Quick Answer
Keep at least one tub in the home for resale and families with young children, but a walk-in shower offers better accessibility, a modern look, and more usable space — making it ideal for primary bathrooms when another tub exists elsewhere.
The tub-versus-shower decision affects daily comfort, resale value, and accessibility. There's no single right answer — it depends on your household, your home's other bathrooms, and how long you plan to stay.
Here's how to weigh it.
The resale rule
Most buyers — and families with small children — want at least one bathtub in the home. If you only have one bathroom, keeping a tub (or a tub-shower combo) is usually the safer resale choice.
If you have multiple bathrooms, converting the primary bath to a roomy walk-in shower is popular and desirable, as long as a tub remains elsewhere.
Accessibility and space
Walk-in showers are far easier and safer to enter than stepping over a tub wall — a major plus for aging-in-place and accessibility. They also feel more open and modern, and a curbless design maximizes usable space.
Tubs remain better for bathing children, soaking, and households that genuinely use them.
Tub vs walk-in shower
| Factor | Tub | Walk-in shower |
|---|---|---|
| Resale (only bathroom) | Better | Riskier |
| Accessibility | Harder to enter | Easier / safer |
| Modern appeal | Traditional | Strong |
| Families with kids | Better | Limited |
| Space feel | Bulkier | Open |
Key takeaways
- Keep at least one tub in the home for resale.
- Walk-in showers win on accessibility and modern appeal.
- Convert the primary bath to a shower if a tub exists elsewhere.
- Families with young kids usually want a tub.