Do a search on the subject and you will find enough reading to keep you occupied for a good bit.

That said, I don't take baths and I just replaced my tub/shower with a larger walk in shower complete with comfortable bench. It's one of the best parts of my remodel.

What is your personal preference - really that's what it comes down to.

Do you or your SO regularly enjoy a bath? We don't. Our master bath has an oversized jacuzzi that neither of us have been in during the 5 years we've lived here. I filled it once from its own 80 gal hot water tank just to see how it worked (and it was noisy). I rinse dust from it when cleaning. That's all the activity its seen, and at some point I plan to remove, replace with curbless large shower. The fact that its there hasn't been a pressing enough issue to deal with a contractor in my bedroom and bathroom - its just that it doesn't and will never fit our preferences.

it's a question of what you prefer/need, I agree with Helen

one of the best part of our remodel-is having both big shower with a bench, and a tub(not oversized..just a normal tub. deep enough) that's easy to get into..built in tub. Where one can sit on the edge too.

The shower, I use very often, my DH uses mostly the shower.

The tub, I use every day. Some days I'm unable to use the shower. Harder for me. Some days I have to take a bath to alleviate pain etc. So for me a tub wasn't a fun thing to have..was pretty much a neccessity. At this stage of my life. Needs change..there were many years we had free-standing tub only(everybody had back then where we lived)...there were years I had a smaller shower only, and it worked too, even though wasn't ideal. I didn't have back then all sorts of needs to accommodate, or I was in a position to make do.

You'll get many answers what would work best for others..while you may want to think what will work for you and your family.

We had to have both although we do not and perhaps will never use the large soaking tub; why? because 'as per our realtors' not only should we have a tub in the master but also in one of our guest baths for 'kids'. So now we have a beautiful master bath with an amazing 10'x4' shower and a 6'x3' deep soaking tub with top of the line fixtures which may never see any use. The bathroom nevertheless looks amazing.

Similar to Pinebaron. In my remodel I kept the large shower and separate tub. I did change the tub from a built in jacuzzi to a freestanding soaking tub. We will probably never use the tub, but it looks great in the bathroom with a feature tile wall behind it. For the size, location and price point of the house, people will expect both fixtures.

In terms of resale value, do you actually want to base your comfort and aesthetic vision on what a mythical buyer in the future may or may not want.

If your bathroom is big enough to have a great shower and a bathtub and you want to spend the money, go for it. If you are going to have to compromise and squeeze in a mediocre shower, that's different. Even if you can theoretically fit a tub AND a large shower, how is your storage - would the space be better used as closet or storage space. There is no right or wrong decision.

You are just as likely to find a buyer down the road (if you care) who would prefer a large luxurious shower because the tub (any tub) is just a dust catcher. Most adults (and I say most) don't bathe nor do most children above a certain age.

In a family type home, a bath tub for the children is sufficient for most purposes. In a residence for couples or singles in an urban setting, a bathtub is probably not needed or even wanted - especially if the alternative is a great shower.

If your bathroom is big enough to have a great shower and a bathtub and you want to spend the money, go for it. If you are going to have to compromise and squeeze in a mediocre shower, that's different. Even if you can theoretically fit a tub AND a large shower, how is your storage - would the space be better used as closet or storage space. There is no right or wrong decision.

This.

I wanted the tub, use it almost daily, sometimes in the winter 2 x/day because it's the fastest, most wonderful way to warm up before bed - I'm always cold. I'd also suggest you define what a "great shower" is to you. Is it just space? Multiple shower heads? Steam? Specialty lighting?

We may all have different definitions of a luxury shower; steam, dual or more shower heads, pulsating heads and/or jets, lighting, constant pressure, constant temperature, fancy shower controls, etc. etc. Size of bathroom and shower pan also dictate what luxuries are feasible or make sense for a particular showering area.

About the only thing I reconfigured in our house after it was framed, was the master bath layout which led to moving the door and creating a larger shower area. I for one, always felt rain shower heads were a gimmick until we decided to install a rain shower head plus a hand shower and rail in each guest bathroom and two sets plus additional jets in the master shower. I have to say it is heavenly taking long showers under the large rain shower heads with endless hot water, add to that four soothing jets for upper and lower body, to finish the experience. I have however promised myself to use the large soaking tub at least once, no idea when.

Below is a work in progress.....

If you're building for resale, I'd keep a tub. Why? I know people who wouldn't buy a house without a tub in the master bedroom (I'm married to one - no bathtub would be a deal-breaker for my husband.) I don't know many people for whom a medium-sized shower is a deal-breaker, however. No bath limits your buyer pool more than no super-large shower does.

Similar to Kristen S my spouse insisted on a tub. I insisted on a great shower. This is our solution. We had almost no room. This wet room incorporates both in a 65 s.f. bathroom (I really need to get a better photo).

180 Game Trail · More Info

How many people are using the shower at the same time? At age 75, I can only remember a couple of times as a newly wed that my husband and I showered together. Huge showers are COLD! Due to space issues, the separate shower in my master bath is just to Code - it is 36" square. My late husband was a big guy and he had no problem in that shower.

I don't like shower/tub combinations as they either involve a shower curtain or some sort of doors for the shower. This makes getting in and out of the tub far more difficult, especially as one ages. And bathing a baby/toddler with doors on a tub is a nightmare.

I love my but and I do wish it were a bit longer (it's on 5ft as that is what there is room for). But I wouldn't want it too much longer - then one slides down in too far. Huge soaking tubs are a bear to clean, either inside or outside. Thanks, I'll stick with my ancient porcelain 5ft tub. I still have a very nice soak in that tub.

Shower!!! Who takes a tub these days????

Would you prefer to have a home with a large
showerr in the master bath versus a soaking tub and moderate stand alone
shower. We would have a deep tub in the hall bath, but not an oversized
soaker. We are building in Austin.

This question comes up frequently on this board, and it seems to be a 50-50 thing: about half the people here say, tub + shower ... the other 50% say luxury shower only. You're not going to get a solid consensus on this question, so you'll have to analyze your own usage and decide what is best for you.

Where you will find agreement on this board:

- Most people will say you should have one tub somewhere in your house.

- If you forego a tub in your master, the shower must be large and luxurious.

- If you go with a tub, you need the standalone shower too, but it can be modest in size.

Our master bath has
an oversized jacuzzi that neither of us have been in during the 5 years
we've lived here. I filled it once from its own 80 gal hot water tank
just to see how it worked (and it was noisy).

If you're going with a tub, you should try out those tubs -- don't just buy what you think is going to be best. I thought I wanted a Jacuzzi tub (who doesn't want a Jacuzzi tub?) ... until we rented a beach condo that had one. I hated the noise.

I'm not crazy about oversized either. We've frequently stayed at a certain hotel in our daughters' college town (it's a ski town) that has a huge two-person tub. It's so slow to fill, and all that surface area means that it cools off quickly. It's not something I'd want in my own home.

My husband stayed at the same resort in Florida for several conferences, and every time he came back saying, "I love the tub in that place. I want you to go with me and see it so you can source that exact tub!" He loved it because it has built-in arm rests and a "seat". Finally I got a chance to go ... and I wasn't crazy about the tub at all. It was 48" wide (yes, I carry a tape measure in my purse so I can measure things like this). I could only use one arm rest at a time, and it was too long for me. We discussed what he really liked, and he had never focused on the bloated size ... we both like "deep" but not "big" ... we found the arm rests on plenty of other models.

Research. That's my theme.

For those who like the immersion of a tub and the moving water or massage-like functions, but hate the gunk and the noise, one company makes jetted tubs differently and those issues are supposed to be minimized or eliminated. They used to be called Sanijet and Spike had a policy against allowing us to even mention the name because they had violated his strict anti-advertising policy. I got a warning just for asking about them. (For you Houzzers who never visited us when we were THS, it was strictly forbidden for even the Pros who contributed to the discussions to even mention their company names before Houzz bought the Garden Web and This Home Site)

Now, the company is named Purewater Baths. Pipeless Technology at Purewater Baths

Each jet is a separate electric motor and there are no pipes under the tub going from jet to jet. So no microbe-filled gunk will greet you when you start jets that have been sitting unused with stagnant water sitting in the pipes since the last bath. Since there is no central pump, there is no vibrating motor making noise and humming for all the adjoining rooms to hear. It is supposed to be a technology that allows you to talk, listen to music, or watch TV, if that is what you want to do while soaking.

Also, when installing a conventional jetted tub with pipes, you should be able to elevate the center of each plastic tubing pipe so that it always drains clear after using the tub. This would help with the dirty water/gunk issue.

I always wanted to try one, and had hoped for years to someday have one, before arthritis and my other joint disorder made getting in and out of tubs impossible for me. They are more expensive, but I was willing to save for that if it made the bathing experience worthwhile. For those voicing objections to the gunk and the noise, I thought that letting you know about this option would be beneficial.

Despite!!! robin's overused!!!! Punctuation??? To tub or not to tub is very personal, some do some don't. Mrs Pete has excellent advice (even though I don't think everyone wants a Jacuzzi - I don't) and first hand research if you decide to get a tub is the way to go. Find out what fits you.

pssttt - Mrs Pete I'd be willing to bet most of us on this forum carry tape measures. You're singing to the choir!

It is totally dependent on the person. My husband and I both love baths so a giant bath tub in our new master suite was a must have. We use it all the time. Other people may never take a bath.

Chispa......you made sure you married rich......what can I say..................................

robin0919 what is that half a$$ed remark supposed to mean?

Staying a while? Do what makes you happy. Selling soon? Ask a realtor. FWIW, i recall a recent NYT article based on the premise that millenials like baths, which I identify with.. particularly if there is wine involved.

Agree with jslazart. I never shower and dislike them greatly. My daily soak is sacrosanct. My husband bathes probably 60% of the time, often in an epsom soak. We would never buy a home without a master tub. That said, we are in the minority on that one. So far as shower size, he says large showers are cold. The last one we installed custom was 38” x 42” and he loved it. Different strokes.

Invariably the numerous threads asking whether it is better to have a large shower or whether a tub in the master is necessary become interesting glimpses into the habits of houzzers - those who bathe versus those who shower. :-)

And so really the bottom line is install what you want - it's a fool's game to attempt to predict the bathing habits of a buyer since you are just as likely to attract as repel a buyer with either a choice.

If a bath is a must for you, I would doubt you would be asking whether you should omit a tub in the master bath?

If you never bathe and are just installing one because you think it is necessary for resale, you are probably sacrificing your comfort (i.e. great shower) for naught since many prospective buyers would find a great shower to be more appealing than a tub.

And even those people who did enjoy a bath often are no longer able to safely or comfortably use a tub which is important if you plan to age in place or for prospective buyers who want to age in place. A luxurious large shower with a comfortable seat then becomes a selling point.