You do not necessarily need a bathtub if you don't take baths. However, keeping at least one tub in your home is highly recommended. It remains a necessity for bathing young children or pets, provides a selling point for future family buyers, and offers a private way to soothe sore muscles.
Homeowners do have valid re-sale value concerns if all tubs are removed. If you have multiple bathrooms, keep a tub in one of them. If you have toddlers, small children or dogs to bathe a tub is necessary. If soaking in a tub is your surefire way to relax, a tub is a must.
Yes, taking a warm bath can significantly lower cortisol levels (the "stress hormone") and reduce stress by triggering the parasympathetic nervous system. Warm water immersion stimulates the release of endorphins, lowers blood pressure, and boosts serotonin, promoting feelings of relaxation and mental well-being.
We asked the Experts. Planning a bathroom update often starts with one big question: Will removing my tub affect resale value? If you're considering a walk-in shower tub replacement, there's good news. The consensus: Removing a bath won't hurt your resale value unless it leaves you with no bathtub at all.
Yes, people still want bathtubs, but their role has shifted from a daily necessity to a specialized luxury or practical tool for specific needs. While many homeowners now opt for large, walk-in showers in primary bathrooms for convenience and space, others prefer a high-end, freestanding tub as a relaxing "statement piece" or "at-home spa".
Stephenson advises keeping at least one tub for its functionality and potential resale value. Although not having a tub in the home might not deter today's buyers as much, it limits options for easily bathing kids and pets or enjoying a relaxing soak after a stressful week.
The 2026 bathroom aesthetic shifts toward warm, organic, spa-like sanctuaries. Gone are stark black-and-white palettes, cool grays, and heavy matte black fixtures. Instead, the year is defined by warm earth tones, tactile natural materials, sculptural curves, and functional luxury.
Selling a house without a bathtub isn't necessarily hard, but it narrows your buyer pool. Because the bathroom functions differently for every demographic, the impact of having no tub depends heavily on your property type and target audience.
Factors that decrease property value the most fall into three main categories: location issues, structural damage, and poor neighborhood conditions. These factors can collectively slash a property’s value by 5% to 30% or more.
Hotels are phasing out bathtubs in favor of walk-in showers due to shifting consumer preferences, easier maintenance, and the need for spatial efficiency. Modern travelers generally prefer quick showers, and walk-in showers make bathrooms feel larger while using less water.
This rise in hormones changes your appetite. You do not usually crave broccoli or grilled fish when you are stressed. Instead, you want foods that give you fast energy or make you feel comforted. Most people crave sugar, salt, and fat when their cortisol stays high for too long.
The #1 worst habit for anxiety is avoidance. While avoiding anxiety-inducing situations (like social events, phone calls, or public speaking) provides immediate short-term relief, it ultimately reinforces your fear, shrinks your comfort zone, and worsens anxiety in the long run.
Japanese people take a bath every day primarily for relaxation, physical recovery, and spiritual purification. Rather than for getting clean, the Japanese bath (furo) is a hot soaking ritual intended to melt away the day's stress and warm the body before sleep.
The biggest value-adds for a home are functional square footage (like finishing a basement or adding a bedroom) and first impressions (curb appeal). While major renovations can be costly, strategic, high-ROI updates yield the best return on investment.
Removing a tub only decreases your home value if it leaves your house with zero bathtubs. Real estate agents and appraisers strongly advise keeping at least one tub—usually in a guest or secondary bathroom—because eliminating it entirely shrinks your buyer pool by deterring families with young children and pet owners.
Resale Value Concerns: According to UK property experts, having at least one bath in the home is often considered a standard expectation. Removing all baths could potentially limit your buyer pool and negatively impact resale value.
Chipped tiles, stained grout, and brightly colored porcelain tubs and toilets (think avocado green, mustard yellow, or bubblegum pink) instantly make a bathroom look neglected. No matter how clean the rest of the space is, damaged surfaces or retro fixtures give off a dated vibe.
Timeless bathroom colors rely on calm, neutral foundations that won't feel dated. The best enduring choices are crisp or warm whites, soft grays, nature-inspired muted greens, and classic black-and-white. These adaptable hues maximize light and provide a versatile canvas for evolving your decor.
A realistic bathroom remodel budget ranges from $15,000 to $35,000+. Costs depend on the scope and your location. In Southern California, for example, a mid-range 40-square-foot guest bath costs roughly $25,000 to $36,000. For a simple cosmetic refresh, you might spend $12,000 to $16,000, while a luxury primary suite can exceed $50,000.
Homeowners are ditching bathtubs for spacious, walk-in showers to save space, improve bathroom accessibility, and make cleaning easier. Showers require less water than tubs and allow for a more modern, spa-like aesthetic.
Plumbing and Labor Take the Biggest Bite
Labor in general is the single largest category in most bathroom remodels, typically accounting for 40% to 60% of the total budget. That includes plumbers, electricians, tile installers, carpenters, and any specialty tradespeople.
A Cinderella tub is a vintage, space-saving corner bathtub popular from the 1930s to the 1950s. It is designed to fit diagonally into a corner, featuring a wide, rounded front and built-in seating on the sides. These cast-iron, often colorful (pink, blue, yellow) tubs maximize functionality in small bathrooms.
Towels are the most commonly stolen item from hotels, with nearly 88% of hotel staff and owners reporting they frequently disappear from guest rooms.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) makes it clear that a home absolutely must have at least one bathtub to preserve resale value and be considered move-in ready for most buyers. Tubs are still preferred in most markets and price ranges.
Dull or outdated colors
While you might be tempted to revisit trends from past eras, among the colors to avoid in a bathroom are beige-yellow tones, dull brown, and olive green. These can even give the impression of uncleanliness in addition to appearing outdated.