One of the biggest decisions in a bathroom remodel is whether to install a walk in shower or keep a tub and shower combination. Both have advantages, and the right choice depends on who uses the bathroom and how.
Walk In Showers
Walk in showers create a clean, open look and are easier to access, especially for older adults or anyone with mobility concerns. They take up less visual space than a tub and can be customized with built in niches, bench seating, and frameless glass enclosures. In smaller bathrooms, replacing a tub with a walk in shower can make the room feel noticeably larger.
Tub and Shower Combos
A tub and shower combination is the most versatile option. It gives you both bathing options in one footprint. Families with young children often prefer to keep at least one tub in the home for bath time. From a resale perspective, homes with no bathtub at all can be less appealing to certain buyers.
The Resale Question
A common concern is whether removing the only tub in the home will hurt resale value. The general guidance from real estate professionals is to keep at least one tub in the home, ideally in a secondary bathroom. If your home has two or more bathrooms, converting one to a walk in shower typically does not reduce value and may increase it.
How We Approach This Decision
At Black Forest Home Improvements, we do not push homeowners toward one option or the other. We ask how the bathroom is used today and how it is likely to be used in the years ahead. If accessibility matters now or will matter soon, a walk in shower is practical. If young children are part of the equation, keeping a tub makes sense. We design the space around your life.
The National Kitchen and Bath Association publishes bathroom design trends and standards that can help homeowners evaluate their options.
Ready to design your new bathroom? Contact us to talk through what works best for your home.