Had this issue with a client recently. A few questions...Do you use a tub or a shower more? Do you ever use a tub? Will the addition of a tub interfere with the flow of the bathroom or significantly decrease counter or storage space? Are you moving any time soon? You might want to consider doing a shower in tub layout if space is limited, take a look...

I personally don't feel a tub is required in a master bathroom, I'm sure realtors would disagree with that. I just like to prioritize function and most people take a shower more than a bath. If I had to choose in order to save space or money, I would choose a great shower area. Hope that helps. Charmean Neithart

Hi,
I think what matters the most is:
a) how long will you be staying in your current home
b) what do you want

If you are planning on moving in the next 5-7 years I would have to say it may be a good idea to put a tub in as the realtor has said it helps with resale.
What usually happens when your selling is one half of the couple purchasing loves baths while the other couldn't care less for them.
People aren't going to say, "oh how annoying there's a BATH in here"
But they will say, "oh that's weird...there's NO bath in here!"
It's easier to take something out than to add plumbing and space to put a bath in.
Having said that....
If you are planning on staying in your home for the next 10+ years of your life and you hate baths or love baths do what will make you love your home right now while you are living in it.
After all it's your abode, your castle, and at the end of the day you will be the one taking the bath (or not) and nobody else (well, unless someone is joining you)!
:o)

Thank you! That helps a lot. I currently have a huge platform soaking tub (circa 1980's when they were popular!) and a small corner shower 3'x3'. I have the room for a tub and I do occasionally use one. I plan on staying 5-7 years but maybe not 10. I think I will go for a nice shower and a smaller tub! Thanks again!

Great. Good decision, good luck with your project.

believe it or not, when we were building our house, our then 13-year old daughter told us she didn't want a bathtub in her bathroom, so we just put in a shower. The dimensions are the same as for a tub, so whenever we sell, it will be very easy to put one in.

In my interior design experience, I've found that a tub is not necessary unless it's something strongly desired by the homeowner(s). I have found that people are just as happy with a large and luxurious shower and having a steam shower gives your resale value a boost more so than a tub. If you are so inclined to go this path, I'd suggest looking at Thermasol for a system that comes with lots of extras like light therapy and sound system connectivity. When I sold my old house, the steam shower was a major selling point and far more interesting than a tub (but don't get me wrong, I love me a soaking tub).

I love the smaller tub/ bigger shower solution! I think a bathroom without a tub is okay as long as there is one tub in the house.

Agree that there should be a bath somewhere in the house. Very young visitors can not use a shower and there are those rare times when you have a medical reason to use a tub instead of a shower.

Thermasol for the best in quality, technology and service in steam, and shower enhancements!

http://www.poshhaus.com/store/m/28-Thermasol.html

Toddlers don't take showers.

We are in the process of building a home and have not put a tub (as gorgeous as those free standing tubs are!) in our master ensuite. We are putting in a very large shower with a glass wall/door. After 11 years with a large corner soaker tub, I realized all I did was dust it out! We are putting a tub in the main bathroom, so we think that will do.
Having said that, it's just a personal choice for each homeowner.