According to the 2025 Cost Vs. Value Report that Remodeling Magazine publishes each year, you can recoup around 35% of the investment of remodeling your bathroom. Removing a bathtub is not the death knell to your home value as it once was. While most of our clients are still selecting a bathtub for their primary suite, some are opting to remove it, depending on how many bathtubs are in the home. However, with the push for luxury bathroom design and for those who prioritize self-care, many homeowners are opting for beautiful, statement-making standalone bathtubs. If you’re considering a bathroom remodel this year, but aren’t sure you want to include a bathtub, here is a list for your consideration.

Why Have One

• Bathtubs can offer an easy and safe option for daily care while seated, especially in homes with small children or older adults
• If you prioritize relaxation at home, a soaking tub, with or without jets, is often part of that wellness design.
• If you have pets, a bathtub is one option for washing them at home. It can also be a versatile wash solution for cleaning other large or bulky items.
• Keeping at least one bathtub in the home helps to retain your home’s value over not having one at all. It’s worth noting that your buyer pool may be limited when selling at some point in the future without one.
• Your bathroom may look more balanced with a bathtub whereas one without will need some additional design work to make the room appear visually well proportioned.

Why Remove One

• Most people use their shower daily, so opting for no bathtub can free up space for a larger shower, especially in smaller bathrooms.
• Those with physical limitations may feel a walk-in shower with a bench is a more functional daily option than getting in and out of a tub, especially with the taller, standalone options abundant on the market today.
• If you intend to stay in your home for the long term and you don’t use a bathtub, removing it allows you to personalize your home with a low/no threshold shower with grab bars, helping to create an aging-in-place strategy.
• No bathtub results in an easier to clean bathroom, especially if you select large format tiles with minimal grout lines for your shower.
• Assuming you are taking the average eight-to-ten-minute shower, showering can be a more energy efficient option over baths, which use an average of 30-50 gallons of water.

We’re here to help you with your custom bathroom remodeling experience. Ultimately, whatever you choose will be the right choice for your home, lifestyle, and budget.