One of the most popular home upgrades is the bathroom remodel, and when it comes to a design for your improved bathroom, there are at least five tub/shower options available. These vary widely, and the one you choose will have a lasting impact on the space. We’ll take a look at the pros and cons of each to help you pick the right setup for your practical needs, aesthetic goals, and budget.

 

---

 

1. Traditional tub/shower combination.

We’ll start with the option many of us probably grew up with: a corner bathtub with a faucet and shower head. This remains a space-friendly and budget-friendly option. While it’s not as luxurious as some of the other choices, you can still make it more impressive than the fiberglass insert you may remember from childhood.

• Choose just a tub, rather than an insert that will cover the walls.
• Opt for attractive wall tiles that give the shower area character and charm.
• Ditch the shower curtain idea and enclose the tub with a stylish glass and metal

 

2. Freestanding tub with a separate glass shower.

An up and coming trend is to pair a freestanding soaker tub with a distinct glass shower enclosure. Soaker tubs are available in styles ranging from claw-foot to modern and are made from diverse materials including acrylic, porcelain, copper, and wood. These tubs offer a soothing place to relax, but they are also very decorative in themselves and add a beautiful silhouette to the space. At the same time, the separate glass stall also upgrades the room’s aesthetic and offers a convenient and pleasant shower experience. Glass enclosures can be tailored to your design vision by the glass you choose and by choices you make for the hardware, such as the door’s handle and hinges (see some options here). As in the case of the tub/shower combo, many homeowners like how this setup offers a couple different options for freshening up. This layout will require more space and greater financial investment.

 

3. Soaker tub and shower area in a glass enclosure.

We are also seeing an even newer trend: a tub and shower together in a large glass enclosure. There’s no doubt that this is an impressive look reminiscent of a luxury hotel. Like the other options discussed so far, this offers you the choice between a shower and a bath. However, you should only go this route if you have room and budget for a truly spacious glass stall. If a tub is crammed into a mid-size enclosure, it can be a trip hazard, make the shower area inconveniently small, or lead to the creation of small uncleanable gaps between the tub and the walls. A large enclosure like this is often equipped with hinged French doors or frameless sliding doors (click to see products).

 

4. Shower only, no bathtub.

While some enjoy a nice soak in the tub, others rarely or ever take a bath, preferring a shower. In this case, opting for just a shower stall can be space-saving and cost-effective. If you are in your forever home and the bathroom won’t be used for bathing children, it’s worth considering this. However, simply in terms of resale appeal, it is generally recommended that a home include at least one bathtub, even if one or more bathrooms is shower-only. This option will be most visually appealing if the shower is built of glass or if a glass door with pivot or side-mount hinges is used in lieu of a curtain.

 

5. Bathtub only, no shower.

Finally, it’s possible to have a bathroom with just a tub and no shower. However, due to the popularity of showering and its convenience when you need to cleanse quickly, this is rare. If you are trying to authentically preserve or recreate the old-fashioned setup of a period home, though, you might go this route in at least one bathroom and offer only an antique tub.

 

---

 

Glass Simple can help!

 

If you pick an option that includes shower glass, the team at Glass Simple is here to make it easy to source the hardware you need. We offer many styles and finishes and make customer care and prompt turnaround our top priorities. Give us a call at (571)707-7760 if you’d like to establish a business account and receive lower pricing.