Shower or Bathtub? How to Choose

Of course it is best to choose both, but what if you cannot fit a shower and a bathtub in the bathroom? Consider how often do you bathe, and how often do other family members. If there are children in the house, a bathtub is often a natural choice, because kids love to splash in the water. However if your children are growing out of the rubber duck and foam phase, a bathtub may no longer be a priority.

Also remember a bathtub requires installing at least one handle on the wall to make sure stepping in and out is safe. If there are seniors living with you, stepping into a bathtub may become increasingly difficult as they get older. If you decide to install a shower, make sure to discuss with the architect or the construction crew that the shower base is not elevated. An elevated shower base is easier for the plumber, but it also makes getting in and out more difficult. You will save money on renovation, but you are going to regret it every time you take a shower.

Your suspicions are unfortunately true. A bathtub will increase your water bill. Assuming a standard bathtub takes 150 litres of water, while modern shower heads allow 6 litres of water per minute, the shower is cheaper. Unless you spend more than 20 minutes in the shower.

Shower cabins were once a product targeted at people with small bathrooms. They were considered an economic solution, albeit not always a comfortable one. This is no longer true. In bathrooms, even the spacious ones, nobody chooses these days whether to install a shower or a bathtub. Both are installed for maximum comfort. A warm shower under a rainhead is a great way to relax after a long day - more on this topic in our Hygge Style Bathroom guide.

Choosing a shower estimate the bathroom size. Beside the space for the shower cabin there must also be space to get out, dry, and move. It is worth noting you no longer need to calculate how far the cabin door opens, because there are cabins with sliding doors as well as walk-in cabins, separated from the rest of the bathroom with just a tempered glass panel. The latter requires more space so as not to spray water on furniture or towels. A sensible minimum is 80 x 80 cm, but if you can fit a larger shower, do it.

If you need a bathtub, consider whether you will need a screen. This will allow you to choose whether you take a shower or a bath. Bath screens can be very aesthetic - choose the one which will fit your bathroom color scheme.