The WoW Style

Typically, when buying an existing home, the two projects that homeowners tend to dive into are either a bathroom or kitchen remodel, with the bathroom generally coming first. 

The reasons behind bathroom remodels often relate to either a poor layout or dissatisfaction with the appliances, particularly the bathtub or the shower. In many older homes, there might be a combination of the two. In modern homes, you might just find a walk-in shower big enough to hold a tub inside. And then you have trusty walk-in bathtubs with their distinct advantages for a specific audience. Go here for guidance on options.

Each option offers its own set of pros and cons but determining the ideal tub or shower or combo is a subjective viewpoint based on the homeowner’s preference. The latest thing on the market today that is making a big splash is massive walk-in showers that house bathtubs of varying distinctions, whether it be a clawfoot, a slipper, or another variety. 

These save a great deal of square footage in the space allowing for different features in the room. Let us check out some advantages to the other options.

Bathroom Remodeling Ideas: Will It Be a Walk in Tub, Walk-In Shower, Or Perhaps a Combination

A priority in the bathroom is the “hygiene station,” where we ensure our hair and bodies are optimally clean. Some individuals are shower people, and some swear by a nice soaking bath. 

Many people like to have a shower-bath combo so they can take advantage of both. These are especially beneficial if you have small children to bathe, but you prefer showers. The problem with the combos in the older homes was the bathtubs took up a lot of square footage in the bathroom, and if the space was small, these made the room especially tight for family members maneuvering the layout.

The most modern technology for combo lovers allows the convenience of a walk-in shower (which saves tremendous space) with the luxury of a soaker tub inside the shower. These are larger than average-sized showers with tubs housed inside the shower space, the same conveniences as the old models without consuming the room.

You can also find walk-in bathtubs for a specific audience of individuals who require a greater level of accessibility and safety than either a standard tub or walk-in shower can provide. We’ll check out the pros and cons of some of these options to allow for a more informed decision for those who might be unsure which would work best for their situation.

• A Walk In Tub

A walk-in tub differs from a standard bath with a fixed door that allows the user to open one way to step in safely, high walls, a minimal threshold, and a seat built into the wall.

PROS:

1. Those with challenges, like disabled or elderly individuals with difficulties stepping into a standard tub or holding their footing on a slippery shower floor, will find this option much safer and accessible.
2. The capacity is significant, allowing someone to submerge and grow to a comfortable position; great for anyone who might need to soothe sore muscles or joints.
3. While it uses more water, the shape of the basin is smaller than an average bathtub, so it holds less water than the traditional option.
4. Features including non-slip floors, anti-scald valves, and handrails keep users safe from falling, burns, and holding their footing while finding an adequate position in the tub.

• A Walk-in Shower (Possibly Housing a Tub)

These are exceptionally trendy and popular on the market because of the minimal square footage they require since there is no tub. These can be as narrow as you decide and offer space saver features. But if you do not have a concern over space, these can be massive enough to house a bathtub of your choice plus any number of amenities.

PROS:

1. These can take up very little square footage in the bathroom, allowing a homeowner to designate other uses for space if they are so inclined.
2. A walk-in shower offers a straightforward cleaning process since there are few places for grime or water to gather.
3. People lean towards trendy things at the moment. Even if this is not necessarily a preferred option, it might add some value to their home. The thing to remember is that trends come and go. There could be something new right around the corner.

The traditional bathtub/shower combinations housed in older homes quickly lose favor with homeowners or potential buyers. Most people buying an existing home will renovate the bathroom with a primary focus on taking these out. 

One of the reasons these combos are removed is due to them taking up substantial room. These are also not safe, accessible appliances for anyone. The floors are not slip-resistant, there are not always handrails installed, and stepping up over the ledge is challenging for most people in attempting to get their footing with one foot while bringing the other one over the side.

Final Thought

When doing a bathroom remodel, one of the primary suggestions is to attempt to leave the layout as close to the same as possible to save substantial money on the budget. After deciding about layout, it’s critical to consider who primarily uses the space to make an educated decision. If you have small children or individuals with challenges, a walk-in shower would not be a practical choice for their personal use. 

Family members who are strict about showering while the kids need a tub might try the modern walk-in shower housing the bathtub, which should be okay for kids. Still, for a walk-in tub with a walk-in shower for disabled/elderly folks, the tub would need to sit outside the shower for safety. Since these are smaller tubs than the traditional version, it would still be much less square footage involved.

So much to consider, but one thing is for sure; the older home shower/tub combos are quite much losing favor so you can strike those off your list – one less decision.