As you’re designing the bathroom of your dreams, do you picture a shower or a bathtub? The answer depends on a variety of factors – including lifestyle, preference, and overall aesthetic. There’s no right choice for everyone, but there is a right choice for you. Today, we’ll walk through some pros and cons to consider for each choice.
Showers
Pros:
- Space-Saving: If you’re working with a small bathroom, showers can be a great option. With less floor space than a bathtub (but the same amount of cleaning power), you can use the extra room for storage or other fixtures.
- Convenience: Showers require less cleaning than a bathtub, making them perfect for busy households. Rather than scrubbing on hands and knees, cleaning a shower usually takes just a quick spray or squeegee.
- Water Efficiency: Installing a shower can make a positive impact on your water bill, particularly if you use a water-saving showerhead. It’s an environmentally friendly choice that’s also kind to your pocketbook.
- Modern Aesthetic: A sleek shower is right at home in a contemporary, modern home. With a variety of attractive fixtures, you’re sure to find something that fits your vibe.
Cons:
- Limited Relaxation: Though a long shower is pleasant, it doesn’t quite offer the same level of relaxation as a soak in a bathtub. If that’s important to you or your family, you may want to reconsider the shower as a single choice.
- Less Suitable for Young Children: Bathing small children or infants is difficult in a shower, and may be a drawback if you have a young family.
- Potential Resale Impact: Resale can be more difficult for certain buyers, particularly if they fall into the categories listed above. If you’re planning on selling your home in the near future, you may want to consider a bathtub instead of a shower.
Bathtubs
Pros:
- Relaxation: There’s a reason that “taking a bath” is high on the list of relaxing activities. Installing a beautiful bathtub is the best way to ensure it’s an easily-integrated part of your day.
- Versatility: Many homeowners find their bathtubs useful for soaking laundry, bathing pets and kids, and more.
- Child-Friendly: If you have little ones at home, bathtubs make bath time easy.
- Potential Increase in Home Value: Bathtubs offer wide appeal, so they may make your home more attractive to buyers. If you’re planning to sell your home not long after your remodel is completed, this is an important piece to factor into your decision-making process.
Cons:
- Space Requirements: Bathtubs can be a tight squeeze – particularly in small bathrooms. Though showers can come in different sizes, bathtubs are generally a standard set of dimensions that may prove challenging if you have a tight fit.
- Water Usage: The beauty of a bathtub lies in the ability to fill them to the brim with warm, relaxing water. Unfortunately, this can lead to increases in your water bill, and isn’t especially friendly to the environment.
- Accessibility: For individuals with mobility issues, getting in and out of a bathtub can be challenging and sometimes unsafe. Showers, especially those with a low threshold or walk-in design, are more accessible.
- Cleaning and Maintenance: Bathtubs can be harder to clean and maintain compared to showers. Soap scum and mildew can build up, requiring more effort to keep the bathtub pristine. This is especially true if your bathtub has ornate fixtures or jets.
Trust the Experts
Still not sure which to choose? At Modern Touch Contracting, we have extensive experience providing bathroom remodels, and we can help you decide. We can help you plan and execute your ideal remodel so you can enjoy your home to the fullest. Contact us today.
