Shower Bath AU: Contemporary Bathtub Shower Ideas, Costs and Perth‑Ready Renovation Tips
Designing a tub and shower combination that looks beautiful and works hard in an Aussie home is all about smart planning, safe construction and the right materials. Whether you’re refreshing an ensuite, upgrading a family bathroom or renovating as part of broader kitchen renovations Perth homeowners trust, Joyce Kitchens can help you get the balance right.
What is a shower bath (AU)?
A shower bath is a combined tub and shower, ideal when you want the convenience of a daily shower plus a proper soak without needing a separate bath. The term “shower bath AU” is often used by homeowners searching for Australian sizing, waterproofing rules and material options that suit local conditions.
A single bath with a shower installed over it. Typically features a straight or L‑shaped tub, a shower rail or rainfall shower head, a mixer, and a frameless shower screen or curtain.
Core insights for a contemporary bathtub shower
- Space efficiency: A tub and shower combination is the smartest way to add a bath without compromising storage or circulation in compact ensuites and family bathrooms.
- Safety first: Ensure compliant waterproofing to AS/NZS requirements (commonly referenced as AS/NZS 3740 for internal wet areas) and choose slip‑resistant tiles in the shower base area.
- Future‑proofing: Opt for mixer taps with WELS 4–5 Star ratings, a comfortable step‑in height, and options for grab rails if you’re renovating for ageing in place.
- Style cohesion: Match bathroom finishes with adjacent zones—think shaker kitchen profiles on vanity doors, matte black tapware echoed in your laundry renovation, or a consistent splashback tone across open‑plan living.
A liquid or sheet barrier applied beneath tiles and around penetrations to prevent moisture reaching the building structure. Essential in showers and around baths.
Our WA renovation process
1) In‑home measure and brief
We review your bathroom, kitchen and laundry together to plan storage, circulation and services. Many Perth homes benefit from re‑thinking the bathroom while we’re designing custom cabinetry WA clients love across their kitchens and wardrobe fit‑outs.
2) Concept design and 3D
We present layout options for your shower bath AU along with material palettes that work with your galley kitchen, U‑shaped kitchen, or scullery/butler’s pantry next door.
3) Selections and compliance
We specify tiles, benchtops, screens and plumbing. We coordinate with licensed trades to meet WA rules and industry guidance from bodies such as the HIA and Master Builders WA.
4) Fabrication and installation
Your vanity and storage are built with soft‑close drawers and quality Blum hinges in our local network. Our installers follow best practice set‑downs for fall to waste and fit your frameless shower screen precisely.
5) Handover and care
We walk you through cleaning for porcelain benchtops and grout sealing, plus aftercare across your broader renovation—from under‑mount sinks in the kitchen to laundry cabinets.
The slope in a wet area floor directing water to the drain. In a shower‑bath, ensure adequate fall at the shower end and correct bath lip detail so water doesn’t track behind tiles.
Materials and finishes that last
Baths
- Acrylic: Warm to touch, lighter weight and forgiving if you drop a bottle. Good for standard 1525–1700 mm lengths common in WA homes.
- Steel/enamel: Hard wearing and rigid with a thinner edge profile; cooler initially but durable.
- Composite/stone: Premium look with excellent rigidity. Check weight on upper floors and ensure your structure can support it.
Walls and surrounds
- Porcelain or ceramic tiles: Choose a rectified tile with a slip‑resistant floor finish around the bath. Large formats reduce grout and simplify cleaning.
- Acrylic or solid‑surface panels: Minimal grout, faster install—useful in rentals or quick turnarounds.
Tapware and fittings
- Mixers and diverters: Consider a thermostatic mixer for safer family use. Popular finishes include matte black tapware and brushed nickel.
- Shower heads: A rainfall shower head plus a hand shower on rail gives flexibility for rinsing and cleaning.
- Screens: A pivot or hinged frameless shower screen with quality seals stops overspray and looks crisp.
Australia’s Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme. Choose 4–5 Star showers and taps for water‑saving performance (see WELS).
Vanity benchtops (bathroom + kitchen crossover)
Many Perth clients want a cohesive look across bathrooms and the kitchen. Below is a quick comparison to help you choose—keeping in mind current Australian regulations on engineered stone.
| Feature | Engineered Stone (e.g., legacy quartz brands such as Caesarstone) | Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Look & feel | Premium, stone‑like patterns; seamless under‑mount sink options in kitchens | Vast range of décors including stone looks at approachable price points |
| Durability | Heat and scratch resistant; requires professional fabrication | Good everyday performance; use trivets and boards to avoid heat/scratches |
| Moisture | Excellent when edges are sealed; ideal for vanity tops and splashback returns | Modern laminates resist swelling when edges are well sealed |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Regulatory note (AU) | New fabrication/installation of engineered stone is restricted/ceased nationally from 2024. Alternatives: porcelain/sintered stone, natural stone, solid surface. | Common and compliant choice with broad design flexibility |
Note: Due to 2024 Australian regulatory changes on engineered stone fabrication, we typically recommend porcelain benchtops, solid surface or laminate for new projects. Talk to our designers for the most up‑to‑date guidance in WA.
Layouts and styles that suit Aussie homes
Popular shower‑bath layouts
- Straight alcove: Bath set between three walls with a screen on the long edge—ideal for narrow rooms.
- L‑shaped bath: Gently flared shower end creates more elbow room without needing a wider room.
- P‑shaped bath: Softer curves, great with a frameless screen to show off feature tiles.
Small bathroom trick: the nib wall
A nib wall (a short tiled wall at the shower end) hides plumbing, holds niches and provides a subtle splash barrier next to the vanity.
A low, partial-height wall used to house plumbing or create a ledge for storage beside a shower or bath.
Style cues to tie with your kitchen and laundry
- Shaker profiles and soft‑close drawers on the vanity to echo a shaker kitchen nearby.
- Matching splashback tiles or grout colours across bathroom and kitchen for open‑plan living continuity.
- Hardware consistency: matte black tapware in the bathroom, black pulls in the kitchen, and the same finish in wardrobe fit‑outs.
- Storage: mirror cabinets above the bath mixer end, laundry cabinets in the same finish, and a neat under‑mount sink in the kitchen.
Two WA case examples
Mount Lawley family bathroom: We converted a dated combined shower and short tub into a contemporary bathtub shower using a 1700 mm acrylic L‑shaped bath, rainfall shower head and a 900 mm frameless shower screen. The vanity used a laminate benchtop to match the client’s Caesarstone‑look kitchen while staying within budget.
Fremantle terrace ensuite: With only 1650 mm length to play with, we specified a steel bath and a slimline pivot screen. We coordinated finishes with the client’s U‑shaped kitchen and butler’s pantry, keeping joinery consistent across rooms.
Costs in Perth and wider WA
Every site differs, but these ballparks help planning. All figures in AUD:
- Bath (acrylic/steel): $350–$1,800
- Frameless screen for shower‑bath: $700–$1,600
- Plumbing and mixers (supply + fit): $800–$2,200
- Tiling and waterproofing (partial room): $1,800–$4,500
- Vanity and storage (custom cabinetry WA): $1,800–$6,000+
- Full bathroom refresh with shower bath AU: typically $12,000–$28,000+ depending on scope and re‑plumbing
Allow extra for upper‑floor works, structural changes, porcelain slabs, or if coordinating with kitchen renovations Perth homeowners often combine for overall value. For appliance planning next to a bathroom, note common Australian kitchen sizes—600 mm and 900 mm ovens/cooktops—so door swings and circulation remain comfortable.
Practical shower‑bath renovation checklist
- Measure the room, doorways and stairwells—confirm your chosen bath can be delivered.
- Select bath length (1525, 1675 or 1700 mm are common) and check step‑in height.
- Choose wall tiles or panels with a non‑slip floor finish at the shower end.
- Specify a rainfall shower head plus hand shower on rail for flexibility.
- Pick a quality mixer/diverter with at least WELS 4 Star rating.
- Confirm waterproofing extents to meet Australian Standards for wet areas.
- Decide on a hinged or fixed frameless shower screen and sealing type.
- Coordinate vanity storage, mirrors and niches with your kitchen/laundry palette.
- Plan ventilation and lighting—consider a heat‑light‑fan for winter comfort.
- Schedule with other works (kitchen, laundry, wardrobe fit‑outs) for fewer disruptions.
Ready to plan your shower bath with Joyce Kitchens?
From a simple tub and shower combination to a full bathroom, kitchen and laundry renovation, our designers create cohesive, practical spaces that raise your home’s value. Book a consultation at our Osborne Park showroom and let’s start your design.
Standards and references in Australia
We design and install to Australian codes and recognised industry guidance, including wet area waterproofing requirements (AS/NZS standards), and best practice from the Housing Industry Association and Master Builders Western Australia. For water efficiency, see the WELS scheme.
FAQ
Is a shower-bath a good idea for small bathrooms in Australia?
Yes—combining the shower and bath saves floor area, keeps a resale-friendly bath in the home, and gives families flexibility. Use a frameless screen, light-coloured tiles and a wall-hung vanity to make small spaces feel larger.
What size bath works best for a tub and shower combination?
Common AU lengths are 1525, 1675 and 1700 mm. In Perth homes, 1675–1700 mm suits most users, while 1525 mm is handy in tight ensuites. Choose an L- or P-shaped model for more elbow room at the shower end.
How much does a shower-bath renovation cost in Perth?
Budgets vary with scope, but expect roughly $12,000–$28,000+ for a bathroom refresh with a combined shower bath. Final costs depend on plumbing changes, tiling, screen type and your vanity/joinery selections.
Are there special waterproofing rules in WA for shower-baths?
Yes. Wet areas must be waterproofed to Australian Standards, with correct membrane upturns, set-downs and falls to waste. Work with licensed trades and request documentation at handover for peace of mind.
What’s the best material for a contemporary bathtub shower surround?
Porcelain or ceramic tiles are durable, easy to clean and design-flexible. Large formats reduce grout lines. For speed, acrylic or solid-surface panels are great. Always choose slip-resistant flooring near the shower end.