I convinced myself that an L-shaped bath was the perfect solution Family bathroom Where there was not enough space for a separate shower and bath.
On paper it seemed ideal. Enough room to shower comfortably without banging elbows on the shower screen, and a bath big enough to comfortably fit adults or children.
If it all sounded so good, why did I pull the plug on the L-shaped bath in Future Homes? Find out why an L-shaped shower didn’t work for me, and the three main mistakes I made when I installed one.
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What is an L-shaped bath?
If you are not familiar with the term L-shaped bath, let me explain. It is a type Shower over bath A solution that is popular with homeowners who want the best of both worlds – a large shower and a standard-sized bath when there is no room for a personal shower cubicle.
Also known as a P or D-shaped bath, the shower end of the bath is large, taking either a curved form (P) or an angular box shape (D/L). A shower screen is installed that fits the raised profile, while the rest of the bath is a standard shape and length.
It is often considered a good solution Think small bathroomsAnd under the right conditions it absolutely is. But, I didn’t think it through properly when I installed one. Here are the mistakes I made, so you can avoid making them.
Shop for L vs P shaped shower baths
Wicks
Vicks Veroli L-Shaped Right Hand Shower Bath – 1500 X 850mm
L shaped right hand bath with high gloss acrylic front panel
Wicks
Vicks Velsina Left Hand P-Shaped Undrilled Shower Bath – 1675 X 515mm
These P-shaped baths have a curve at one end rather than an angular extension
Mistakes I Made While Installing an L-Shaped Bath
Like most homeowners who opt for an L-shaped bath, I chose one for a bathroom that didn’t have the space for a separate shower. Type of bath. Having showered over the bath before, I also experienced the frustration of a small shower.
Showering in tight spaces often results in bruised elbows, reduced toiletries, and potential water leaks if you remove the shower screen during the process. If you are tall, the problem is compounded.
So, an item of sanitaryware that provides extra space and performs two functions seemed like a brilliant idea to me on paper. Adults can comfortably shower or bathe, and children can still enjoy a bedtime bath.
So why didn’t it live up to my expectations?
One mistake: I chose the wrong bathroom layout
The most common location for this type of bath is to be fitted to a wall – and in very small bathrooms, there may be either an end wall or a nearby sink (as was the case with me. Bathroom design ideas). This results in limited access to bathing which can be problematic for young children.
It also makes it difficult to access the faucet when running the shower – unless you install it in the middle of the shower. However, this means that you are running more pipework behind the bath to get the water supply to the shower head.
If you do as I did and make a mistake when choosing a shower screen, the first mistake is compounded.
Mistake two: I chose the wrong shower screen
When you can install a hinged shower screen, like this one Milan Hinged L-Shaped Bath Screen from Victorian Plumbing On the shower bath, I chose a fixed, similar Roxbury Brushed Pewter L Shape Bath Screen with Fixed Return (also from Victorian Plumbing) On my L-shaped bath because I wanted to avoid water dripping down the side of the bath if it wasn’t closed properly.
This meant that I could reach directly in and out of the bath in the small space left between the shower screen and the vanity unit. This was less of an issue when bathing the little ones in the baby bath seat in front of me, but when I got to the big wriggly baby and tiny toddler stage, the fun began.
Keeping the baby within reach was challenging to say the least, especially if you have water-kids who see the bath as a great opportunity to go swimming. Trying to reach the corner of the shower screen to catch the one that escaped wasn’t easy, and if, like me, you have naughty boys, you can imagine how quickly this became a regular game.
As they got older and more water safety conscious, it became easier, but for me, it made bathing less of the end-of-day relaxation routine that I had hoped for.
And after all, that meant the only way Clean the shower-screen He had to go inside the bath to clean it. Again, something I hadn’t thought of at the time. For more advice on shower screens, check out our guide Best over-bath shower screen.
Mistake three: I underestimated water consumption
Although a P or D/L-shaped addition to your bath may not seem like much, I underestimated the amount of extra hot water needed to fill the extra space.
This may not be a problem if you have On-Demand Combi boilerWhere hot water is readily available. But I had an additional complication. I used to use it Biomass boiler To heat my house and hot water. Although it provided a lot of hot water, if I used it all, it wouldn’t necessarily be replaced right away – especially on a day when some were being used for other purposes.
The issue? A lot of water is used to fill an L-shaped bath for an older child or adult. Running two baths back to back without running out of water was almost impossible. It is probably less of a problem when bathing very young children who require small amounts of water, but it is definitely a problem if it is used by older children or adults.
Along with the risk of running out of hot water, the energy it takes to heat the water also concerned me, as did how much water I was getting with each shower.
Plus, when it comes to an adult relaxing in a bath, by the time it’s full enough, the temperature is already dropping. It wasn’t always possible to top it up – especially if it was a second bath, and it also felt useless. As well as rising water and energy costs, in a world where Finding ways to conserve water While more appropriate, its use did not sit comfortably with my beliefs.
What would I do differently?
I no longer have small children, and since leaving that property, have always opted for a standard bath and movable shower screen when fitting out a bathroom. I have also sacrificed a bath in favor of the big one Walk-in showerOnce the boys were older, none of us showered regularly. It’s not unusual either Bathroom design Change, the given figures indicate that Many of us are ditching the bathtub.
So, would I take an L, P or D shaped shower again? Maybe, but only in one Consider a fixed bathroom which were mainly used by adults for showering and occasional bathing. I would also check that my heating and hot water system had the capacity to fill the bath, without running out of hot water.
I will also consider my bathroom layout plan and try to avoid placing the toilet or sink next to the bath which can be avoided. And, if there’s any chance it will be used by a young child, I would definitely install a hinged shower screen. No one wants to awkwardly lean into a corner to rescue a slippery, wet baby who’s decided he’s a mermaid or a dolphin.
For more bathroom advice before installing or starting a new bathroom a Bathroom renovation Find the main one, of any kind Bathroom layout mistakes To avoid, and be sure to check the latest Bathroom trends Before you choose your color and decor.
