These 7 Bathtub Alternatives Offer Chic Solutions That Won't Go Out Of Style

Bathtubs as we know them have been around since the late 1800s, thanks to the innovative mind of John Michael Kohler, but in many homes over the last few decades, they've become obsolete. The shift makes sense. Independent reports that more than half of people prefer showering over bathing based on a study commissioned by Victorian Plumbing. Homeowners are now replacing their tubs with chic alternatives, including grout-less, waterfall, and wet room showers, some of which completely break away from outdated styles.

Some of these alternatives are ideal for large or small luxury bathrooms, with some offering a spa-like experience that will make you look forward to your daily shower. Others would be well-suited for a limited-space or multi-purpose bathroom, or for a home that requires accessibility features. 

Wondering how much it would cost to replace an existing bathtub with a shower? The price for a bathtub-to-shower conversion ranges from $800-$15,000. The minimum cost of a custom style is much higher, usually starting at around $3,500, according to Angi.

Some couples shower together, which can save time while providing an opportunity for intimacy. Sharing one shower head can create inconveniences, though, but double heads can resolve them. What are double showers? They consist of two shower heads and two faucets within the same space. Each shower head and faucet set is installed on opposite walls of the area, so two people can have their own while showering simultaneously. These types of showers have a larger footprint than individual ones, so they offer the benefit of a spacious cleansing experience, whether you're alone or with someone else.

Luxuriate under a steamy, relaxing rainfall or waterfall shower with a system that will leave you feeling like you're under a mini Yosemite Falls. Choose between a style that's mounted to the wall, or options that are flush-mounted to or hang down from the ceiling. Many systems also include body jets, allowing for a full body shower with both vertical and horizontal water flows. With the unique, pleasurable experience that these systems offer, you may end up wanting to take more than one shower a day.

As the name implies, a wet room is a completely waterproof bathroom that's intended to get wet, from the floor to the walls and ceiling. Unlike traditional showers with an enclosed area, wet room showers offer a more open space where the shower area blends with the rest of the room. Some homeowners embrace this openness by having no shower walls or shower doors at all, so they can seamlessly walk around the bathroom without worrying about getting the floor wet. In many cases, the shower area shares the same floor as the rest of the room.

Grout fills the space between tiles and offers other benefits, but over time, it can become discolored, break, or promote the growth of mold and mildew. Plus, it can be difficult to clean without a scrubber. This has led manufacturers to offer grout-free showers with elegant walls made from solid composite stone, engineered marble, quartz, and other materials. Cleaning will be a breeze, and you won't have to fret about trying to remove stubborn stains that commonly develop on grout.

Although there are options that increase bathtub accessibility for those in a wheelchair, a shower with a barrier-free, roll-in design offers easier, more convenient access that provides both safety and comfort for anyone with limited mobility. Even if no one lives in your home who uses a wheelchair, a roll-in shower can still be a great option if you have frequent guests who would benefit from this safer design.

A curved enclosure shower, also known as a quadrant shower enclosure, is ideal for small spaces, as some options can measure about 31 by 31 by 76 inches. These corner-style, curved enclosure showers can make a small bathroom seem bigger by maximizing space while offering more room than a straight-edged option. Choose from a frameless, partially framed, or fully framed style to match your bathroom's decor.

Showers offer benefits that bathtubs don't. They use less water, you don't have to wait for water accumulation, and they're more spacious, but tubs have an edge in a few areas. You can relax in them while reading a book and lying in a pool of fragrant foaming soap or Epsom salt. By adding a free-standing tub you'll want to relax in to a walk-in shower, you can get the best of both worlds, and the best part? One person can take a relaxing hot shower while the other enjoys a bubble bath in the same room.