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Is a Tiny House Shower Toilet Combo Worth It?

Are you planning to move into a tiny home or a camper van?

Well, there is so much that comes with living in a tiny home.

First, you’ll need to downsize your lifestyle as you have limited space to play with.

And secondly, you’ll need to figure out how you’ll shower and handle other businesses, which is the tricky part.

For many people just learning about the tiny lifestyle and tiny homes in general, there is always the question of how to fit in a bathroom/toilet combo in a tiny home.

And to be honest, this can be pretty challenging when you live in a small space, mainly because you can’t seem to use the regular toilets you have in traditional homes.

And since tiny houses don’t have access to regular septic systems and sewages, you’ll have to opt for alternative bathroom/toilet options.

In today’s guide, we will bring you up to speed on everything you need to know about tiny house shower/toilet combos and provide you with a list of some of the best we have come across so far.

So let’s jump right in, shall we?

Shower toilet combo options for tiny homes

If you plan to live in a tiny house, by now, you should know you need essential amenities such as a working shower and toilet.

Good for you; we have found some options that work just fine in your tiny home.

Remember that these tiny house shower toilet combos have unique advantages and letdowns.

Read on as we take you through the details.

Portable toilet stored in a shower

If you’re looking to have a bathroom combo in your tiny home, you won’t be disappointed to have a shower stall and a portable toilet to go with it.

Typically, the portable toilet is stored inside your shower stall for easy access.

This type of design saves you a lot of headaches.

To start with, you’ll have a built-in shower stall.

Once that’s done, you can simply get a portable toilet you can store in the stall.

People who have this type of bathroom toilet combo will typically take out the portable toilet when they have their bath.

Take a look at some pros and cons of this shower toilet combo option.

Pros

  • Depending on what works for you, you can set up this bathroom toilet combo option inside your tiny home or outside.
  • With this shower toilet combo, you’re guaranteed privacy and comfort.
  • You can use both the toilet and shower simultaneously.
  • Thanks to being fitted with waterproof doors, you’re sure your tiny house isn’t at risk of water damage.

Cons

  • It can be pretty challenging to move it around sometimes.
  • If you live in a tiny house on wheels and have this bathroom option installed, you have to store it properly, especially when the van is in motion. Failure to do this may result in noise and damage.
  • You may need the services of a professional to build a shower stall in your tiny home.

Toilet combo and shower wet bath

Solving your tiny house toilet problems will involve thinking outside the box.

Talking about that, you can opt for a toilet combo and shower wet bath.

What’s unique about wet baths is that they have a built-in shower, toilet, and sink.

Some top options available on the market include a towel holder and a mirror.

Designed to have wet surfaces, wet baths are the best option for tiny house owners looking to enjoy all the comforts of a home in a tiny house.

Pros

  • Having a wet bath in your home comes with a lot of advantages. Here are some of them:
  • With a wet bath installed in your home, you can access all the amenities you need in one place.
  • You enjoy optimum privacy, just like you always have in a traditional home.
  • With this option, you don’t have to move around with a portable toilet.
  • It’s an excellent option if you plan to live full-time in your tiny home.

Cons

  • This toilet option takes up ample space in your home.
  • It is pretty expensive to install
  • You’ll need to invest in additional equipment and pay for plumbing
  • The equipment can be heavy, so handling it may be an issue.

Pull out shower with portable toilet

This is perhaps the most brilliant shower toilet combo we have come across.

This bathroom option involves having a pull-out shower along with a portable toilet.

To be precise, the pull-out shower is crafted out of a utility sink and placed in a pull-out drawer nicely constructed in your home.

When you aren’t using it, you simply have to put it back into the cabinet.

On the flip side, you simply have to take it out of the cabinet and attach the portable shower head to a nearby tap to take your bath.

For privacy, this bathroom option comes with a shower curtain which is excellent for privacy and water control.

To complete the combo, you can store a portable toilet near the pull-out shower.

Pros

  • Thanks to its space-saving design, this toilet option helps maximize the limited space in your tiny home as you can nicely tuck everything away in a drawer when not in use.
  • It is a lot cheaper than installing a comprehensive shower stall or wet bath.
  • The weight is pretty manageable, so you have nothing to worry about.

Cons

  • You have limited privacy with this option. Even though it comes with a makeshift curtain for privacy, you don’t get all the privacy you deserve.
  • It’s not very comfortable. With this option, all you have is a shower sink. So there is not a lot of room to move around.
  • It is a bit technical. And since it is kind of a makeshift bathroom combo, you’ll need to think outside the box to ensure it fits in your home.
  • Shower and toilet are separate: While you have to store the shower in a pull-out cabinet, you need to have the portable toilet close by too. Although the design may improve flexibility, it doesn’t really make for a decent bathroom.

No shower and toilet option

If you live in a tiny house on wheels and plan to journey into the wild, you’ll have to rely on the great outdoors for your toilet and shower needs.

For those looking to cut costs, this is perhaps the most affordable option in the books.

While, on the one hand, it saves you cost, it also helps you save a lot of space in your tiny home.

If you decide to go this route, we want to encourage you to respect the environment and keep it clean.

We have come across scenes where people mess the whole place up with toilet paper, and honestly, this isn’t fair to the environment.

Similarly, it’s best to use natural soapy water when showering in the wild.

This type of soap does not cause damage to the environment.

Pros

  • It is among the cheapest option in the books. With this option, you won’t spend so much on maintaining your tiny home.
  • Having this option means you can seamlessly travel off track without bothering too much about how you’re going to dispose of waste.
  • It saves you quite some space. And yes, you don’t have to worry about storing your portable toilet.

Cons

  • Inconvenient: Trust us when we say it can be pretty inconvenient to go outdoors to handle your bathroom and toilet needs. Not just that, it can also be pretty uncomfortable when it is raining or snowing.
  • Opting for this option means you’d have to shower less frequently. So overall, it would affect your cleanliness.

Setting up a shower stall to accommodate a portable toilet: How to go about it

If you want a nice shower along with a portable toilet, you’ll need to have ample space in your tiny home to build a shower stall.

Also, you need to shop for the perfect portable toilet that fits nicely in the shower.

While some tiny houses on wheels come with pre-installed shower stalls, you may need to install one if your tiny home doesn’t already have a shower stall.

Here is how to set up a shower stall that can house a portable toilet.

  • Start by creating a frame for your shower. To do this, you’ll need to measure the space you have to play with. Once that’s done, you’ll need to build a frame for the shower. If you can’t do that on your own, we suggest you get a professional to do it.
  • Make room for lighting: When setting up the frame, please make room for light sources, as you don’t want to have your bath in the dark.
  • Include shower walls: For the shower walls, we suggest you use waterproof panels to create that. Also, ensure you layer that over the wood. You can follow this up by sealing up any gaps with silicon. This will prevent water from escaping and damaging the foundations of your shower frame.
  • Add a shower pan to the base: Having a shower pan in your stall is incredibly important, especially considering that it helps collect water from the shower and channel it to the drain. More so, it also helps protect the shower floor and foundation of your home. When shopping for a shower stall, we strongly recommend going for one made from thermoformed ABS.
  • Install plumbing: Once you have your shower pan installed, you can connect it to your home’s plumbing. Doing this will help channel drained water to the right place. Again, if you’re finding it hard getting this done or you don’t want to get your hands dirty, we suggest you seek professional help.
  • Install a shower head: While connecting your plumbing, another thing you want to do is install the showerhead. You can browse through Amazon to find the perfect shower head for your bathroom.
  • Install shower door and curtain: If you want to have some privacy while showering or using the toilet, we suggest you install a shower door. Also, having a curtain will provide extra privacy.

How to install a wet bath in a tiny home

If your tiny home doesn’t already have a wet bathroom installed, we will show you some tips to easily have one installed.

Though it can be pretty challenging if you plan to do it yourself, you can always consult a professional if you get stuck.

Here are some critical steps to follow to install a wet bath in a tiny home.

  • Know the size of your wet bath and build the frame: While doing this, please take into cognizance all the space you’ll need, including the shower area, toilet area, and sink.
  • Install waterproof walls: Since you’ll be dealing with a lot of water, we suggest you install waterproof walls. With this in place, you can ensure your home is protected from water damage.
  • Install shower pan and showerhead
  • Install your preferred toilet system: Most wet baths we have come across feature a cassette toilet. For those new to all this, this type of toilet comes with fixed, portable tanks. Thanks to its design, it makes cleaning super easy.
  • Install a waterproof door: Having this will protect your home from any type of rust or water damage.

Top shower toilet combos for tiny homes

When it comes to choosing the best shower toilet combos for tiny homes, you’ll be spoilt for choice as there are lots of amazing options on the market.

For tiny house owners who already have a shower in their home and looking to add a toilet that fits into that space, you’re welcome to explore some of the portable toilet options we will be reviewing shortly.

These portable toilets are practical, space-saving, and affordable, so you won’t dig too deep into your savings to get one that fits your bathroom perfectly.

Let’s jump right in, shall we?

C-Head Portable Composting Toilet

We recommend buying this brilliant composting toilet if you have ample space in your tiny house bathroom.

Though it is pretty large, it should fit perfectly into your tiny house bathroom without eating too much into your bathing space.

What we love most about this composting toilet is that it separates urine from solid.

For instance, urine is diverted to an easy-to-empty jug.

On the flip side, solid waste is channeled to a hemp line tank, where they are left to compost without producing any odors.

To ensure your tiny home smells fresh, we recommend emptying the tank at least twice a week, especially if you’re flushing toilet paper.

The only caveat with this toilet is that it is pretty expensive and costs $825 per unit.

Separett Composting Toilet

This company has a reputation for making some of the best composting toilets for tiny homes.

What is so unique about this composting toilet is that it is designed to fit nicely into your tiny house bathroom.

So if you have always wanted a practical shower toilet combo in your tiny house and looking for the perfect toilet for it all, you’ll be thrilled to check out the all-amazing Separett composting toilet.

Like many composting toilets, Separett has a brilliant design where urine and solid waste are channeled to separate tanks.

As per cleaning, the company recommends users dump liquid waste 2 to 3 times a week.

On the flip side, solid waste should be dumped once a week.

One of the cool features of this toilet is the Separett logo which turns red when the tanks are full.

to this brilliant feature, you’ll know exactly when to empty your tanks.

Also, as per solid, the tank comes with a lined compostable bag, making cleaning out solid waste a stroll in the park.

Another thing we love about this composting toilet is its 12V fan, which exhausts moisture and keeps your home smelling fresh all day long.

Unfortunately, this composting toilet is expensive and will cost you $1,050.

But the good part is that it is compact and will fit perfectly into your tiny house bathroom.

Nature’s Head Composting Toilet

If you’re on the market for a portable toilet for your tiny house shower, you’ll be hard-picked to find any better than Nature’s Head Composting Toilet at the moment.

What we like most about this brilliant toilet option for tiny homes is that it is self-contained and leverages the dry composting method, which doesn’t require water.

That said, this toilet option requires venting, which involves drilling a hole in your home along with 12V power.

With this toilet in place, you can comfortably enjoy toilet times and flush toilet papers without a hassle.

This toilet has a tank that can house 2.2 gallons of urine.

In terms of cleaning, you can get rid of liquid waste every 3-4 days.

Another cool thing about this composting toilet is that its solid tank can last 60 to 80 uses, a feat many other composting toilets have yet to achieve.

The company behind this product recommends removing solid waste every three weeks.

Also, they ask users to keep the tank filled with coconut fiber or peat moss.

Although this toilet is super comfortable, keep in mind that it is expensive, big, and will surely take up some space in your bathroom.

In terms of pricing, this toilet costs $995.

Thetford Porta Potti

For tiny house owners interested in a portable toilet great for all-around use, you’ll not be disappointed to check out the Thetford Porta Potti.

Most users love this portable toilet because it is practical, comfortable, compact, and great for occasional use.

While this cassette toilet was initially designed as a chemical toilet and is excellent for camping, you can use it without chemicals.

While using this toilet, we strongly recommend getting a deodorizer to keep your home smelling fresh.

The cool thing about this toilet is that it works like your traditional flush toilet.

Simply open the valve and use it as a standard flush toilet.

Once you’re done, flush with fresh water stored in the internal tank.

Unfortunately, this toilet doesn’t separate solids, so consider shopping for a portable toilet for your tiny house bathroom.

The exciting part is that it is affordable and only costs $150.

Similarly, its 5.5-gallon tank can conveniently handle 50+ flushes.

Dometic

The Dometic 970 is among the best portable chemical toilet on the market.

It is pretty similar to the Thetford Porta Potti.

Thanks to its compact design, this toilet will work perfectly with your tiny house bathroom.

With a 19L waste tank capacity and an easy-to-use push button flush, you can handle your business effortlessly.

Another brilliant thing about this toilet is that it has a pump handle.

All you need to do is pump the handle to pressurize, then hit the button to flush away.

It’s that easy.

This toilet also has a prismatic tank level indicator, which helps users know when to dump.

Like the Thetford camper potty, this potty is designed to be used with chemicals.

That said, you can use it without chemicals.

But to keep your home smelling fresh, we encourage you to get a deodorizer.

And yes, you don’t have to install this toilet before you can start using it.

Additionally, it is super easy to clean.

As per pricing, this toilet costs $150 and is also great for camping.

Luggable Loo

If you’re looking for a portable toilet that is cheap and easy to maintain, you’ll love the all-amazing Luggable Loo.

However, while this toilet is practical and compact, it isn’t as convenient as other toilets we have reviewed so far.

More so, you’ll have to deal with more smell.

Unlike the other toilet options, which either use compost or waste tanks, this portable toilet is an all-in-one toilet.

What this simply means is that you have to dump it daily to keep your home smelling fresh all day long.

While this portable toilet is great for tiny house bathrooms, it can also be used when stealth camping in urban areas.

When using this toilet, we strongly recommend lining the bucket with a bag.

This makes disposal easy.

Compared to other toilet options we have explored, this one is quite affordable and costs only $50.

And because of its compact design, it doesn’t take up so much space.

Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Folding Toilet

This folding toilet is one of a kind and will fit nicely in your tiny house bathroom.

As its name suggests, you can also use it for stealth camping.

If you want a portable toilet that won’t take too much space in your home, you’ll love the Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Folding Toilet.

Once you unfold the toilet, you can simply line it with camping toilet bags.

This makes it easy to dispose of waste.

While this toilet is compact and a portable option you should have in your home, it will also work as a backup solution for emergencies.

Unfortunately, the bags are a tad expensive.

More so, it is not compostable.

To this end, you’ll have to use chemicals to manage the odor within your home.

What we love most about this toilet option is that it is affordable and won’t cost you a fortune.

If you plan to use this toilet for stealth camping, we strongly recommend you get a toilet tent.

With a toilet tent that folds nicely into a backpack, you can move around effortlessly with your portable toilet.

What you should consider when shopping for a portable toilet

Before deciding which portable toilet option works best for you, its important to factor in these things.

Price

Price is an essential factor you want to consider before buying any shower toilet combo.

As per pricing, different portable toilets have their unique pricing.

For instance, composting toilets are a tad expensive and cost between $500 to $1000.

On the flip side, chemical and cassette toilets are a bit more affordable and cost $100 to $300.

Size/weight and capacity

There is no doubt that the size of your portable toilet is important, especially given the limited space in your tiny house.

And as you’ll agree, with the limited space available in your home, you should be opting for something that doesn’t take up too much space.

As per capacity, it’s important you consider how frequently you want to dump the waste.

Though this may sound a bit odd, we think it’s best to opt for a toilet with a smaller capacity waste tank.

The reason for this is that it makes it easy to keep your home fresh.

With a larger waste tank, things can get nasty as you may be forced to keep using the toilet until it fills up.

Cleaning and maintenance

If you live in a tiny house, you’ll agree that keeping your space clean is super important.

For this purpose, we recommend getting a chemical toilet as it is designed to help manage the odor generated.

Not just chemicals, you can also use peat moss or kitty litter to keep things pretty clean.

When opting for a chemical or portable toilet, we strongly recommend going for toilets that are easy to clean.

To keep the whole place smelling fresh, we suggest using natural cleaners like lemon and vinegar juice.

It will help freshen the holding tank.

Quick reminder: Never use bleach when cleaning out your toilet.

This is because mixing up with ammonia urine will trigger a harmful chemical reaction.

Easy installation

Most portable tiny house toilets are easy to install.

Also, their compact design makes it easy to move them around.

If you decide to opt for proper flush RV-style toilets, keep in mind that you’ll need to do some plumbing work to connect everything nicely.

Also, with Composting toilets, you’ll need to keep the entire setup in one place because it requires venting and power.

Frequently asked questions

Are tiny homes shower combo an expensive option?

If you plan to have a shower combo in your home, you’ll need to prepare your budget as this option can be a tad expensive.

Besides the money you’ll spend setting up your bathroom space, you’ll spend extra on a portable toilet.

Let’s assume you opted for a composting toilet; you’ll spend between $500 and more.

On the contrary, you’ll spend less if you opt for a portable potty toilet.

Looking at this breakdown, you’ll agree that setting up a shower toilet combo will cost you a lot.

Can I build a shower bathroom combo in my tiny house?

If you have the knowledge and skill set and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, you’ll definitely be able to build a decent shower toilet combo in your home.

But things can be tricky if you don’t have the relevant skills or tools to go with it.

To save you all that hassle, we strongly recommend you opt for the services of an expert.

How much does a portable toilet cost?

When it comes to portable toilets for tiny homes, there are different options on the market.

So pricing will most likely depend on what you’re willing to spend.

For composting toilets, you’ll end up spending between $500 or more.

Other cheaper options will cost you a few hundred dollars.