One of the most common decisions during a bathroom remodel is whether to install a walk-in shower, keep a bathtub, or design the bathroom with both.
There isn’t one option that’s automatically better for every home. The right choice depends on how the bathroom is used, who uses it, how much space is available, accessibility needs, maintenance preferences, and the overall goals of the remodel.
Quick answer: A walk-in shower can provide easier access, efficient use of space, and a more open bathroom layout. A bathtub can be valuable for households that regularly use one, particularly families with young children or homeowners who enjoy bathing. If space allows and both functions matter, including a separate shower and bathtub may also be an option.
Walk-In Shower vs. Bathtub at a Glance
| Factor | Walk-In Shower | Bathtub |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday Convenience | Easy for quick daily use | Useful for both bathing and, depending on configuration, showering |
| Accessibility | Can be designed with easier entry | Requires stepping over the tub edge |
| Space | Can work well in many bathroom layouts | Requires space for the tub footprint |
| Young Children | May be less convenient for bathing small children | Often practical for families with young children |
| Design | Can create an open, streamlined appearance | Can serve as a functional or design feature |
| Maintenance | Depends on glass, tile and shower design | Depends on tub material and surrounding finishes |
Why Are Walk-In Showers So Popular?
Walk-in showers can work particularly well when homeowners want to make the bathroom feel more open and simplify everyday use.
Depending on the design, a walk-in shower may include:
- Frameless or minimal glass
- Large-format tile
- Built-in niches
- Bench seating
- Handheld shower fixtures
- Multiple shower fixtures
- Low-threshold or curbless entry
- Integrated storage
The important point is that a walk-in shower isn’t simply a bathtub that has been removed. Its dimensions, drainage, waterproofing, fixtures, storage, accessibility, and surrounding finishes should all be planned together.
When Does a Walk-In Shower Make Sense?
A walk-in shower may be a strong option when:
- The bathtub is rarely or never used
- Easier entry is important
- The homeowner wants a larger shower area
- The existing bathroom feels visually crowded
- The remodel is focused on improving daily functionality
- The household prefers showering to bathing
For homeowners who use the shower every day and rarely use a bathtub, allocating more space to the shower may provide greater practical value.
What Are the Advantages of Keeping a Bathtub?
A bathtub continues to serve an important purpose in many homes.
It may be particularly useful for:
- Bathing young children
- Homeowners who regularly take baths
- Households that want both bathing and showering options
- Bathrooms where a tub-and-shower combination makes efficient use of space
The decision shouldn’t be based only on design trends. If a bathtub is regularly used by the household, removing it may reduce the bathroom’s functionality rather than improve it.
Should You Remove the Only Bathtub in the House?
This deserves more consideration than removing a bathtub from a home that already has another one.
Think about both current and potential future use.
Questions to consider include:
- Does anyone in the household currently use the bathtub?
- Are there young children in the home?
- Could the household’s needs change?
- Is there another bathtub elsewhere in the property?
- Would the additional shower space provide a meaningful everyday benefit?
There is no universal rule that every home must have a bathtub, but removing the only one should be an intentional decision rather than simply following a remodeling trend.
Which Option Works Better in a Small Bathroom?
Available space is one of the most important considerations.
In a compact bathroom, homeowners may need to choose between a tub-and-shower combination and a dedicated shower rather than trying to fit separate fixtures into the room.
A well-designed shower can sometimes make a smaller bathroom feel more open, particularly when visual barriers are minimized.
However, the shower still needs appropriate dimensions, drainage, waterproofing, door or glass placement, and circulation space.
The best layout is the one that improves usability rather than simply making the room appear larger.
What About a Separate Shower and Bathtub?
When the bathroom has sufficient space, homeowners may consider including both.
This configuration can provide:
- A dedicated shower for everyday use
- A separate bathtub when desired
- More flexibility for different household preferences
- Opportunities for a more customized bathroom layout
But fitting both fixtures into the room isn’t automatically better.
If doing so creates narrow walkways, limited storage, an undersized shower, or poor circulation, choosing one well-designed bathing area may produce a better bathroom.
Accessibility Should Be Part of the Decision
Accessibility can be an important reason to reconsider a traditional bathtub.
A bathtub requires users to step over its edge. A properly designed shower may allow easier entry and can incorporate features such as:
- Lower entry thresholds
- Bench seating
- Handheld shower fixtures
- Grab-bar planning
- More comfortable circulation
Accessibility isn’t only relevant to immediate mobility needs. Some homeowners consider how comfortably the bathroom will work as their needs change over time.
Any accessibility-related design should be developed around the specific user and project rather than assuming one configuration works for everyone.
Don’t Overlook Waterproofing
One of the most important parts of a shower remodel is largely invisible after construction is complete.
Tile itself isn’t the entire water-management system.
The shower assembly needs appropriate preparation, waterproofing, drainage, transitions, and installation details for the specific design.
Features such as niches, benches, curbless entries, corners, and other transitions require careful coordination because they interact directly with wet areas.
A beautiful shower depends on what is behind the finished tile as much as what homeowners can see.
Does a Walk-In Shower Cost More Than a Bathtub?
There isn’t a universal answer because the scope can vary significantly.
A project might involve keeping plumbing locations similar and installing a relatively straightforward shower, while another could include relocating plumbing, custom glass, extensive tile, built-in niches, benches, specialized fixtures, or layout changes.
Likewise, bathtub projects can range from straightforward replacements to more complex installations and surrounding finish work.
The actual scope and material selections matter more than simply comparing the words “shower” and “bathtub.”
For more information about bathroom project budgets, read what affects the cost of a bathroom remodel in Austin.
Which Is Easier to Maintain?
Maintenance depends heavily on the design and materials selected.
A shower with extensive glass and many grout lines may require different cleaning than a simpler configuration. Bathtubs also vary based on their material, surrounding tile, enclosure, fixtures, and how frequently they are used.
When maintenance is a priority, consider:
- Amount of glass
- Tile size
- Grout lines
- Niches and ledges
- Fixture finishes
- Accessibility for cleaning
These decisions can influence everyday ownership long after construction is finished.
Should Resale Value Determine Your Decision?
Resale may be one consideration, but it shouldn’t automatically override how the household actually uses the bathroom.
Future buyers can have different preferences, and the right configuration can vary based on the home, number of bathrooms, household needs, and overall layout.
Instead of designing entirely around a hypothetical future buyer, consider whether the project improves functionality while remaining appropriate for the property.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Shower or Bathtub
Before finalizing the bathroom layout, ask:
- How often do we actually use the bathtub?
- Is this the only bathtub in the home?
- Who uses this bathroom?
- Would easier shower access improve everyday use?
- How much space is available?
- Would including both fixtures compromise the layout?
- How important is maintenance?
- Are there accessibility considerations?
- Will plumbing locations change?
- What configuration best fits our long-term plans for the home?
Answering these questions is more useful than choosing a fixture based solely on what is currently popular.
How Does This Decision Affect the Bathroom Remodel Timeline?
Changing from a bathtub to a walk-in shower can involve more than replacing one fixture with another.
The project may affect demolition, plumbing, waterproofing, tile, drainage, glass, fixtures, and other finishes.
More customized configurations can require additional coordination.
For a broader look at project sequencing, read our guide to the bathroom remodeling timeline.
Planning a Bathroom Remodel in Austin?
Value Home Remodeling & Construction works with Austin-area homeowners to create bathrooms around the way they actually use the space.
Whether that means replacing an unused bathtub with a larger shower, maintaining a practical tub-and-shower configuration, or redesigning the entire bathroom, the decision should start with functionality before finishes.
Layout, plumbing, waterproofing, tile, storage, lighting, fixtures, and accessibility all need to work together as part of the complete project.
Explore our bathroom remodeling services in Austin, TX or contact Value HRC to discuss your bathroom project.
Key Takeaways
- A walk-in shower isn’t automatically better than a bathtub; the right choice depends on how the bathroom is used.
- Walk-in showers can provide easier access and make efficient use of available space.
- Bathtubs remain practical for households that regularly use them, particularly families with young children.
- Removing the only bathtub in a home deserves additional consideration.
- Including both a shower and bathtub only makes sense when the bathroom can accommodate them comfortably.
- Waterproofing and drainage are critical parts of any shower conversion.
- Maintenance depends on the complete design and materials, not simply whether the bathroom has a shower or tub.
- Functionality should guide the decision before trends or appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Walk-In Showers and Bathtubs
Is it better to have a bathtub or walk-in shower?
It depends on how the bathroom is used. A walk-in shower may provide easier access and more shower space, while a bathtub remains useful for people who regularly take baths or need one for young children.
Should I replace my bathtub with a walk-in shower?
It may make sense if the bathtub is rarely used and a larger or more accessible shower would improve everyday functionality. Consider whether another bathtub exists in the home and how household needs may change before deciding.
Is it a bad idea to remove the only bathtub in a house?
Not necessarily, but it deserves careful consideration. Evaluate current household needs, potential future use, the home’s other bathrooms, and whether the benefits of the new shower outweigh keeping a bathtub.
Can a walk-in shower work in a small bathroom?
Yes, depending on the dimensions and layout. A dedicated shower can sometimes create a more open feeling, but appropriate drainage, waterproofing, circulation, and enclosure design still need to be considered.
Can I have both a bathtub and walk-in shower?
Yes, when the bathroom has enough space to accommodate both without compromising circulation, storage, or usability. In smaller rooms, one well-designed bathing area may work better.
What should I consider before converting a tub to a shower?
Consider available space, plumbing, drainage, waterproofing, accessibility, glass or enclosure design, tile, storage, whether another bathtub exists in the home, and how the bathroom will be used long term.