Designer debates: Bath or shower?

Bathroom planningDesigner adviceShowersDesigner debatesBaths

1 Dec

Bath

First up is Senior Designer Kerri, from Ripples Winchester who is firly ‘team bath.’

Nothing beats the indulgence of a large roll-top bath filled to the brim with foaming bubbles and water that's just the right side of piping hot. I can't think of a better way to relax, unwind, and de-stress after a long week. It's also very practical in my opinion. I don't know any family with young children who would prefer to shower them over bathe them. In general, I advise clients that if space permits and they have the luxury of multiple bathrooms, they should keep at least one for practical use with family and resale. While we live in a shower culture, I believe that baths have numerous advantages for all bathrooms.

“Nothing beats the luxurious experience of a bath.”

- Kerri Asker, Senior Designer Ripples Winchester

Top tips for buying a bath:

When it comes to a shower over the bath, don't panic; there are many options to truly ensure that the style is not compromised. Look for baths with thinner rims to ensure that you are maximising the internal usable space so that you feel less cramped when showering inside the tub.
Consider our low-height baths, which are ideal for future-proofing your home because they are more accessible.
If I had to choose just one bath, it would be the traditional boat bath. They are ideal for a Sunday evening soak and are also very versatile. You can also match your bath to your blinds or the prominent pattern in your new encaustic tiles. This bath has a bespoke paint colour option. They are available in a variety of sizes, allowing for a more personalised touch, and you can also add an aluminium plinth to take it to the next level.
Consider underwater mood lighting or even whirlpool jets to bring the spa to your home.
To create more room for bathing, consider using freestanding or wall-mounted brassware or a double-ended bath with centrally positioned taps.

Shower

Next to present their debate is Senior Designer Gurnaam, from Ripples Solihull who is pro-shower.

If you're only keeping your bath for resale purposes, it's time to take it out and install the double shower you've always wanted. Consider the bathroom you want now, and if you decide to sell, the new owners will add a bath if it is that important to them. Most of the time, when people move, they consider changing the bathroom because it may not be to their liking, regardless of whether it has a bath or not.

If this is your forever home then a shower will future-proof your bathroom and ensure that you can simply jump in and out in years to come, not just today.

There is nothing like the indulgence of a hotel-inspired shower, which has all the luxuries of a freestanding bath, and if you can pull out your bath for double the space to shower, I can assure you it will be the best bathroom decision you've ever made.

“A hotel-inspired shower can offer all the luxuries and more of a freestanding bath ”

- Gurnaam Sharma, Senior Designer Ripples Solihull

Tempted? Here are five things to consider before popping in a brand-new shower.

Consider an integrated shower seat topped with natural stone; this adds a touch of luxury while also being functional, allowing you to take the weight off your tired feet and indulge in a moment of relaxation.
Make your shower a focal point by using bold glass that stands out in the room, whether it's coloured, tinted, or framed glass. Think about making a shower recess to store bottles that would otherwise clutter the floor of your shower.
A well-designed shower area becomes a focal point in the room and makes just as much of a statement as any bath. Consider the overall layout of the room; if you're going for a walk-in shower, keep furniture away from the shower to reduce the possibility of wet items.
Consider installing underfloor heating and wall heating (yes, really) to dry up moisture; this will emit low-level heat and heat your tiles. When you step out of the shower, you won't feel a chill because of the extra warmth. Luxury reimagined.
At Ripples, we provide customised lighting solutions for your shower. Whether you want lighting that changes with the push of a button, lighting on a timer, or lighting placed on a PIR sensor (so that it turns on automatically when someone steps into the shower), these are effective options.