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Bathtub vs Shower: Which is Right for Your Home?

Still not sure what would work best in your home? Wonder no more, we make it easy for you to decide with this list of pros and cons

Krita Raut
Krita Raut27 January 2017
Houzz India Contributor. A journalist who discovered her passion for architecture and home décor some three years back, now I am all set to explore this subject further through my writing. Another new found passion of mine – coloring books for adults.
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After a long day at work, would you prefer a relaxing bath or a quick refreshing shower? While we all have our preferences, the reality is that we have to consider practicalities as well. So, to help you make a sound decision, we have listed out the pros and cons of a bathtub and a shower. Read on and go for the one that fits your home and your needs best.
Frahm Interiors - Burlington ON
Shower
Pros:
  • A shower doesn’t take much space so it is perfect for small bathrooms. Just a showerhead in one corner and you will have space for other bathroom fittings.
  • Showers are eco-friendly; you use less water while taking a shower as compared to in a bath.
  • Showers are more versatile; you can go for overhead or handheld sprays.
Kumar Moorthy & Associates
  • The problem that your whole bathroom tends to get wet while you take a shower can be sorted by installing shower units. These prevent the spillage of water beyond the shower areas and also keep the steam within the enclosure.
  • Shower units can be customised to any space and come in different sizes. They come in a variety of types too – shower stalls, shower enclosures, and shower cabinets.
  • While a bathtub has always been associated with a luxe, relaxing experience, these days showers with special features, such as multiple jet sprays, rainwater showers, waterfall showers are fast gaining popularity in the luxury segment too.
  • Unlike in a bathtub, it is easier to get in and out of a shower; it is more practical for the elderly and for people with disabilities.
The BNK Group
  • A shower space can be customised with grab bars, a seat and other features as per your requirement.
  • You can install non-slippery tiles in the shower area to avoid any mishap.
How to Give Your Bathroom the Spa Treatment
Sonali shah
Cons:
  • Most people don’t get shower units installed. So everyday is about wiping the floor dry and about trying to not slip.
  • To ensure that water doesn’t get out of the unit, it needs to be installed properly. Make sure the fitting is perfect so that there is no water spillage.
  • Most small bathrooms have shower units with sliding doors and with time these doors tend to come off the tracks. So these need maintenance on a regular basis.
  • Shower units need regular attention too; you have to wipe them dry to avoid stains (and blockages) that minerals in the water often tend to create.
Hansgrohe USA
  • It is not easy to give your toddlers a bath in a shower. Unlike in a bathtub, here you can’t avoid getting yourself wet as well.
Savio & Rupa Interior Concepts (Bangalore)
Bathtub
Pros:
  • A bathtub can give you a spa experience at home. Add some bath salts, light scented candles, put on your favourite music and relax. Take a nice long soak.
  • These days bathtubs come with many fun additions – jacuzzi jets, air jets, in-line heaters and foot massage jets.
Prachi Damle Photography
  • If you have small children, a tub can make bath time fun and a lot convenient.
  • A stand-alone bathtub can easily be the showstopper of the space; it can transform a mere bathroom into a stylish zone. And there is an endless list of materials and designs to choose from.
Architecture BRIO
  • A built-in bathtub can be incorporated to fit into your bathroom – you can go for the recessed style or deck-mounted with a tiled surrounding.
10 Dazzling Tubs for a Relaxing Soak
Kumar Moorthy & Associates
Cons:
  • Getting in and out of a bathtub can be a bit of a hassle for the elderly.
    • Bathtubs are not known to conserve water. So if you are environment conscious, it is a big no no. An average bathtub can hold up to 80 litres of water. While an extra deep tub can hold up to 180 litres. So choose wisely.
    • For winters, you would need to install a larger capacity water heater that can heat the water.
Savio & Rupa Interior Concepts (Bangalore)
Shower-tub combination
If choosing between a bathtub and a shower is proving to be problematic, take the middle path. Go for a combination of both. Get a showerhead installed on the wall next to the tub and install a screen or a shower curtain to separate this area.

Pros:
  • You get the best of both worlds as you have the option to either take a shower or a bath in the same bathroom.
  • You have space for the tub, then installing a shower over it is usually easy.
Merzbau Design Collective
Cons:
  • Taking a shower while standing in a bath might not be so comfortable.
  • Cleaning can be tiresome. Here the tub, the showerhead as well as the walls need regular scrubbing.
Now that you have found out the good and the not-so-good side of each, I am guessing it will be easier to decide between the two. And if you have more than one bathroom in your house, how about installing a bathtub in one and shower in another to get the best of both worlds? Problem solved.




Read more:
Bathroom Storage: 9 Ways to Squeeze in More
Bring Home the Beauty of Marble

Tell us:
Which one do your prefer – a bathtub or a shower? Tell us why in the Comment section below.
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