A shower-tub combo may not sound glamorous, but it remains one of the most practical features a home can have. Many homeowners choose to keep at least one tub for bathing young children, accommodating different needs over time or appealing to a wider range of future buyers. A combo setup delivers both a tub and a shower in one compact footprint. Here, design and remodeling pros share how they’ve elevated this hardworking feature with thoughtful planning and stylish details.
1. Cheerful Classic Revival
Designer: Will Fryer
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Size: 80 square feet (7.4 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This brownstone had previously been divided into four apartments, and we recombined the upper three floors, leaving the garden level separate,” says interior designer Will Fryer. “We also added an extension to the rear of the house, providing approximately 300 additional square feet. Our goal was to update the house for modern needs and convenience while retaining the low-key classical motifs of the original design. The clients are laid-back, with an affinity for traditional English houses, so the design reflects a relaxed traditionalism that is classic and inviting.”
Shower-tub combo. “We designed this bathroom for future children, so we knew we needed a shower-tub combo and a bright and cheerful mood,” Fryer says. “The client fell in love with a sage green herringbone mosaic tile, so we color-matched the wall and paired it with a classic Carrara marble on the tub deck and niche, which helps tie this space in with the character of the house.”
Other special features. “The polished nickel fittings look lovely against the pale green walls and tile,” Fryer says. “The floor is very plain, but it’s a good backdrop for the white oak vanity.”
Designer tip. “Using stone on the window jambs and sill makes the space feel luxuriously tailored,” Fryer says.
Wall tile: Glazed herringbone mosaic in Jadite, Nemo Tile + Stone; vanity: Berkeley in white oak, Room & Board; wall paint: Healing Aloe, Benjamin Moore
2. Versatile and Timeless
Designer: Jessica Nelson Design
Location: Seattle
Size: 67 square feet (6.2 square meters); 6½ by 10⅓ feet
Homeowners’ request. “This bathroom was designed to function for two young boys as well as a future guest bathroom, so our clients wanted a design that was versatile — one that didn’t lean too youthful or boyish and could eventually be comfortable for guests,” says interior designer Jessica Nelson.
Shower-tub combo. “We wanted to keep the shower-tub combo because it was versatile and saved space,” Nelson says. “We chose a muted green subway tile for the shower-tub surround to add some subtle, calming color to the space. We also chose materials that were easy to wipe down clean.”
Other special features. “My favorite feature of this bathroom is the laundry chute,” Nelson says. “It was originally on the wall, so we had to work our space planning around it. We ended up creating a vanity with a middle cabinet that connected to the chute, so it’s incredibly functional but blends right in. The home is a Dutch Colonial style, so we chose a checkered pattern floor and unlacquered brass fixtures since they were timeless and architecturally appropriate. The walls are Benjamin Moore White Dove and the vanity is Farrow & Ball Card Room Green. We also chose a tongue-and-groove paneling on the walls to add texture while still being wipeable. It makes the space feel a little more special.”
Designer tip. “Tongue-and-groove paneling is a great way to add texture to a room, especially if you have interesting architectural details like a sloped ceiling,” Nelson says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The sloped ceiling was certainly a challenge,” Nelson says. “Hanging those pendants on a slope definitely kept me up at night. I was worried our clients might hit their head or the height wouldn’t be quite right, but they worked out great. And trying to find a shower curtain rod that could mount on an angled wall was tricky.”
3. Warm and Textural
Designer: EOS Architecture
General contractor: GDC Construction
Location: La Jolla, California
Size: 43 square feet (4 square meters); 5 by 8½ feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner wanted a modern, youthful and highly functional bathroom that felt bright, fresh and custom,” says contractor Pancho Dewhurst. “They wanted to replace a dated and basic bath with elevated finishes, playful texture and unique details while still keeping a warm and welcoming tone. One challenge we faced was the desire to balance neutral calm tones with a colorful personality. The solution was combining warm wood tones, playful terrazzo and soft neutral tile variations to create depth and interest.”
Shower-tub combo. “The decision to keep the shower-tub combo was for functionality for family or guests while maximizing a compact layout,” Dewhurst says. “The designer chose soft tonal square tile in a gradient of warm beige and ivory hues, creating visual texture without overwhelming the room. A built-in niche and minimal black hardware elevate the modern aesthetic.”
Other special features. “A terrazzo countertop and backsplash with multicolor chips brings energy and contrast,” Dewhurst says. “A fluted natural white oak vanity adds warmth and organic texture. The brushed brass drawer pulls introduce modern elegance and contrast. A found wood-framed mirror with sculptural beading creates a standout focal feature. A matte black faucet and matching shower fixtures add definition. A floating wood shelf adds display and storage. Warm neutral patterned floor tile complements the terrazzo and wall tile.”
Contractor tip. “Mixing subtle neutral tones with one bold statement material allows personality without overwhelming a small space,” Dewhurst says. “Texture is just as important as color when designing a visually rich but calm bathroom.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The oversized patterned terrazzo slab and fluted vanity detail required precise coordination so the drawers cleared hardware and plumbing without interfering with the sink and slab thickness,” Dewhurst says. “Template accuracy and careful installation ensured the lines remained clean and functional.”
4. Earthy With Edge
Designers: Chanet Smith and Michelle Shaver of MIC & NAY | Design Collective
Location: Las Vegas
Size: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters)
Homeowner’s request. “This project was a full remodel of a 1970s home,” says interior designer Chanet Smith. “The layout of the house itself did not work for the client. We restructured the laundry room, son’s closet and bathroom to create an ‘east wing’ for his son. The overall idea for his son’s room was a western-cowboy theme. He wanted deep blues but something still timeless enough for his son to be able to use the bathroom into his teen years.”
Shower-tub combo. “Because his son is a toddler, he still needed to have a tub in the house,” Smith says. “We chose tile that would age well in terms of maturity and timelessness. The tambour blonde slatted wood tile feels very earthy and minimal.”
Other special features. White oak cabinets. Dark blue walls (Gale Force by Sherwin-Williams). Brushed nickel plumbing.
Designer tip. “To elevate this shower-tub combo, we used a drop-in tub with a quartz top,” Smith says. “This tends to look more custom and provide more surface space around the tub. It also allows the ability to tile the side of the tub, looking much more custom than an alcove tub.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “We came across a budget constraint where the client did not want to tile the entire vanity wall,” Smith says. “We wanted the space to look large and seamless, so we made the decision to paint-match the tile and paint the entire vanity wall. We also built a short backsplash with the blue square tiles we used on the plumbing wall of the shower.”
5. Designed for Three
Designer: Victoria Johnson of M. Victoria Johnson Interiors
Location: Maple Grove, Minnesota
Size: 50 square feet (4.7 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This bathroom is shared by three teenage girls,” says interior designer Victoria Johnson. “The parents reached out wanting to maximize storage and give the space a more elevated, timeless look.”
Shower-tub combo. “The homeowners chose to keep the shower-tub combo primarily for resale value, as families with young children often prefer having a tub,” Johnson says. “Plus, their teenage daughters still enjoy using it. To make the setup more functional, we designed a wall-to-wall niche large enough to hold all their hair products, soaps and razors neatly. We also added a hand shower, which serves both as a spa-like feature and a practical one — it’s perfect for washing their beloved dog.”
Other special features. “Everything in this bathroom was designed around the idea of three — one for each daughter,” Johnson says. “We installed a triple medicine cabinet, which we purchased on Houzz, so each girl has her own section. We also designed a custom recessed cabinet between the studs, again divided into three compartments for individual storage. The custom vanity features a single sink to maximize counter space, a decision that has proven incredibly functional for busy mornings.” The countertop is Taj Mahal quartzite.
Designer tip. “There are three features I absolutely love here,” Johnson says. “First, the wall-to-wall niche. It’s such a simple upgrade that dramatically improves usability, and I’ll likely do this in every project moving forward. Second, medicine cabinets. There are so many beautifully designed options now and the hidden storage they provide is invaluable. Third, when space is tight, adding recessed cabinets between studs is a clever way to gain storage without sacrificing floor space.”
