Hotel bathrooms are getting more spacious, and shower footprints are increasing. In 2021, the curbless walk-in shower will take center stage, and because showers are gaining space, built-in bathtubs are being removed. There are several other reasons why tub-to-shower conversions have become the new standard.
Hotels may have only showers instead of bathtubs for several reasons: Space Efficiency: Showers typically take up less space than bathtubs, allowing hotels to maximize the number of rooms they can offer, especially in urban areas where space is limited.
Many younger homeowners are opting for shower-only bathrooms, valuing the time and space savings over the option to soak in a tub. Additionally, the trend toward smaller, more urban homes with limited bathroom space means that showers often win out.
Homeowners are using bathtubs less and wanting a fresh look and style when remodeling. They feel these showers are convenient and provide additional safety.
Increasingly, homeowners are getting rid of their tubs for lavish, high-end showers. Small spaces and homes owned by millennials and kid-free adults are particularly more apt to agree with the bathtub becoming obsolete. They simply ditch the tub.
While basic bathtubs may be declining in popularity, they're far from gone. Instead, they're finding a new niche as luxury items. Freestanding tubs, for example, have become a focal point in many high-end bathrooms.
The short answer is no, they are not going out of style. Freestanding baths are very much still popular, with people purchasing them all the time to give their home a more luxurious feel.
Though upgrading your tub to a shower could arguably be seen as a “pro” for better resale value, replacing your only tub is not as versatile for every type of homeowner. More difficult to bathe children and pets. Bathtubs can be a must-have for smaller children or pets.
Therefore, you might opt for a bathtub if you want to keep them comfortable. High-income buyers view bathtubs as showpieces and they can always remain status symbols even when they never get used. A bathtub may not be a necessity but can have a dramatic impact when you want to sell your house.
The short answer is, it depends. Understanding the potential buyer of your home is key. If your neighborhood attracts many young families, removing the tub could indeed lower your home's resale value. However, there are situations where this might not be a significant concern.
Although there are conflicting opinions on this issue, one thing is for sure: The era of oversized jetted tubs is over. In fact, tubs have already overstayed their period and are more of a style statement in your bathroom than being actually useful.
Unfortunately, unless you're taking 20-minute showers—more on that later—baths just can't measure up in terms of water usage. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a full bathtub requires about 70 gallons of water, while taking a five-minute shower uses 10 to 25 gallons.
What Is the Lifespan of a Bathtub? Bathtubs typically last 10-30 years, depending on the material used. Modern, low-cost acrylic and fiberglass tubs will survive for 10-15 years. Although a porcelain-enameled cast-iron tub will survive far longer, it will need to be refinished every 5-15 years.
Labor and material costs are at massive highs
Meanwhile, supply chain and inflation issues are ongoing. Hotels reported a 79% cost increase of cleaning and housekeeping supplies, according to a November 2021 American Hotel & Lodging Association survey of about 500 hotel operators.
Shaun Veran, a microbiologist, told HuffPost that even if there is some lingering bacteria in your hotel bathtub (or bathtub at home), it's probably not very harmful overall. “For most healthy individuals, the bacteria found in bathtubs are not extremely dangerous and cause for alarm.
Most hotels don't have toilet brushes because they're filthy, messy and unhygienic. You don't want to leave the mess for anyone sharing your room to see and even though you'll probably never meet the housekeeping team, you don't want to leave a disgusting mess for them to deal with (unless you're horrible!).
According to the Houzz 2023 bathroom trend report, more than a quarter of homeowners are removing the tub during a bath renovation. When removing the tub, most people (77%) are enlarging their shower—and 20% of those new showers are at least 50% bigger than the old shower.
Replacing the tub with a shower in the only bathroom is riskier than switching from tub to shower in a second or third bathroom. Eliminating a home's only full bathroom could turn off potential buyers. Many parents prefer to bathe children in a tub rather than a shower, and many buyers like to soak in a tub.
There is no code that requires a bathtub in a residential home.
Space and Accessibility
It is also a good choice if you have limited mobility, as it is easier to step into a walk-in shower than a tub. However, if you have small children or older adults in the house, a tub may be better suited as it provides a safer and more secure environment for bathing.
In larger properties with multiple bathrooms, the absence of a tub in just one of the rooms might not be as detrimental. But if you just have the one bathroom, which is the norm for many homes, removing the only bathtub could significantly diminish the home's appeal to certain buyers.
The Difference Between Showers And Bathtubs
According to the Cost vs. Value Report for Modesto, CA, a shower is typically worth more than a bathtub. In 2024, homeowners who are looking to sell their homes can expect to receive an average of $1,583 more for a home with a shower than for one with a bathtub.
Although not as popular among adults, bathtubs are still the most effective way to bathe young kids and pets. For young families, a bathtub is practically a necessity. Most children younger than 8 have a difficult time using a shower. In addition, baths are much more efficient when cleaning up multiple kids at once.
The top trends for 2024 include barrier-free, accessible designs, digital shower systems with precise control over water temperature and flow, and biophilic elements like natural stone and wood.
Some people find it more hygienic to have a shower, rather than sitting in bathwater. But a hot bath can also be excellent for reducing stress and soaking aching muscles. So, it's ultimately down to personal preference.