Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

Hello folks. Hopefully you all can point me in the right direction. My wife and I are ready to remodel the master bathroom. Currently it only has a huge whirlpool tub in it. The space the tub is in is 77.25 inches by 49.5 (from side of tub to wall). We want to get rid of the tub and put a shower unit in its place. The first problem we have is that the length of the tub is greater that the standard shower kit size (we either want a 60 inch or 72 inch). The walls that that the tub is against are all outside walls except the right wall which is partially outside and the other part is the wall to the closet. The bathroom has its owns water heater which is in our bedroom closet. The pipes go through the linen close in the bathroom and under the tub. There are also two stain glass windows on the right and left walls. I have two ideas. Keep in mind that we only plan to be in the house for another 2 years max so we want to go with the cheaper plan. Is this something that I could possibly do on my own (except plumbing) or should I definitely hire a contractor? I have some pictures, so please fire away with suggestions.

1) Frame out/extend a wall to make the shower space a standard size and seal off windows.

2)Tile to the ceiling the area where the tub, get a custom shower basin made, seal off windows and use the whole area for a shower (I understand that I will also have to get a custom shower door/frame which will drive up the cost)


1)Frame out/extend a wall to make the shower space a standard size and seal off windoows.

2)Tile to the ceiling the area where the tub, get a custom shower basin made, seall off windows and use the whole area for a shower (I understand that I will also have to get a custom shower door/frame which will drive up the cost)

http://www.energyfreeforaday.com/stuff/bathroom/102_1013-1.JPG

http://www.energyfreeforaday.com/stuff/bathroom/102_1014-1.JPG

http://www.energyfreeforaday.com/stuff/bathroom/102_1016-1.JPG


http://www.energyfreeforaday.com/stuff/bathroom/102_1017-1.JPG

Pipes from water heater to the bathroom
http://www.energyfreeforaday.com/stuff/bathroom/102_1018-1.JPG

http://www.energyfreeforaday.com/stuff/bathroom/102_1019-1.JPG

Nice tub, might another option be to put the shower elsewhere?:)

Hi Sleazell,

If you are going to be just a couple of years, keep in mind the house / bath value --> I'd not touch the tub, and I'd never touch these nice windows

Just an idea--> what about a small shower stall in the linen space (I know, probably, you love this linen in the bathroom :D ). There are very small stalls, starting with 30".

Not having a tub devalues a house. Why not add a mountable hand held shower head (a nice one w/ a metal flex hose) or a stand pipe system that is wall mountable and made for retrofitting. You would be able to keep the supply in the inside walls because the water supply can enter the bathtub area from off center (you said that right wall is partially exterior) and still be mounted on center.
You have many options to add a shower head to your nice large bathtub.

Ps. if you tile your surround, you may be able to bullnose trim those unique windows and keep 'em.

Thank you all for the responses! We have thought about adding in a shower head on one wall bu the tub is really high. Stepping in and out is a pain. We have also thought about adding in a shower stall but the space was just a little to small. I think about 26 inches. This is not the only bathroom in the house so there would be another tub.

Can you relocate the hot water heater in the closet and use some of that space to make an acceptable sized shower? You could install a tankless hot water heater close by.

Taking the whirlpool tub out will take some value away from the house. On top of that, you will be adding a shower at a cost that you will not be able to recoupe. Not worth it for 2 years of use in my opinion.