I had to settle for a shower for years and years because the place we lived in only had a shower although my showers are deefinitely not a three minute person, more like 15min ha-ha I too decided on a spa bath in our new build, one that is big enough to fit two people but is simply a bath shape and I'm finding it hard to get myself back into baths because of being used to a shower for so long but I don't regret it either. I used to read the paper in the bath back when papers were what was around back then and I do miss that ha-ha

LOVE that you noticed the vanity over the bath..a feature used in all my own bathrooms as it provides so much extra counter area, improves the look of the whole vanity and the space on the end of the bath under the extended counter is perfect to line up all our ducks (the same idea also goes well over a toilet)...BTW i noticed that i forgot to include an in-wall mirror doored medicine cabinet with the outside doors hinged in opposition (so you can see the back of your head!)... the medicine cabinet could be as wide as the vanity counter and built in wall 150mm deep with adjustable shelves is suitable for almost all bathroom storage including toilet rolls and with all that extra in wall storage it's worth considering a wall hung vanity that will allow floor space underneath for a waste bin, dirty clothes basket, set of scales, slippers etc and makes the room feel so much more spacious...best of luck with your new bathroom, the next challenge is which tiles and taps and soap dishes and towel rails etc etc??

I've just had a similar dilemma trying to decide on how to liven up the boring white bathroom we ended up with thanks to a well known tile supplier mucking up big time. I've hopefully given it some bling by using this ornate frame on some art work. If you don't want a plain edge mirror, you could do something like that?? My frame arrives tomorrow (yay). If you'd like a pic of what it looks like hung on a white wall, feel free to sing out. We ummed and arrred about incorporating a mirrored shaving cabinet into our reno. We did, and it's way more practical than before. Everything is within easy reach. All is hidden and off the benchtop, which makes it neater and so much easier to clean. Most bathroom essentials (like soap, spray cans, toothpaste, razors, lotions etc) fit easily on the 15cm shelves. In fact, the cupboard under the vanity is now virtually empty and there's no kneeling on the floor, digging in the back of it to find stuff! The loo paper fits in a vanity drawer, so it's also out of the way. Bonuses all round. I agree with suggestions to relocate the towel holder (if you can, of course).

Thanks Margot. I think I've more or less got it sorted. The only challenge remaining, I think, is finding a way to give it a visual lift. It currently has floor to ceiling tiles in a standard size, square, and a very uninteresting colour with no texture - but in very good order. Very dull! I hate grout in showers so I'm thinking maybe some Mr Wetwall panelling or something similar over the tiles in the shower and on the new wall formed by moving the linen cpd, plus on a part wall along the long side of the shower to replace the glass screens that I insist must go (I'm a lazy cleaner and I hate cleaning glass!) Hopefully that would be enough to relieve the dullness of the existing tiles. Then some feature shelving over the new bath tub perhaps. Not yet decided whether to install a freestanding back-to-wall bath or a drop-in, but the latter might provide scope for some more feature tiling or panelling around it. I want to open the room directly to the outdoors but the current window opening is only 1200mm wide and the wall is 8 inches of solid concrete - not easy to cut to enlarge the opening - so I'm looking at either a hinged door with window inset into it or a standard size glass swing door with a narrow window beside for ventilation. My other challenge is doors for the relocated linen cpd, as the existing mirror doors have got to go! I loathe them. As the cpd will be visible from the living area, it needs stylish doors.