Is it time to go tubless?

It seems I am involved in numerous bathroom designs and renovations at the moment, my own included. I have multiple clients wishing to update and upgrade their owners’ suite baths so I figured it was time to do mine in my historic Savannah townhouse, too.

Like anyone going through the remodeling process I’ve had to make a bunch of selections. The choices of tile and fixtures and finishes do not intimidate me (making those decisions is, after all, what I do for a living) but what I did need to consider was whether or not to have a bathtub.

It is a question my clients often grapple with. It seems like a simple question but there are pros and cons to weigh.

I must admit I do enjoy a long, relaxing soak in a tub. Well, when I have the time. More often than not, a quick shower is all that time seems to permit most days. And, when I take that shower, I much prefer it to be in a generously sized stall as opposed to standing inside a confining tub. Plus, a walk-in shower is also safer than stepping over the edge of a bathtub — and easier to clean, too.

My bathroom certainly housed a tub (no doubt a claw-foot one) at some point in its 130-year history, but it had long ago been removed and replaced with a fiberglass shower stall — cutting edge technology for the 1970s. A remodel 20 years ago replaced the creaky old fiberglass unit with ceramic tile. The real push for this latest remodel was a leaking shower pan, but it turned out to be a good excuse to completely gut the room and install some really lovely porcelain tile that looks like Carrara marble.

Since I have a bathtub in my other bathroom I didn’t feel the need to have one in both. True, it might be more convenient in those times when I am craving a soak not to have to venture out of the bedroom, but the user-friendly new shower is ideal for daily use.

One question my clients wisely ask is if removing the tub from their owners’ suite bathroom will turn off future buyers. Even clients remodeling their “forever” home worry if this might devalue their property. I’ve discovered that depending on who you consult you will get differing opinions. However, I think the general consensus is if there is a tub elsewhere in the house it is fine to take it out of the owners’ bath.

Almost always I suggest to clients that they may much rather enjoy having the square footage dedicated to a larger shower that could include a built-in bench or multiple shower heads than a seldom-used tub.

Clients in Sea Pines are in the process of converting their vacation house into a permanent residence. Part of this three-phase renovation was tackling the owners’ suite bathroom — a warren of small and cramped spaces that housed a dressing room, closet, vanity area, and claustrophobic tub and toilet room. In designing the new spaces we took down all the walls, raised the ceiling and reconfigured spaces.

Today the bathroom is bright, open and inviting. At center stage is a large stall with multiple shower heads, a built-in bench, shampoo niches, and a frameless glass door. The spa-like ambiance is so inviting and relaxing that you don’t even notice the absence of a tub.

If you are planning a new bathroom but are short on space, consider whether or not you really need a tub. The appeal of a dedicated place to soak is a nice bonus but not always necessary. You can still create a luxurious and dream-like retreat without this plumbing fixture.

This story was originally published September 11, 2020 at 2:20 PM with the headline "Is it time to go tubless?."