Should You Replace Your Tub with a Shower? 5 Must-Know Considerations

Thinking of removing your bathtub? Ask yourself these questions before taking the plunge.

According to the Houzz 2023 bathroom trend report, more than a quarter of homeowners are removing the tub during a bath renovation. When removing the tub, most people (77%) are enlarging their shower—and 20% of those new showers are at least 50% bigger than the old shower. Showers are certainly a hot trend and a prized feature of baths today, but removing a tub isn’t necessarily the right choice for every bathroom or home.

Questions to Ask When Considering Removing a Bathtub

We asked Ebony Stephenson of Designs by Ebony about important home design and lifestyle considerations you should think about before deciding to remove a tub. President of the Virginia State Chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association, Stephenson is also a Certified Living In Place Professional (CLIPP) and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), so she considers everything from good design to functionality—now and later—when advising clients.

1. Will children use the home?

“Do you currently have children? Will you consider having children in the future? Do you have or will you potentially have future grandchildren?” asks Stephenson. “If so, a tub may be necessary for bathing the little ones.” And though it’s not the same, pet owners may want to consider the question for bathing and caring for their pets as well.

2. Do you even use the tub?

“When thinking about removing a tub and prioritizing a shower, I always make sure to ask my clients if they ever like to sit and soak in a bathtub,” says Stephenson. Even if they don’t really do it now, do they wish they would, or would they like to in the future? If so, that’s a reason to keep it. “If the answer is no, you don’t use the tub, and you have another bathroom with a tub in it, then go ahead and take the tub out,” Stephenson says.

3. How many baths are in the home?

“If this is the only bathroom, then I urge clients to keep a tub of some sort for resale value,” says Stephenson. Having a tub allows more flexibility of functionality in the home; you can bathe kids or soak a sore body if needed. However, there are circumstances where retail value is less of a consideration. “For some clients, this is their forever home, so resale value does not matter to them,” says Stephenson. Homes in highly desirable neighborhoods may be less concerned about appealing to future buyers as well, Stephenson adds.

4. Where is the bath located and who uses it?

“Space, use, and location play a huge role when making such an important decision,” says Stephenson. “In the shared family bathroom, we usually do a bath/shower combo to meet the needs of many users with different ages, heights, abilities, and needs.” You may consider the same needs for a guest bath with varied users. On the other hand, in a primary bath, removing a tub may be less of a concern.

The location of the bath and tub are also factors to contemplate. According to Stephenson, the ease of moving and/or adding plumbing in a primary bath is impacted by things such as the direction of the floor joists, if the home is a single-family unit or a townhome/condo with shared walls, what floor the bath is located on, and if there’s a slab foundation or a crawl space access. Depending on the structure of the home, removing a tub may be a larger project than the homeowner really wants to commit to. 

5. Why do you want to remove the tub?

Is it that you don’t need or want a tub, or that you don’t like the current tub? “I find that when most clients want to remove their existing tub, it is because that tub is old and dated and they simply need a new tub with updated features,” says Stephenson. Today’s tubs have an array of health and wellness features that homeowners may not realize they can get with a tub. “Those features are appealing to clients and may sway them to incorporate a tub in the remodel, as long as there is enough room and their budget allows for it,” says Stephenson.

Pros and Cons of Removing a Tub During a Bathroom Remodel

A few pros and cons can also help inform your thinking when deciding if removing a tub is right for you.

Pros of Removing a Tub

Additional space. If you have a tub that you don’t use, especially when there’s another tub elsewhere in the home, removing the tub frees up space in that bathroom. The space can then be used however fits your lifestyle.

Increased accessibility. “Some clients are not able to lift their legs to be able to get into a tub,” says Stephenson. “In that case, I either advise them to remove the tub and replace it with a curbless shower, or if they want to keep a tub I suggest either a drop-in or undermount tub with a deck so that they can easily maneuver getting in and out of the tub.” Removing a tub can open space for a new shower or expand the size of an existing shower. Showers are more accessible than a tub, and increasing the size and altering the layout of an existing shower can make it even more accessible by allowing room for a wider, barrier-free entry, plenty of grab bars, and seating. Alternatively, removing a tub can give the room the floor space necessary for universal design.

Modernized layouts. Removing the tub and using the space to create a more contemporary bathroom has a modern appeal. Luxury showers have been a rising trend, but simply removing the tub can also update a dated layout, like taking out the classic 1990s corner tub.

Improved efficiency. Tubs require a lot of water to fill and use, and they are generally less water-efficient than showers. Think of taking out the tub as another move toward a more eco-smart design, like replacing outdated and leaky shower heads or toilets.

Cons of Removing a Tub

Cost and complexity of renovation. Removing a bathtub can be costly, especially if it's a heavy tub that's difficult to get out of the home. Renovating a bath without altering the footprint and plumbing will cost less and take less time than a more complex remodel.

No space for soaking. Although showers are being used to create luxurious and relaxing experiences, the ultimate at-home spa experience would include both the shower and a tub. Taking out a tub removes the ability for a relaxing or even a doctor-recommended soak for your physical wellness.

Lost functionality. Youngsters are cleaned in the tub, and so are some pets. Removing a tub means you can't accommodate those needs in that bathroom.

Should you remove the only tub in your home?

Generally, having at least one tub in the home has been considered standard. But is that still the norm? As mentioned above, Stephenson does encourage homeowners to keep at least one tub in the home for both functionality and resale value. While it may be less of a red flag for buyers today, not having a tub in the home eliminates the ability to easily bathe children and pets, or have a relaxing soak. However, homeowners have tended toward personalizing at-home experiences since 2020, especially in the bath. Ultimately the choice is yours, and as long as you consider your lifestyle, along with budget and space requirements, you can feel confident in the decision.  

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