Deciding whether to remove a bathtub in favour of a modern walk-in shower is one of the most common dilemmas we encounter at our showrooms. For many homeowners, the traditional bathtub was once a staple of the family home. However, as lifestyles evolve and design trends shift toward sleek and functional spaces, the tub to shower conversion has become a top priority for those looking to modernise their homes.
At Kitchen Bathroom Creations, we believe that your home should work for you. If you find yourself stepping over a high bathtub wall every morning just to take a shower, or if your tub has become a glorified laundry basket that rarely sees a drop of water, it might be time for a change.
In this guide, we will explore the benefits of converting your bath to a shower, the impact on your property value, and how to plan a modern bathroom layout that stands the test of time.
Why the Tub to Shower Conversion is Trending
The shift toward walk-in showers is not just a passing fad. It is a reflection of how we live today. Most of us lead busy lives where a quick and refreshing shower is much more practical than a long soak. By removing a bulky bathtub, you immediately open up the floor plan of your room.
A walk in shower offers a sense of luxury and space that a standard shower over bath setup simply cannot match. When you remove the enclosure of a tub, the entire room feels larger and brighter. This is especially true for the smaller bathrooms often found in UK homes.
Replacing a 1700mm tub with a spacious low profile shower tray and a clear glass screen can make a cramped room feel like a high end hotel suite.
The Benefits of a Walk-in Shower
There are several practical reasons why our customers choose to make the switch during their bathroom renovation.
1. Improved Accessibility and Safety
One of the most significant advantages of a walk-in shower is accessibility. As we age, the high sides of a bathtub can become a tripping hazard. A low entry or level access shower tray removes this barrier, making the bathroom safer for everyone from young children to those planning for retirement. This is often referred to as future proofing your home. By installing a walk in shower now, you ensure that your bathroom remains functional and safe for decades to come.
2. Easier Maintenance and Cleaning
Let us be honest, cleaning a bathtub is a chore. Scrubbing the grime from the corners and dealing with shower curtains that attract mould is a never ending task. Modern walk-in showers are designed with ease of maintenance in mind. Large format tiles or shower wall panels mean fewer grout lines to scrub. Furthermore, high quality glass screens are often treated with easy clean coatings that repel water and limescale, keeping your bathroom looking pristine with minimal effort.
3. More Design Flexibility
When you move away from the fixed dimensions of a bathtub, you open up new possibilities for your modern bathroom layout. You can choose a larger shower area, perhaps a wet room style entry, or even a dual head shower system for a truly indulgent experience. You also gain space for other features, such as a larger vanity unit for extra storage or a stylish heated towel rail.
Will Removing My Bath Devalue My Home
This is the question we get asked the most at Kitchen Bathroom Creations. There is a long standing myth that a house must have a bathtub to be attractive to buyers. While it is true that families with very young children often prefer having at least one bath in the house, the market is changing.
If your property is a large four bedroom family home with multiple bathrooms, keeping a bath in the main family bathroom while converting the ensuite to a walk-in shower is the perfect compromise. However, if you live in a smaller home or an apartment, a high spec walk-in shower is often seen as more desirable than a cramped or dated bathtub.
Modern buyers value a ready to use luxury feel. If a potential buyer sees a beautifully tiled walk-in shower with premium brassware, they are more likely to be impressed by the quality of the renovation than worried about the lack of a tub.
Planning Your Modern Bathroom Layout
When you decide to go ahead with a tub to shower conversion, the planning stage is crucial. You are not just swapping one fixture for another; you are redesigning the flow of the room.
Choosing the Right Shower Tray
The foundation of your new shower is the tray. At Kitchen Bathroom Creations, we often recommend low profile trays that sit almost flush with the floor. This creates a seamless look that enhances the feeling of space. If you want a truly seamless finish, we can discuss a full wet room installation, where the floor is tanked and tiled to allow water to drain away directly.
Glass Enclosures vs Walk ins
A true walk-in shower usually features a single glass pane without a door. This is excellent for accessibility and looks stunning in a minimalist design. If your bathroom is smaller, you might opt for a sliding or bifold door enclosure to keep the water contained while still enjoying the spaciousness of a larger tray.
Storage and Fixtures
Without the ledge of a bathtub to hold your shampoos and soaps, you will need to think about storage. We love incorporating recessed storage niches into the shower wall. These are tiled to match the rest of the room and provide a sleek and built in look that keeps clutter off the floor.
Why Choose a Professional Installation
A tub to shower conversion involves more than just plumbing. It requires expert tiling, potential floor levelling, and careful waterproofing to ensure your new shower is leak proof. As a family run business with years of experience, Kitchen Bathroom Creations provides a full design to completion service. We manage the plumbing, electrics, plastering and tiling, so you do not have to worry about coordinating different trades.
Our team of qualified tradesmen ensures that every installation meets our high standards of quality and affordability. Whether you visit our showroom in Hinckley, Rugby or Bedworth, we can show you a variety of styles and finishes that will help you visualise your new space.
Still have a question we didn't cover?
If you have more questions about the renovation process, you can find answers to our most common queries here!
Real Life Inspiration
While reading about the benefits of a tub to shower conversion is helpful, seeing a finished project can truly help you visualise the possibilities for your own home. One of our favourite transformations involved a complete overhaul where we removed a bathtub to make room for a level access wet room.
This project demonstrates how removing a bath can make even a modest room feel like a spacious retreat. You can see the full details of the materials we used, the layout changes we made and the final results by following the button below.
Is it Right for You?
So, should you replace your bathtub with a walk-in shower? If you value daily convenience, modern aesthetics, and a safer and more accessible bathroom, the answer is a resounding yes. While the decision depends on your personal needs and the layout of your home, the benefits of a well executed conversion are undeniable.
If you are ready to start planning your transformation, why not take advantage of our free no obligation planning service? Our designers can help you map out a modern bathroom layout that maximises your space and fits your budget.
Why Choose Kitchen & Bathroom Creations?
A free home visit and no-obligation quote
Accessible and modern features, made to last
Personalised design advice
Accessible and modern features, made to last
Visit us today at one of our local branches or browse our Bathrooms Gallery for inspiration. You can also learn more about our Kitchen Renovations if you are looking to update more than one room in your home. Let us help you create the home you have always wanted.
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