I'm not sure that adding a tub is going to be a good investment (in terms of other folks) if you add a tub at the expense of shower space. Most people are ripping out their rarely used tubs in favor of more luxurious feeling all-shower arrangements that they use every day. So you're actually going against typical buyer preference in that regard.

Now, if it's for yourself, and you love a bath and don't really care about having room for your elbows or your spouse in the shower, then plunge ahead. Otherwise, I'd only do an alcove tub/shower, and then only because you personally would be sad not to have a tub in the master, or because there's no other tub in the house (which IS a problem for families with small kids). In no case would I look on any of this as an investment in any way other than improving the finishes.

Thank you -- sounds like good advice! We're in Seattle and almost all the masters here on the newer homes have tubs and nice showers. I really want the tub that I don't have, but like you mentioned, making the shower smaller is probably unwise. The alcove tub/shower with upgraded finishes seems like the way to go.

here's another idea. My bathroom is a whopping 5 by 6 feet. Back in 2000 I found a small acrylic Japanese box tub. It's about 24 inches wide, 35 inches long and 22 or 24 inches deep. It's a step to get into it, so you have to be spry, but sitting cross legged in it, with hot water to cover my shoulders is heaven. I tiled the two walls around it and turned it into a small shower.

I have a wall mounted faucet for filling, as it had no place for plumbing. It also has a tiny drain hole, but a friend managed to jury rig a pipe into the drain system and I haven't had any trouble with it in 17 years. It is heavily insulated and the water stays hot for long time.

I found the tub on a link for a tankless water heater, so it would take some searching to find it, if it is even still available, but there are box tubs of larger size, but still smaller than a big conventional tub available. Frankly, I'd take a short deep tub over a long shallow one any time. Try searching pinterest for Japanese box tub, or ofuro tubs. There are some beauties.

The key to bathroom renovations is to get what you really need/want. Does this work for you and is it what you want? They say all houses should have one tub for resale value. Do you have another tub anywhere else? If not, do you really want one?I'm a shower person. When you have young kids you need a tub, but many adults prefer baths too. What do you want? This is the key. Good luck to you and I hope you get exactly what you want!