [ ] Pick tiles with appropriate slip rating to AS 4586.
- [ ] Confirm waterproofing details and AS 3740 compliance certificate.
- [ ] Plan storage: niche, nib wall, or vanity drawers.
- [ ] Consider heating/ventilation and correct IP ratings for lights.
- [ ] Align bathroom finishes with your kitchen/laundry palette for a cohesive home.
Whole-home design: kitchens, laundry, wardrobes
Beyond bathrooms, Joyce Kitchens designs and manufactures cabinetry for kitchens, laundries and wardrobes across Perth. From shaker kitchen styles to contemporary two-pack doors, from scullery design and walk-in pantry storage to laundry renovation solutions, our team brings everything together—custom cabinetry WA made, with soft-close drawers, Blum hardware, and options for integrated appliances. We specify finishes to suit your lifestyle, including laminate benchtops, porcelain benchtops, solid surface and compliant alternatives to legacy engineered stone benchtop products.
Helpful Australian resources
Ready to plan your modern bathtub–shower?
Book a showroom visit or an in-home consultation with Joyce Kitchens. We’ll design a practical shower bath tub combo, a luxurious twin-shower with an adjacent bath, or a full home refresh that ties your bathroom to your kitchen and laundry styling.
FAQ
Are modern bathtub–shower combos a good idea for Perth homes?
Yes—when space is tight, a modern shower-over-bath delivers family-friendly flexibility without enlarging the floor plan. With a quality acrylic or steel bath, a frameless shower screen, and compliant waterproofing to AS 3740, you’ll achieve a safe, easy-clean solution suited to Perth’s open-plan living. Joyce Kitchens designs include anti-slip tile selections to AS 4586 and WELS-rated tapware to save water.
How do I plan a double shower bathtub layout?
In most WA homes, a double shower bathtub layout means a twin-shower wet zone beside a separate freestanding bath, not two heads above one tub. Aim for a 1200–1600 mm wide shower with dual mixers, a linear drain, a nib wall or glass to control overspray, and at least 800 mm clear around the bath for access. We’ll confirm fall-to-waste and drainage with your plumber.
What does a shower bath tub combo cost in Perth?
As a guide, a quality shower bath tub combo installed during a bathroom renovation in Perth starts from $9,500–$15,000+ incl. GST, depending on plumbing moves, tiles, screen type and tapware. Full bathroom renovations typically range from $22,000–$45,000+. We provide fixed-price proposals after measure and selections.
Which materials are best for a modern bathtub–shower?
For the tub: sanitary-grade acrylic or pressed steel with enamel. For screens: frameless or semi-frameless safety glass. For walls: porcelain tiles or large-format panels. For vanities: laminate, porcelain/sintered stone or solid surface. Note: new high-silica engineered stone benchtops are prohibited in Australia from 1 July 2024; we’ll specify compliant alternatives.
Do I need approvals or certification in WA?
You need waterproofing to AS 3740 by a qualified applicator, a certificate of compliance, and licensed plumbing/electrical work. Structural changes may need building approval under the NCC. Joyce Kitchens manages design, selections and trusted trades, and we work to HIA contracts and Master Builders WA guidelines.