Is Replacing That Dated Shower-Tub Combination Really Worth Your While?
When renovating a home, whether undergoing a large-scale renovation or sticking to one room, you are going to be faced with a ton of decisions. When it comes to bathroom remodels, the more modern take has seen the extinction of shower-tub combinations, replacing them with standalone tubs and walk-in showers. But just because even some of our favorite HGTV stars design a modern bathroom without a shower-tub combo, that doesn't necessarily mean that it's the right choice for your space.
When choosing the right bathtub style for your bathroom, there are a few things to consider. The main things are how big your space is and what your lifestyle is like. If you have a large bathroom, you can more easily fit a standalone shower and bathtub, but smaller spaces may not have the square footage to make this trend happen. Similarly, if you have small children or the need to take a bath due to health reasons, forgoing a bath entirely is also not an option. Here's how to really determine if replacing your dated shower-tub combo is worth your while.
What to consider before ripping out your shower-tub combo
If the idea of relaxing in an oversized shower sparks your fancy, you have likely considered tearing out your dated bathtub to make room for a walk-in shower. Beyond the trendy nature of walk-in showers, they are also great for aesthetics, mobility — walk-in showers can be a safer option as there is no need to climb over a tub when soaking wet — and can give you new design options, like adding a bench or storage space for your toiletries. On the other hand, it may not be your best choice if you only have one tub in the home. Many realtors believe that having at least one bathtub is important for resale value.
At the end of the day, the choice is ultimately yours, especially if you don't have plans to sell in the near future. If your main issue is the design, you may be keen to hear that more modern takes on the shower-tub combination have finally come to fruition, and many homeowners who need a tub, yet love the idea of a luxury walk-in shower, are opting for these instead of tearing out the tub completely.
How to create a more modern shower-tub combination
If a walk-in shower is not in the cards for your bathroom renovation, you don't have to feel stuck with your outdated shower-tub combination. In fact, new versions of this concept have brought the idea of a combination back to life, giving homeowners a refreshed reimagining of the old-fashioned setup. Shower-tub combinations have been around for decades for a reason — they give our bathrooms more space and provide a higher level of functionality. To make a shower-tub combo feel more modern, look at the specific design elements.
The newer take on shower-tub combos looks similar to the versions we are used to, but their details make them more aesthetically pleasing and modern. You can keep things simple by updating your faucets and showerheads, opting for a handheld showerhead or a rain shower that hangs from the ceiling. If you want to do more heavy-duty renovations, consider replacing your shower curtain or full-glass wall with a half glass divider. Pairing that divider with updated tiles and paint colors will transform your bathroom and make it look fresh and new.