This is one of the most common questions I get in a bathroom consultation, and there isn’t a single right answer, it depends on who uses the bathroom and how. After 25 years remodeling bathrooms across the Sacramento area, here’s how I actually walk clients through this decision.
The Case for a Walk-In Shower
A walk-in shower opens up the room, makes daily use easier, and tends to photograph beautifully with large-format tile and frameless glass. For homeowners who use the shower daily and only reach for a bath a few times a year, it’s usually the better use of both budget and square footage.
The Case for Keeping a Tub
That said, I always ask two questions before recommending tub removal: is there a child in the house who still needs bathing, and is this the only bathroom in the home? If either is true, I generally recommend keeping at least one tub somewhere in the house. It also matters for resale in a family-oriented market, a home with zero bathtubs can be a turn-off for buyers with young kids, even if the primary suite has a beautiful shower.
What About Both?
If the bathroom has the square footage, a separate soaking tub and walk-in shower gives you the best of both. This is more common in primary suites than secondary bathrooms, where space is usually tighter. On a recent project in El Dorado Hills, we did exactly this, a frameless glass walk-in shower and a freestanding soaking tub sharing the same primary bathroom, so the homeowners never had to choose between the two.
My Honest Recommendation
For a primary or guest bathroom with no other tub in the house, I lean toward keeping one. For a secondary or hall bathroom in a home that already has a tub elsewhere, a walk-in shower is usually the better use of space and budget. It really comes down to your household, not what’s trending.
If you’re weighing this decision for your own bathroom, my team at America’s Advantage Remodeling can walk through your space and talk through what actually makes sense for how you live, not just what looks good in photos.
FAQ Section (PAA-sourced, answer-first for AEO)
Q: Should I remove my bathtub for a walk-in shower?
A: If the tub isn’t used daily and you have another tub elsewhere in the home, removing it for a walk-in shower is a popular upgrade that opens up the room. If this is your only tub and you have young children, or you’re concerned about resale, it’s worth keeping at least one tub in the home.
Q: Does removing a bathtub hurt home resale value?
A: It can, if the home ends up with zero bathtubs. Buyers with young children often look for at least one tub in the house, so many homeowners keep a tub in a secondary bathroom even while converting the primary suite to a walk-in shower.
Q: Is a walk-in shower more expensive than a bathtub?
A: Cost depends on materials and tile more than the fixture type itself. A walk-in shower with frameless glass and custom tile can cost more than a standard tub, but a simple shower conversion can also be less expensive than a high-end freestanding tub.
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