Jim The Bathroom Guy

If you’re staring at a tiny bathroom and thinking, “I really just need everything to fit somehow…”, you might be wondering if you can move your toilet into the shower area to gain some space. I am here to tell you that yes, you can, and maybe, depending on a few guidelines you need to follow, which I will cover below.

The Practical Stuff: Are You Allowed?

In Australia, the National Construction Code (NCC) doesn’t say “no” to putting a toilet in the shower. But here’s the catch: your whole bathroom becomes a wet area, which means:

• Waterproofing matters — walls, floors, and the space around your toilet all need to handle getting wet.
• Drainage matters — the floor must slope correctly so water flows to the drain and doesn’t pool around your toilet.

In other words, it’s legal, but it needs to be done properly which I know sounds obvious, but this is not a DIY renovation type of wet room.

Pros and Cons of a Toilet-in-Shower Setup

Here’s the real-world stuff you need to know before deciding:

Pros:

• Saves space — perfect for tiny bathrooms, en-suites, or apartments where every centimetre counts.
• Modern wet room look — some people love the open, minimalist vibe.
• Allows for larger items – Maybe you want a bigger vanity or larger shower, this allows that.
• Saves money on the screen – Often in these types of layout you will need a full screen, but having an open shower with the toilet reduces the cost

Cons:

• Everything gets wet — toilet paper, floor mats, even the toilet seat itself if you’re not careful.
• Off-putting – Can be off-putting to someone who doesn’t really understand the point of it
• Can cost more – If the toilet waste needs to be moved to that area
• Accessibility – Unlike traditional open showers, having a toilet at the entrance can limit wheelchairs or people with mobility struggles.

Practical Tips if You’re Going for It

1. Waterproof everything – floors, walls, and around the toilet. If you’re renovating upstairs, don’t skimp
2. Slope the floor – water needs to flow straight to the drain, not pool around your feet (or toilet).
3. Screen size matters – Don’t forget you ideally want at least 600mm screen for some water splashing
4. Mark it out – Mark out the spacing on the floor to see if you can get around the toilet and screen going in.
5. Never DIY This – This is one of those renovations you should always employ an expert for, like all wet rooms, they are complicated.

Most Common Bathroom Set Up (With Toilet In The Shower)

Below is a before and after of the most common type of toilet in a shower we do.

To give you some relation to how these renovations go I will just give a few dot points to help navigate these types of renovations in relation to this space.

This bathroom is 1.8m x 1.8m it is your classic late 80’s into the 90’s small ensuite set up. Below is what we changed it into

As you can see from the change by having the toilet in the direct splash of the shower, you allow for a larger feeling shower. The lack of a door makes it feel less cramped and easier to clean.

The space looks cleaner and allows you to show off nice tiles or really upgrade a small bathroom.

Hands down, the biggest reason I love a concept like this is it takes a room that would otherwise feel really cramped and opens it up in a responsible way.

Bottom Line

Yes, it’s allowed — but it’s not something to do without putting in a lot of planning. If you get the waterproofing, drainage, and layout right, a toilet-in-shower setup can be a lifesaver in a tiny bathroom. Just be realistic about the wetness factor and plan carefully — it’s all about making a small space practical.

Often clients can get extreme with having no screen or partian which is their right, but I personally feel it then becomes more of a hospital feel bathroom set up so being balanced is important. DON’T do this type of renovation if you are not comfortable with water splashing everywhere, your body can splash it.

Disclaimer: It’s important to note that all our advice is general in nature and all bathrooms are unique, so speak to your local qualified tradesman for the best advice and make your own informed decisions after seeing a specialist tradesperson.

Looking for some more bathroom renovations for inspiration. Check out my Instagram page below with tons of helpful pics and video guides

Instagram @jimthebathroomguy