20 Creative Ways to Combine Your Bathtub and Shower in One Space
You don’t have to choose between a relaxing soak and an invigorating shower anymore.
Even the smallest bathrooms can accommodate both when you design smartly and think creatively.
These brilliant ideas will help you maximize your space while creating a luxurious wet room that feels like your personal spa retreat.
01. Install Dual Shower Heads for Ultimate Luxury
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You can create an amazing double shower experience even in a compact space that’s just bathtub-width.
Position two shower heads on opposite walls to give you incredible coverage and flexibility for your daily routine.
02. Frame Your Space with an Elegant Archway
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Transform your wet room into a cozy retreat by adding a beautiful arch over the entrance.
This architectural detail draws your eyes upward and creates the perfect illusion of expanded vertical space throughout your bathroom.
03. Design a Space-Saving Custom Built-In Tub
Credit: Design by @kinkadedesign / Photo by @jvlphoto / Instagram
When space is tight, a narrow custom built-in tub becomes your best friend for maximizing every square inch.
You’ll be amazed how both fixtures fit perfectly into a small corner when you sacrifice just inches strategically.
04. Create Drama with a Bold Statement Wall
Credit: Design by @andreawestdesign / Photo by @lindsay_salazar_photography / Instagram
Your freestanding tub already commands attention, so why not amplify that wow factor with stunning accent walls?
Choose colorful or geometric tiles that create an unforgettable design statement every time you enter your wet room.
05. Add Spa Vibes with a Luxurious Rainfall Showerhead
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Nothing beats starting or ending your day under a large rainfall showerhead that makes you feel pampered.
Since it mounts on your ceiling, you’ll have plenty of room for both traditional fixtures and your beautiful bathtub.
06. Define Areas Using Stylish Curtain Drawbacks
Credit: Design by @logankilleninteriors / Photo by @littlecollins / Intagram
Use elegant curtain drawbacks with decorative fringe to beautifully separate your bathing and showering zones.
This approach works wonderfully with rainfall showerheads that don’t create as much water spray throughout the space.
07. Showcase Everything with Transparent Glass Doors
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Show off your gorgeous freestanding tub and carefully selected fixtures behind crystal-clear glass shower doors.
You’ll maintain an uninterrupted visual flow while keeping natural light flowing beautifully throughout your entire bathroom space.
08. Incorporate Built-In Storage Niches
Credit: Design by @raw_concept_designs / Building by@littprojectsaus / Instagram
Keep your design clean and streamlined by building in shower niches for all your bathing essentials.
Plan for multiple niches positioned so you can easily reach your products from both the tub and shower areas.
09. Unify Your Space by Tiling Everything
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Use identical tiles throughout your entire bathroom to create one cohesive, large wet room aesthetic.
This approach is surprisingly budget-friendly and makes your whole bathroom feel more spacious and intentionally designed together.
10. Use Contrasting Tiles for Visual Cohesion
Credit: Design by @harperdesignprojects / Photo by @blakeverdoorn / Instagram
Make your separate bathtub and shower look like one unified design element with strategic tile contrast.
Choose tiles that are noticeably darker or lighter than your wall color to create this seamless, cohesive appearance.
11. Mix Two Tile Sizes for Budget-Smart Style
Credit: Design by @ftlo_design and @spacecraft___ / Instagram
Save money on installation costs by combining larger floor tiles with smaller decorative mosaic tiles strategically.
Extend your large tiles partway up the walls, then finish the upper sections with your beautiful smaller tiles.
12. Embrace Classic Charm with Vintage Elements
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Bring timeless character to your modern wet room with a stunning clawfoot tub that complements historic home styles.
Choose a shorter vintage-style tub to save precious floor space while maintaining that classic, elegant aesthetic you love.
13. Position Your Vanity in the Perfect Spot
Credit: Design by @morrisseyhome / Photo by @jenmburner / Instagram
Even narrow bathrooms can accommodate a double vanity when you plan the layout thoughtfully around your fixtures.
Build a small half wall next to your shower to create the perfect spot for positioning your vanity.
14. Utilize the Space Adjacent to Your Closet
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During new construction or remodels, that awkward empty space next to your bathroom closet becomes incredibly valuable.
Transform this often-wasted area into your dream wet room with both bathing and showering options perfectly positioned together.
15. Bring in Natural Light with a Skylight
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Install a skylight to flood your wet room with gorgeous natural light while maintaining complete privacy.
Imagine how relaxing it’ll be watching clouds drift by or raindrops falling while you soak in your tub.
16. Ensure Perfect Visibility with Ceiling Lighting
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While soft lighting creates the perfect bath ambiance, you need bright, clear lighting for safe showering.
Install several waterproof ceiling fixtures to provide adequate illumination for all your daily grooming and bathing routines.
17. Protect Against Steam with Ceiling Tiles
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Tiling your ceiling costs less than you’d expect in smaller bathrooms and provides incredible practical benefits.
This solution works perfectly if you love long, steamy showers that create lots of moisture and humidity.
18. Maintain Privacy with Frosted Window Film
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Skip shower curtains that disrupt your wet room’s clean aesthetic and frost your bathroom windows instead.
You’ll get complete privacy from the outside world while maintaining the open, uninterrupted design you’re working to achieve.
19. Install a Horizontal Ledge for Easy Storage
Credit: design by @ydm_design_studio / Photo by @elisescott.studio
Create one long horizontal ledge running between your shower and bath areas for convenient product storage.
Position your soaps and shampoos centrally so you can easily access everything regardless of which bathing option you choose.
20. Define Zones with a Stylish Floor Mirror
Credit: Desiree Burns Interiors
Visually separate your bathtub from the shower area in large open bathrooms using an elegant leaning floor mirror.
Match the mirror frame to your plumbing fixtures to create a beautifully cohesive and intentionally designed look throughout.
Final Thoughts
Creating a combined tub and shower space doesn’t mean compromising on style or functionality in your bathroom.
These creative solutions prove you can have the best of both worlds, regardless of your space constraints.
Choose the ideas that speak to your personal style and start transforming your bathroom into the luxurious retreat you deserve.
