If your bathroom has a tub-shower combination, one of the first decisions in a remodel is whether to keep the tub. There's no single right answer. It depends on who uses the bathroom, whether the house has another tub, and how long you plan to stay.
The short answer
Choose a walk-in shower if the bathroom is used mostly for showering, if safety and easy entry matter, or if you want a roomier, more open bathroom. Keep a tub if it's the only tub in the house and you have young children or enjoy baths. If the home has another tub elsewhere, converting one is usually an easy call.
Side by side
| Consideration | Walk-in shower | Bathtub |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of entry | Low or no step, easier for anyone with limited mobility. | High side wall to step over. |
| Space | Can fill the same footprint more openly, with glass that makes a room feel larger. | Takes the same footprint but lets the room feel more closed. |
| Bathing small children | Handheld showerhead helps, but a tub is easier. | Easier for babies, toddlers and pets. |
| Relaxing | Not suited to soaking. | Soaking and warming up in cold months. |
| Cleaning | Fewer edges with a glass panel, but tile has grout. | Smooth acrylic is easy, though the tub rim and surround collect soap film. |
| Waterproofing | Needs a properly built pan and membrane. | The tub itself holds water, but the surround still must be waterproof. |
| Accessibility later | Can include a bench, grab bars and a curbless entry. | Can be paired with a walk-in tub, but usually requires conversion. |
Questions to settle first
- Is there another bathtub in the house? If so, converting this one is easy to justify.
- Who uses this bathroom now, and who will in five or ten years?
- Do you or anyone in the household have trouble stepping over the tub wall?
- Do you enjoy baths enough to give up the space?
- Are you planning to stay long-term or sell soon? Many homeowners keep one tub in the house for flexibility.
If you choose a shower
Our pages on tub-to-shower conversion and shower remodeling explain the options: prefabricated base versus custom tile, doorless versus glass, and a threshold-free curbless entry. Plan for blocking in the walls now, even if you don't install grab bars yet.
If you keep the tub
Consider upgrading it. A new acrylic or soaking tub with a fresh surround makes the room feel new without changing the layout. See bathtub replacement for materials and sizes. If you want both, a larger bathroom can fit a freestanding tub and a separate walk-in shower, though that needs more room and plumbing.
For an overview of every project type, see bathroom remodeling in Kirkland, WA, or call (425) 555-0172 to talk through your bathroom with a local contractor.