Last Updated on June 17, 2025 by Advance Design Studio – Home Remodeling
Walk-In Shower vs Bathtub
When planning a bathroom remodel, one of the biggest questions homeowners face is this: Should I install a walk-in shower or a bathtub? The answer depends on your lifestyle, space, and future plans for your home.
This guide will walk you through the pros and cons of walk-in showers vs. bathtubs, including design considerations, functionality, costs, and which one makes the most sense for your needs.
Bathtubs: Comfort for Families and Soakers
Best for: Homeowners who have young children, enjoy taking baths, want to preserve resale value, or have a hall or shared bathroom remodel.
Bathtubs remain a staple in many homes because they offer versatility and familiarity. Whether you prefer a shower-tub combo or a freestanding soaking tub, there are plenty of design options to suit your space. If you have space, a bathroom with a walk-in shower and a separate freestanding tub gives you the best of both worlds. This is especially popular in large primary suite remodels, perfect for both luxury and flexibility. However, for smaller bathrooms, freestanding tubs can be less ideal due to their larger footprint, and they tend to require more time to keep clean on average.
Bathtub Pros
- Great for families with kids
- Soothing, spa-like feature
- Boosts resale appeal
- Available in many shapes, styles, and finish materials to match your aesthetics
Bathtub Cons
- Difficult for aging-in-place
- Less aesthetic appeal than a walk-in shower
- Longer cleaning and maintenance time
- Can require more square footage
- Larger tubs can require more water and feel bulkier
Walk-In Showers: Accessible and Space-Saving
Best for: Those who want aging-in-place solutions, cleaner shower designs, quicker bathroom routines, and smaller bath layouts.
From glass enclosures to curbless entry showers, walk-in shower designs add value and elegance to any bathroom. Features like built-in benches, rain heads, custom niches, and beautiful tile work make it easy to transform your shower into a relaxing, low-maintenance oasis. However, if your home only has one bathroom, opting for a shower-only layout can be limiting—especially for bathing young children or for future resale, as many buyers still look for at least one tub in the home. Glass enclosures also tend to require more frequent cleaning, and open-concent designs can sometimes allow water to escape onto the bathroom floor if not sloped properly.
Walk-In Shower Pros
- Aging-in-place solution (especially zero-threshold designs)
- Makes smaller bathrooms feel larger
- Easier to clean and maintain
- Allows for beautiful tile designs
- Ideal for modern primary bathrooms
Walk-In Shower Cons
- Not ideal for young children
- No soaking option
- Higher upfront installation cost for custom design features
- Less appealing for eventual resale if there are no other baths in the house
- Glass maintenance to reduce smudging/water marks
What About Wet Rooms?
If you have a spacious bathroom and are torn between a walk-in shower and a bathtub, there’s a third option gaining popularity in luxury bathroom remodels: the wet room.
A wet room is a fully waterproofed, open-concept bathroom where the shower is not confined by traditional barriers or enclosures. The bathtub is placed inside the same space as the shower, creating a spa-like, European-style design. While wet rooms are luxurious, they can require more labor and maintenance than traditional tubs or showers.
Wet Room Pros
- Fully waterproof and easy to clean
- Great for accessibility and mobility concerns
- Growing in popularity for resale value
- Combines both soaking and showering in one space
- Ideal for contemporary or minimalist designs
Wet Room Cons
- Higher upfront costs for design and installation
- Not ideal for small baths unless carefully planned
- Requires professional installation to ensure proper drainage and moisture control
- Install may not be possible in all bathrooms depending on the existing home’s construction
- May feel less private or less comfortable for shared bathrooms, unless privacy glass is used for the enclosure
How to Decide the Best Shower Option
Choosing between a walk-in and a tub will largely depend on your budget, priorities, and how you use your bathroom. Ask yourself:
- Who is using this bathroom daily?
- Do you enjoy taking long baths or quick showers?
- Is this your forever home, or do you plan to sell eventually?
- Will you or anyone using the home be aging in place?
- How much space do you have to work with?
- What aesthetics are important to you for your bath?
At Advance Design Studio, we help homeowners balance style, functionality, and value in every remodel. We’ll guide you through the design process to help you find the best solution for your home.