Should You Keep Your Bathtub? A Guide for Boston Homeowners

How many baths have you taken this summer? If the answer is “none,” it might be time to trade your dated step-over tub for something a little more practical. Tub-to-shower conversions are our most popular upgrade in Boston homes and here’s some reasons why:

☑️ Practicality 

Walk-in showers are versatile. Converting an awkward step-over tub increases convenience and accessibility for everyone from families to aging homeowners. It reduces fall risks and offers more additional features for those with mobility issues. They also take much less maintenance—cutting down on both your shower time and your time spent cleaning. 

☑️ Right for Resale 

Boston homes are notorious for having cramped spaces. Bathrooms are often no exception. Awkward layouts and small floorplans call for unique solutions. Taking out a space-consuming step-over tub can easily open up a room and instantly make your bathroom feel larger. Walk-in showers are very appealing to buyers in the Boston area. Those looking to purchase often view step-over tubs as dated, worry about the potential plumbing concerns that may be involved with them in older homes, and are simply drawn to the convenience and spacious feel that walk-in showers offer.

☑️ Turnaround Time

One of the biggest hesitations homeowners have about tackling a home project before the back-to-school rush is the fear of long, disruptive construction schedules.

Because we custom-measure your space prior to installation, our design-build process is streamlined to handle plumbing, shower surrounds, and fixtures efficiently. Many tub-to-shower conversions can actually be completed in about a day. You get a completely modernized space without losing access to your bathroom for weeks on end—allowing you to wrap up your end-of-summer updates before the busy fall routines set in.

☑️ What if I Want to Soak?

Deciding whether to keep a tub comes down to your home’s overall layout. For families and resale considerations, a great rule of thumb is to maintain at least one bathtub in the home—typically in a secondary or hall bathroom—to accommodate young children or future buyers. However, if you own or rent out one of the many single-bathroom condos in Boston that are geared towards students or single professionals, a tub is not a necessity—a spa shower may actually be the best lifestyle fit.

For those with multiple bathrooms looking to update the primary bath in their home, converting that underused step-over tub into a modern walk-in shower is almost always the right move. You get the daily functionality you actually use, while keeping a secondary tub preserves your home’s appeal for buyers down the road.

Ready to convert your space before the back-to-school season?

Reach out to Bath World of Boston today to schedule a free consultation and explore the best conversion options for your home’s layout. We’ll help talk you through it with both your current lifestyle concerns and future considerations in mind.