| What to do if a conventional bathtub won't fit into | | | | depth. This simple concept makes it possible to fit a |
| your small bathroom | | | | bathtub that requires a modest floor area but still |
| If you are remodeling a very small bathroom that | | | | allows you to immerse yourself in water and relax. |
| isn't big enough to fit a full sized bath or if you want | | | | Soaking bathtubs |
| to add a shower cubicle to your already cramped | | | | The Japanese have a long tradition of using bathtubs |
| bathroom then there are a few options that you | | | | for soaking and relaxation. They also often have to |
| might want to consider. | | | | manage in very small accommodations so you can |
| Shower above the bathtub | | | | get a lot of ideas from looking at the way they live. |
| If you have room for a full sized bathtub then the | | | | The most interesting soaking tub that I've come |
| option that many people take is to put a shower | | | | across was nothing more than a wooden barrel with |
| over the bathtub. While this is an easy option I don't | | | | a stool fixed to the bottom. Yes it was crude but it |
| personally like it very much because it's difficult to | | | | worked. It fitted into a tiny little bathroom, it |
| make it look good and it always feels like a | | | | immersed you in water and it was very relaxing. |
| compromise that I didn't want to make. | | | | Walk in bathtubs |
| Showers are for washing efficiently but bathtubs are | | | | A sophisticated version of the wooden barrel bathtub |
| for soaking and relaxing | | | | is the modern walk-in bathtub. The principles are the |
| After my small bathroom remodel I now have a | | | | same but they have built in seats and a door to allow |
| shower cubicle as well as a bathtub, which I think is | | | | easy access. A walk-in bathtub takes up much less |
| the ideal situation. Now that I have both I've been | | | | space than a conventional bathtub but still allows you |
| surprised to find that I use the shower far more | | | | to take a very relaxing bath. |
| often than I use the bathtub. Why is this? Well it's | | | | The walk-in bathtub door can be a two edged sword |
| because a shower is far more efficient than bathing. I | | | | however. It allows easy access on the one hand, |
| can shower in 5 minutes but when I take a bath I | | | | which is great if you have difficulty stepping up into |
| like to make it last for an hour or more. So for me | | | | the bath. The problem is that the door has a |
| the shower is for washing and the bathtub is for | | | | potential to leak at some point and require |
| relaxing. | | | | maintenance. Also you can't use the door unless the |
| Trade the length of your bathtub for depth | | | | bathtub is empty of water, which means that you |
| Your bathtub is for soaking and relaxing in and for | | | | have to be inside when filling and emptying with |
| that you need to be immersed in water and you | | | | water. |
| need to be comfortable. It's no good installing a | | | | Short and deep bathtubs for very small bathrooms |
| short, shallow bathtub just to make it fit into your | | | | So if you are remodeling a small bathroom remember |
| little bathroom because it won't be any good for | | | | that you can choose a shorter bathtub but make |
| soaking in and it won't be comfortable either. | | | | sure that it's deep enough to give you a long relaxing |
| A better idea is to trade length of your tub for | | | | soak. |