How to choose : bath, shower, or both?

Whether to include a bath, shower or a combination in your bathroom depends on your needs and lifestyle.

If your bathroom doesn't have room for a bath tub and a shower, how do you decide between the two? Here are some handy tips to lead you down the right path to an individual shower or bath, or one of the many stylish and functional shower bath combinations:

Do you have the space? - The size of your bathroom will dictate whether you can fit in a separate shower and bath, and often people will have to choose between the two. If you only have the space for one, a shower is the more practical choice. But if you really need a bath as well, you can combine the two with a shower-over-bath arrangement.

Consider your lifestyle - If you enjoy a long soak in the tub after a relaxing day, then a separate bath is going to be a priority in your bathroom design. But if you're not really the bath type, you may be better off splurging on a large walk-in shower, complete with a shower rose and a rail showerhead for a choice of options.

Think about who will use the bathroom - If you have children, or are planning to, a shower bath combination in the family bathroom is not only important, it's a necessity for getting through those early bathing years. On the other hand, if the bathroom is going to be used by the elderly, often they prefer a walk-in shower, as they have trouble climbing in and out of a bath tub. So, depending on your household, shower bath combinations can be a help or a hindrance!

Thinking of selling? - If you're contemplating selling your home in the near future, or are looking to maximise the value of your property, experts advise including both a bathroom bath and shower in at least one of your bathrooms. This will ensure that your home is appealing to the broadest range of prospective buyers, from retired couples to young families.

Want to make a statement? - For a dramatic effect, why not choose a freestanding bath tub? These can have the added benefit of making a small bathroom look larger, and can have showerheads incorporated to allow for showering too. Japanese soaker-style baths are also great for smaller bathrooms, as they are shorter (yet deeper) than a traditional bath.

The best of both worlds - Just because you're stuck with a shower-bath combo, doesn't mean your bathroom can't look stylish. Start by ditching the old-fashioned shower curtain and installing a frameless glass screen in its place. This simple addition will add a touch of elegance to your bathroom while still keeping your floor splash free.

Now that you've asked yourself the tough questions, you should have an idea of whether your home requires a separate shower or bath, or one of the many stylish shower bath combinations available: