People bathed in bathtubs until modern plumbing made it possible for the most U.S. homes to have a shower starting around the 1920s. Since then, we’ve seen trends come and go when it comes to bathtubs and showers in home bathrooms.
For many, a large soaking tub has been–and still is—the hallmark of an upscale master bathroom. But, overall, homeowners tend to use their shower more than their bath. A recent study also found online searches for walk-in showers surged by 100%. At Arieli, we’ve seen signs that showers may be replacing tubs. We’ve had clients ask us to scrap the bathtub in their bathroom and install a larger shower instead.
While a long soak in a deep soaking tub can be a relaxing end to a long day, there are many compelling reasons for showers to completely replace tubs in the modern home. A large, luxury shower can be just as satisfying and elegant.
Here are six reasons to consider including showers in your new custom home design or replacing a tub with a luxury shower during your home renovation.
1) Showers are more accessible. Getting in and out of a shower is much easier than a bath tub. So, if you have someone in your home who has a disability or who’s older and less mobile, a larger shower might be a good option. Showers can be built so they’re walk-in, with no ledges to step over. You can also add customized built-in benches, grab bars and even non-slip tiles.
2) Showers are quick and convenient. Nothing beats a shower when you need to wash your body quickly. You don’t have to wait for the water to warm up and then an entire tub to fill. Simply hop in, soap up and rinse off. This is a good option if, because of your lifestyle – maybe you’re an athlete or you exercise often – you find yourself bathing very frequently.
3) You can conserve water with a shower. Showers only use around two-thirds the amount of water of baths if you take a quick shower, around 10-15 gallons versus up to 70 gallons. With showers, you can control the amount of water you’re using based on the fixture you use. Some fixtures are made with water conservation in mind. You can also try taking a Navy shower, or a way of showering where you conserve water by turning off the faucet while you soap up your hair and body.
4) Cleaning a shower is easier. It’s easy for dirt and dead cells to stick to the walls of a soaking tub, building up grime that you have to spend time and muscle scrubbing off. A shower can be easier to both clean and maintain. Steam is a great tool to loosen dirt on shower walls. If you squeegee after every shower and turn on the fan in the bathroom, you’ll help keep mold at bay and regular cleaning will be simpler.
5) Your body after showering may be cleaner, too. When you shower, the dirt and dead cells you scrub off your body flow down and out the shower drain. The water pressure can also help get the dirt off of your skin. However, when you clean yourself in a soaking tub, anything that you scrub off your body sticks around with you in the tub until you’re done and you drain the tub.
6) A shower can be luxurious, too. A shower can be a relaxing spa-like experience, too, depending on the design and the various features you choose to install. Start with beautiful tiling, and then add features like custom benches, rain showers, or a steam option. More companies are also now making products to use in the shower to make it just as indulgent as a long soak in a bathtub.
After replacing our clients’ tubs with large, luxurious showers, we’re growing more convinced that showers might be on their way to replacing tubs. However, as you plan your custom home or think about how to renovate your current one, keep in mind that having at least one bathtub in your house is probably a good idea when it comes to resale value.
Showers only in a home might be okay if, when you’re ready to sell, you attract elderly buyers or a couple that doesn’t plan to have kids. But if a family with young kids, or a couple with a child on the way, is interested in buying your home, they’ll likely want a bathtub, and not having at least one could turn your potential buyer away.
