My house and bathroom are small so space saving is critical. The original old bathroom layout has a small square shower and a separate half bath, with an even smaller basin right next to the toilet. It was claustrophobic and the half bath was only used for storing cleaning stuff. When we renovated, the bathroom was gutted, keeping most of the original plumbing points. Though we are not "bath persons" we decided to have a shower over (normal length) bath with frameless swing glass screen. From past experiences, I find it easier to clean a shower-over-bath than a fully tiled shower area, or one with a shower base. When visitors with young children came to stay, having a bath was handy. Combining shower/bath gave us room for a long vanity with plenty of bench space and away from the toilet. It now has ample of space in the middle for changing and moving around each other. Shower-over-bath definitely is an efficient use of small bathroom space.

We've just renovated and have 3 bathrooms. no baths. Large walk in showers. We did, however, do the plumbing for a bath in the largest bathroom in case we ever sell it. We don't take baths, so no need to be cleaning the dust off it constantly.

Hi Em, Families with young children are the most likely to need a bath tub in their home. Just about every other demographic could live without one. Some appreciate one less cleaning chore too! With this in mind, which market is your property in; a house for raising children or not? If not, I would lean towards a generous shower and no bath in what is a fairly small space for a main bathroom. If you can maximise the wow of that internal courtyard to create a great light-filled space in the room all the better!

We are literally having the same debate. We have a 12 year old and 9 year old, house doesn't have an ensuite as such but dual living set up with one bathroom on the ground level and one on the first level. At this stage we are thinking no bath...will be interested to see what you end up deciding too1