For generations, the bathtub was considered a must-have in the American bathroom. But take a look at today’s remodeling trends, and it’s clear that the way homeowners use their bathrooms is changing.
The walk-in shower is taking center stage.
In Houzz’s 2023 bathroom study, 84% of renovating homeowners upgraded their shower, while only about a third upgraded their bathtub. More than a quarter actually removed a bathtub during their renovation, and when they did, 77% used that space to make the shower larger.
That trend isn’t entirely new. As far back as 2020, Houzz reported that half of renovated primary bathrooms no longer had a bathtub at all.
Why the change?
For many homeowners, it comes down to how the bathroom is used every day. A traditional bathtub may occupy a significant amount of floor space while getting relatively little use. A spacious walk-in shower, on the other hand, becomes part of the homeowner’s daily routine.
Today’s showers are also becoming larger and more luxurious. In 2023, 61% of homeowners renovating their primary bathroom increased the size of their shower, with features such as rainfall showerheads, dual showerheads and body sprays helping transform an everyday shower into more of a spa-like experience.
Accessibility is playing a role as well. The 2025 Houzz study found that 68% of homeowners considered special needs when remodeling their bathrooms, often with an eye toward aging comfortably in their homes. A low-threshold or walk-in shower can make entering and exiting the bathing area easier than climbing over the side of a traditional tub.
That doesn’t mean the bathtub is disappearing. Families with young children still value them, and a beautiful freestanding soaking tub can remain a desirable luxury feature. Even the National Association of Home Builders reports continued buyer interest in homes that offer both a shower and a tub in the primary bathroom.
But the days when every primary bathroom automatically needed a bathtub appear to be fading.
Today’s homeowner is increasingly asking a different question: Why devote valuable bathroom space to a tub we rarely use when that same space could become a larger, safer and more luxurious shower we use every day?
Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements, and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media LLC (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses, or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability, or timeliness of any content submitted, inclusive of materials generated or composed through artificial intelligence (AI). All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party.
