A small shared bathroom: bigger shower, more storage, or easier upkeep?

I’d give upkeep more weight than either maximum shower or vanity size: in a small room, fewer awkward corners and surfaces to keep clear can make the everyday routine feel easier. I’d still protect enough vanity space for two people’s essentials, using closed storage rather than letting toiletries spread across the counter, and take the extra space for the shower only if it wouldn’t make that storage impractical.

When you say enough vanity space for two people’s essentials, would you prioritize separate closed storage for each person, or a bit more shared counter space for getting ready at the same time?

I’d lean toward enough shared counter space for two people to use at once, with each person’s everyday essentials tucked into separate closed compartments. That keeps the surface useful during a busy morning without letting either person’s things permanently claim it.

Your upkeep-first approach also makes me wary of concealing fittings just for a seamless look. I’d keep service access straightforward, then get visual simplicity from closed storage and clear surfaces instead. That seems a better everyday compromise than making a future repair awkward to reach.

I’d use open shelving selectively: a shelf for towels keeps them easy to grab, while toiletries can stay in closed compartments so the vanity looks clear between uses. That gives the shelf a practical job without turning it into extra display space to keep tidy.

For example, I’d keep the shower comfortable rather than squeezing it down to the bare minimum, then give any remaining width to a usable shared counter and closed storage underneath. That puts the extra space where two people can benefit without adding open shelving to keep tidy.

Your layout gives the shared counter a useful role, but the value depends on what overlaps in the morning. If one person is showering while the other gets ready at the sink, counter space may matter more; if they can take turns, I’d lean toward preserving shower comfort. Which tasks do you think are most likely to happen at once?

If one person can shower while the other uses the sink, I’d make sure the shared counter is genuinely usable rather than just a narrow ledge; that overlap gives it real everyday value. If they can usually take turns, I’d give the extra width to shower comfort instead, since the counter won’t be serving two people at once as often.