Bath or Walk-In Shower? Making the Right Choice
The Dilemma
Most bathrooms only have space for one feature: a bath or a walk-in shower. Homeowners often feel torn between practicality and relaxation. Some prefer the ritual of a bath; others prioritise comfort and accessibility in a spacious shower.
The dilemma is choosing the option that genuinely improves your daily life — not the option you feel you “should” have.
The Options
Option 1: Bath with Overhead or Hand Shower
Pros:
great for families with young kids
ideal for people who enjoy bathing
practical resale advantage
Cons:
showering over a bath is less comfortable
can feel cramped
Option 2: Walk-In Shower
Pros:
luxurious and accessible
easier to clean
suits compact bathrooms
Cons:
no bath facility
may reduce appeal for families
The Decision Criteria
1. How do you actually live?
If you rarely take baths, prioritise a bigger, more comfortable shower.
If you bathe frequently, no walk-in shower will replace that experience.
2. Who uses the bathroom?
Families with young children benefit enormously from a bath.
Guests, teenagers and adults often prefer a shower.
3. Space and proportion
A bath squeezed into a tiny bathroom can feel compromised.
A walk-in shower with generous glass and a low threshold can make a small bathroom feel twice its size.
4. Maintenance
Walk-in showers have fewer surfaces and corners to clean.
Baths with screens or curtains require more upkeep.
5. Resale
Most homes should ideally have at least one bath somewhere, even if not in the main bathroom.
The Recommendation
Choose based on habit, not convention.
If you don’t regularly use a bath, a well-proportioned walk-in shower will improve your daily comfort and the perceived size of the room.
If you have more than one bathroom, include a bath somewhere else in the home for long-term flexibility.
A Quick Tip
Tape the footprint of a potential shower on the floor. Feeling the real dimensions underfoot instantly clarifies whether it will feel comfortable.
