Why You Should Replace Your Tub with a Shower

There are many factors to consider when planning a bath design, from the vanity cabinet storage to tile selections, plumbing fixtures, and color schemes. One of the key decisions in any bathroom remodel is whether to include a separate tub and shower, a tub/shower combination, or only a shower.

For some homeowners the choice is simple, but for others, this decision can be one of the most difficult they make when planning a bath remodel. If your existing bathroom has a tub, you may be nervous about getting rid of the tub in favor of a larger shower. Even if you don’t use the tub, you may think this is a must-have feature for any full bathroom.

In fact, more homeowners than ever are deciding to remove their tubs so they can install the shower they always wanted. A 2023 Houzz bathroom trend report showed that more than a quarter of those surveyed removed a tub during a remodel, and 77% of those removing the tub opted to enlarge their shower. This indicates that more homeowners choose to suit their own needs in a remodel rather than remodeling based on other factors like the real estate market.

Still not sure which option fits your needs? Let’s explore the reasons to replace a tub with a shower to help you make this decision.

Which one is right for your bath design?

There are many factors to consider when choosing whether removing the tub is right for your new bathroom. These include space, lifestyle, personal preferences, and more.

• Do you have more than one full bathroom in your home? If so, then you only need to keep a tub in at most one of these bathrooms, even if you plan to sell your home.

• How much space do you have in the bathroom you intend to remodel? If this is a large master bath, then you may have enough room for both a freestanding tub and a large shower.

• Who lives in your home? A family with young children has more need for a tub than one with older kids or all adults in the home. On the other hand, a home with older family members or one designed for aging in place should focus on the accessibility provided by a large shower.

• What are your personal preferences? If no one in your home enjoys a bath and you don’t plan to move soon, then why keep the tub?

• If you do plan to sell, what is your local demographic and real estate market like? If your neighborhood is mainly retirees or younger families, plan your design features accordingly.

  Your answers to these questions will help guide you in making a decision that is right for your home, family, and lifestyle.

Will a shower help you maximize your available space?

A shower enclosure, especially an open style or frameless glass enclosure, gives the illusion of more space. A customized shower design also lets you fit a better shower into awkward spaces like an alcove or a narrow bath design. Extra space freed up by removing a tub can also be used to enhance your bathroom’s storage. Even in a larger bathroom, focusing on a shower instead of a tub lets you create the ultimate luxurious shower for a bathroom with a spa vibe.

Which is better for a small bath design?

When space is limited, a shower is a clear winner. If your bathroom really needs a tub, for example, if you have young children, then a combination tub/shower is the answer. However, if you are ready to ditch the tub you have the opportunity to create a luxurious shower enclosure in a compact space.

Is a shower more convenient than a bath?

Showers are typically more efficient timewise since you don’t need to wait for the tub to fill up and don’t tend to spend as long in the shower as you would in a bath.  While you can linger in the shower, you can also shower more quickly when time is at a premium. A bath on the other hand encourages you to spend longer soaking in the tub. This makes showers a top choice for convenience with a busy, modern lifestyle.

How will a shower enclosure impact your bathroom’s design style?

Showers are on trend and provide a sleek, modern style, with many options for personalizing your shower with tiles, fixtures, and more. A customized, spacious shower enclosure becomes a natural focal point for your bath design. From frameless glass panels to a customized half wall or even a fully open shower, the materials and style you select help to set the tone for your bathroom’s aesthetic.

The more open your shower, the more you can show off your shower tile. The size, shape, color, texture, and pattern of your shower tile all combine to enhance your design style. Plumbing fixtures like showerheads, shower trim, and even extras like grab bars accent your design with their shape, material, and finish.

Which option is better for aging in place and accessibility?

For aging in place or when designing for anyone with mobility issues, a shower is the clear winner. Tubs can be ideal for homes with very young children, but for anyone else showers are the more accessible option. Even in a home with children, showers can be configured with built-in seats and handheld showerheads to assist small children with showering.

For anyone with limited mobility, a bathtub can be a major hazard. This is because you have to lift your legs to step into the bath and rely on balance to steady yourself.  With an open, curbless shower you can create a fully accessible space, even one that can be accessed in a wheelchair or with another mobility aid.  Add non-slip flooring and grab bars along with your built-in seating to create a truly safe and enjoyable showering experience for every family member.

Is a shower or bath more energy-efficient?

A typical shower takes less water than filling a tub, which makes it a clear winner regarding energy efficiency. This can vary depending on your showerheads as some are more efficient than others and also depends on how long you spend in the shower. In general, opting for a shower saves water and therefore reduces energy bill expenditures.

Is a shower easier to clean and maintain than a bathtub?

Typically, there are fewer surfaces to clean in a shower enclosure than in a tub. Those surfaces are also easier to access, particularly in a spacious shower enclosure. Just how simple your cleaning and maintenance routine will be also depends in large part on the materials and style you choose for your shower. For example, larger-format tiles and frameless glass enclosure showers are much easier to clean. They also require less maintenance in the long term than bathtubs or even showers with more intricate designs. You could even go one step further and include a fully open shower style for the ultimate easy-to-clean shower!

If you stick to quality materials for your new shower design, it will also be more likely to last and won’t require repairs or updates for many years. When selecting your shower design and materials, just remember you will have to live with, clean, and maintain this bath design feature, so go for a final design that fits your lifestyle as much as it fits your design preferences.

Will your choice affect your home’s resale value?

The current trend is toward replacing tubs with showers unless you are remodeling a spacious bathroom with room for both a tub and shower. Homebuyers have recently shown a preference for more luxurious showers, so this trend fits both the preferences of many existing homeowners as well as potential homebuyers.

Focusing on a luxurious shower enclosure creates an eye-catching space that will enhance your lifestyle and attract potential buyers. The exception could be if you live in an area popular with young families. However, as discussed previously, if you have more than one bathroom it is only necessary to maintain a tub in one of them.

Ultimately, you as the homeowner are the only one who can answer the question of whether you should keep or ditch the bathtub. Think about your family, lifestyle, personal preferences, how long you plan to stay in your home, and the available space in the bathroom you plan to remodel.

Consider your remodeling goals and priorities and bring this information with you to your first design consultation with your bath remodeling expert. Let them help you understand the options and see the possibilities for your new bathroom. Whichever option you choose, a new bath design with improved functionality and storage, enhanced materials, and an updated color scheme is sure to brighten up your home and daily life!