Getting rid of bath, would you?

[Flicketyflack]

I have just moved in to a new property and the family bathroom needs refurbishing.
Currently it has a bath with a shower over it, a basin and toilet. There is also a heated towel rail.
Ideally I would love a separate shower & bath & have had a quotation which makes this possible. However the plumber has visited and looked at the dimensions and it would be a squeeze!
We looked at a short bath & narrower shower but tbh there is no point it getting it any smaller otherwise it is unusable.
The plumber suggested doing away with the bath and having a large shower instead.
Otherwise we recreate what with have with maybe a bigger bath with shower over the end!
Help! I am not sure what to do, would we regret it if we took the bath away?
Anyone done away with their bath?
Did you regret it?

super lux ginormous shower

I once stayed in a fancy hotel with an amazing walk in shower.

Except the walk in bit was actually a raised edge all the way round, so it basically created it's own shallow paddling pool if you wanted it.

Only talking like ankle deep at most, but seeing as the only thing I actually used the bath for is rinsing big items like curtains or nets, then that would be ideal!
I'd have that set up in a flash.

(You could also easily bath small children in it as well, so win:win)

Except the walk in bit was actually a raised edge all the way round, so it basically created it's own shallow paddling pool if you wanted it.

A bit like this, but fancier!

@RavenLG, you’ve probably got a lot longer than that - my mum was still hopping in and out of the bath in her 90s!

We are getting a new bathroom next week, and have bought an L shaped bath. The shower space is as large as the biggest standalone showers, but still with the option of having a bath. Double rainfall shower on top and a fitted glass shower screen. Why have either bath or shower when you could have both?

We did last year. We had a 3 year old and I was pregnant with DD.

Never regretted it. My now 4 year old loves the big walk in shower and when DD was little we bathed her in a baby bath on the shower floor and now she happily sits on the shower floor or comes one in with me.

We did it for the same reason as you OP. We could have just got a bath and small shower cubicle in but it would have been a squeeE. Now we have a walk in shower the length of one wall. I love it. Not missed the bath once.

We have lived with both of your options in recent years.

Bearing in mind your lack of space and that you are actually doing up the bathroom I would renew the bath and put a pumped power shower over the bath.
By which I mean a totally separate the water supply from the bath so it can have decent pressure as opposed to a bath tap fed shower.

We have found over time the flexibility of both options can be useful.

Have you looked at Japanese soaking baths?

Japanese soaking baths look amazing however the prices are a little steep

Lovely concept thanks for the suggestion.

Never in a million years.

But then, I would not like a bath with a shower over.

I love a bath and couldn't live without

Got rid of my bath 12 years ago. Now have a wet room and love it!

Just to add - I have underfloor heating in my wet room. I love it and so glad I didn't worry about resale value 25 years down the line. It's my home right now and it's what makes me happy!

If you plan to be there for the long haul and none of you like to bath then go for it. Personally though for families a bath is appealing albeit for the kids, dog or a relaxing soak. If we loved a house with only a shower we would go for it but I would be planning to add a bath in pretty quickly.

No, keep the bath with a shower over it. That way, You get the best of both worlds. I would avoid cubicle showers if I could as they are a real pain to clean.

Besides, plumbers always suggest cubicle showers as they make a lot of money out of them.

I’d want a bath. Mine is used every day. My teenagers also like to have baths. The only one who never uses it is DH.

But for every person who says "I love baths", another would be happy to never see a bathtub ever again.

The only right option is what works for YOU and your circumstances.

None of us are definitely correct.

If you are going to live in the house and have no plans to do up and we'll then I'd take it out. And on the basis of what you say it seems the right thing.

I'd never buy a house without a bath, and I think you limit your market not having one, but as you're living in it then I'd just do what suits you best

I think it'll get increasingly common to just have a shower, and less of a big deal to lose the bath.

Personally I like showers over baths, so a P shaped bath with shower over would be my preference, but I know a large shower cubicle appeals to many. We don't bath often but my tweens really love their baths and after scout camp etc, I do feel they are cleaner after a proper soak. But you should do what works for you.

As others have said shower only may effect resale. If a shower suits your family and you are not intending to move again any time soon it might be a better option, but be prepared to reinstall a bath before you list.

We took out bath out as nobody used it and it meant we could have a big shower. No plans to move ever. Works for us.

If the bathroom is small I'd go for a P-shaped bath if you want the spacious feel of a walk-in shower. I have a granny flat with a bathroom 5 foot square and a P bath and curved glass screen, and it doesn't feel cramped. Our bath is used at least daily, though - I hate staying in student accommodation which doesn't have baths any more.

I'd get rid of mine in a heartbeat if I could afford to. Forget about future buyers. You've only just moved in. Do what suits your family best, not someone who might buy it in years to come.

We got rid of our bath in January. No regrets at all