I personally never take baths, but in our current remodel, we are going to use one of those white freestanding tubs. We are also in a community with few to no children, but grandchildren do come to visit and depending on their age, we felt a tub was necessary. Our master is the only bathroom we are able to put a tub, otherwise, I would have put one in one of the other bathrooms. We replaced a huge sunken jacuzzi tub with the freestanding tub, based on the realtor's suggestion (we will probably sell it in a couple of years).

I believe there should be at least one tub in the house... you never know when you might have a child visiting, or living in the home.

That makes sense. We have no grandchildren so that isn't a consideration. I have a sunken plastic maroon 1980's ugly tub. Too bad it's all one piece and built in because the 30 year motor is still going strong and has only needed 1 repair during that time. I'd like the heater because these tubs take 80 gallons of water minimum and I'm not willing at this point to replace the water heater with a huge one. I think I'm talking myself out of the tub, LOL.

The lack of a tub is a strong consideration in keeping it. Could be I can do a soaking if nothing else

We are replacing our Jacuzzi tub with a nice, large shower and adding a "drying" area next to it (where the old shower was). Idea being, shower, then move to dry area to dry off, apply lotions, comb/dry hair, polish nails, etc. Then out & into walk in closet.

This is our 2nd home. We had a jacuzzi in our first home and used it maybe 3 times in 30 years. Haven't used this one at all.

We plan to replace the guest bathtub/shower combo with a shower only. Only other bathroom is outside.

We're also in a mostly older area, and tbh, if little kiddos come over, I'll get a kiddie pool for them to bathe in.

We're not wasting all that prime shower space for the extremely rare kids' bath. And I prefer our teen-adult guests to be more comfortable.

Beth, that's my thinking also - this is for a second home. Where the tub is will not interfere with the shower (opposite of the room), but I could use that space for a make up table or a bigger vanity. My real concern is how big of a problem is it if we sell and there's no tub. It's expensive to put in a tub, by the time you add all the extras with the tub. I keep reading that older people like tubs but unless they're a walk in, they're a huge safety hazard. I don't believe it.

I remodeled and got rid of the tub so I only have two showers.

I don't bathe and most adults I know don't take baths. Even guests who might ordinarily take a bath at home don't take baths when visiting. At a certain age, people who used to take the occasional bath stop because it is hazardous and difficult to get out of the tub when sitting on the bottom.

In terms of resale, I think most adults - especially in an area that is populated by aging and older people - would prefer a fabulous large walk in shower designed for aging in place. Also I would imagine many of your guests would be adults or your contemporaries.

So what if a few people would not buy a home without a tub - the potential market in your area probably have a higher percentage who would prefer not to have a tub because it isn't used and still has to be cleaned.

At any rate, it is your home and you should remodel to suit your needs and aesthetics.

Helen, thank you for your comments, makes sense. I have to decide if I want the tub or not - part of me does and part of me does not.

If you want a tub, that is a separate issue.

For myself I would actively NOT purchase a home with a large tub and a relatively small shower in the master but that's me.

I have a large tub and a tiny shower. Yikes, and now you know why I'm remodeling. I'm fortunate that the tub is not near the shower, so I can make a big shower and still have the tub. But I didn't thik about giving a dog a bath in the luxury tub - I'm adding a hand held shower so it would be perfect for that. And I may own a dog in the future.

So if I do have a tub, should the sides of the drop in be the same as the cabinet? I read on another thread that that is a dated look. But I don't want tile or the countertop material, either. That's pretty expensive and also if you have to get at the tub for a repair, leak, etc, wooden side panels make that much easier, it seems. I'm planning to have access through the vanity cabinet.

Do you plan to keep this house for a long while, or will you be selling in a few years? If this house is for YOU, then do what works for you, not some unknown stranger who may be house hunting twenty years from now. It's not like the entire universe of home buyers is families with children under the age of ten. I think we sometimes go too far in trying to guess what future buyers might like or dislike and shortchange ourselves in the process. Make yourself a wonderful bathroom, clubnev.

P.S. I have only one bathroom in my current house and I took out the tub in favor of a beautiful and safe shower. The next owners can tear it all out if they want.

We are putting a big shower in the main bath and a deep tub in the hall one. No jets - hate them because I feel like they’re impossible to get clean without a filtration system, plus we’ll have a hot tub outside - but sometimes you just want a soak with a glass of wine. Well, I do.

I think it is a balancing act. How much time will you spend enjoying the space vs how much money it may bring or more likely, how much time it will take you to sell when you are ready to sell.

The difference in price will probably be minimal, but there will be some buyers who won't look at your home or won't buy it because it doesn't have a tub.

There are about 30% of home buyers that consider a tub as essential and wouldn't consider buying a home with out a tub, but many seniors won't use a tub. If that is your market your probably fine taking out the tub.

The thing to remember is you don't need 100% of the home buyers wanting to buy your home, you need one buyer that will make you a fair offer.

My thoughts, as a GenX-ager. :)

1) no jets, ever. stuff grows in there that you'd never want to see.

2) consider a small round Japanese soaking tub -- easy to get neck deep, small footprint in the room, usually have a seat (which doubles as a step on the inside)...

Soaking Tub and Open Shower · More Info

Aquatica True Ofuro Mini Freestanding Stone Japanese Soaking Bathtub · More Info

Ofuro Style Soaking Tub Bathroom Remodel · More Info

Master Bathroom with Japanese soaking Tub · More Info

That’s interesting. I’ll check it out. Like that it has a seat. Thanks

Jennifer - that's exactly why I want the tub. I haven't used my exiting tub that often but when I have - relaxing with a glass of wine is a great way to wind down the day, especially after a good workout or a day of exercise. The other side of me says, how often are you really going to use it. If no tub then I need to buy more cabinets or fill up the space somehow, so I don't think it's much of a cost savings to eliminate the tub, especially since the plumbing is already installed.

Are you in a warm weather area?

We have 2 1/2 baths and are also at that age. We too are in an area where the average age is retired, (although there are families in the surrounding areas) but decided to put in a soaking tub. I wouldn't put in a jetted or air tub again because of the ick factor. However when I put the tub in, I forgot we're in FL and were also putting in a hot tub outside (along with the pool). Yes I've used the soaking tub but used the hot tub outside even more. If I had to do it over, I think I might have left the tub out completely and just been happy with the hot tub.

If you install a jetted tub I recommend paneling the front for access to the motor. I don't care if it's "in" or "out," it's the practical thing to do. When we installed one in our previous house the cabinet maker was able to provide door panels that matched the vanity which we put on the front of the built-in tub in a manner that made them easy to remove. However, they are expensive, so if you don't think you're going to use it, skip the jets.

Plan on installing grab bars in your shower during construction while you know where the studs in the wall are. Even if you don't need them now, you might before you move, or the next person might want them.

Thanks, we plan to do exactly that - the tub panels will match the vanity and I could make an access point through the inside vanity cabinet as i have now . I think the motor is going to sit in between the tub and the vanity.

We also plan to put grab bars around the tub. Probably 2 12" grab bars and they match the vanity and tub faucets. Also adding them in the shower. Old or not, if you slip, it's nice to have something to grab onto.

Great advice. We added a grab bar in our remodeled shower - got a nice looking one - you can't even notice it because it's pretty and matches everything. No need to have those ugly round ones. They make them where they match the towel bars so it all looks coordinated. Guess none of us are getting any younger!

I'm leaning towards an air tub. I like jets but don't want to have to run cleaner every time I use the jets. The air tubs - they self clean because it's air, rather than water, per my understanding.

My understanding from the plumbing supply houses I've visited is that if you get an air tub, there's no ick because hot air blows out (intead of water like a jetted tub). The better quality air tubs have a dryer where after the tub is emptied, you press a button and it dries the out the air holes. If anyone has had a different expereince with air tubs, please post.

The disadvantage of the air tub is I can't find one that has a heater (in a major brand) which I find odd, especially since some soaker tubs come with a heater. I don't want an odd brand of tub if I'm getting a motor.

Ok so just realized that the air coming out of the tub is heated.

I put a tub in my guest bath. Got am oversized deep soaking tub because I enjoy a nice soak.

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I have the on demand hot water for my whole house, so I didn't need to upgrade my hot water heater to accommodate the tub.

I also got grab bars that double as soap/ shampoo holders. . .

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ELZQM6A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

will also have a standard vertical grab bar for stepping in and out of the tub.

I opted for just a soaking tub, no jets of any type.

I love having the whole home on demand (tankless) water heater for baths and showers. Endless supply of hot water. What I don't like is the lag time from the basement to my kitchen where hot water may take 2-3 minutes to reach my kitchen sink / dishwasher or washing machine.

Am adding a tankless point of service hot water heater to the kitchen when I renovate the kitchen.

OK now I realize the air that comes out the jets is heated.