Bathroom Design
Homeowners Focus on the Shower in Master Bathroom Remodels
Showers are getting bigger even as most rooms stay the same size, the 2020 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study shows
Taking a hot shower or soaking in the tub can be a wonderful way to unwind from a demanding day. Many homeowners renovating their master bathroom are using their shower or tub for just this purpose, new Houzz research shows.
Yet over time, the shower seems to be edging out the tub as a focal point in remodels. Many remodeling homeowners are expanding their shower even when they aren’t changing the master bathroom’s size. Fewer direct their remodeling investment dollars to the tub.
Read on for more about the choices homeowners are making about their master bathroom showers and tubs, according to the 2020 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study.
Yet over time, the shower seems to be edging out the tub as a focal point in remodels. Many remodeling homeowners are expanding their shower even when they aren’t changing the master bathroom’s size. Fewer direct their remodeling investment dollars to the tub.
Read on for more about the choices homeowners are making about their master bathroom showers and tubs, according to the 2020 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study.
Showers, Not Bathrooms, Are Getting Bigger
Showers are getting special attention in master bathroom remodels. Renovating homeowners are nearly two and a half times as likely (54%) to increase their shower’s size as they are to increase the size of the bathroom itself (20%). They are also more likely to change the bathroom’s layout (45%).
In fact, most master bathrooms (78%) are about the same size after the remodel. This may be due to the fact that many master bathrooms (60%) are already 100 square feet or more before renovation. Some spaces are significantly larger, with 23% of renovated bathrooms measuring 200 square feet or more this year, compared with 20% last year.
Showers are getting special attention in master bathroom remodels. Renovating homeowners are nearly two and a half times as likely (54%) to increase their shower’s size as they are to increase the size of the bathroom itself (20%). They are also more likely to change the bathroom’s layout (45%).
In fact, most master bathrooms (78%) are about the same size after the remodel. This may be due to the fact that many master bathrooms (60%) are already 100 square feet or more before renovation. Some spaces are significantly larger, with 23% of renovated bathrooms measuring 200 square feet or more this year, compared with 20% last year.
Shower Size Is Going Up but Not Dramatically
Two-thirds (66%) of homeowners who change the size of their shower go bigger, while only 1% go smaller.
Yet homeowners increasing their shower’s size aren’t supersizing them. In fact, only 22% say their shower will be significantly larger (more than 50% larger), down from 28% who said this two years ago, in 2018. And 33% keep their shower about the same size when renovating.
Two-thirds (66%) of homeowners who change the size of their shower go bigger, while only 1% go smaller.
Yet homeowners increasing their shower’s size aren’t supersizing them. In fact, only 22% say their shower will be significantly larger (more than 50% larger), down from 28% who said this two years ago, in 2018. And 33% keep their shower about the same size when renovating.
Tub Lovers Prefer Freestanding Flat-Bottom Styles
As showers gain steam, homeowners renovating their master bathroom are focusing less on the bathtub. Only 32% upgrade the tub during their project, down from 34% in 2019. And for the first time since Houzz began tracking the data in 2014, half of renovated master bathrooms don’t have a tub at all.
Among the 35% of renovating homeowners who do add or replace a bathtub as part of a master bathroom renovation, the top choice is a freestanding flat-bottom tub (53%). No matter which tub style they choose — freestanding, alcove or deck-mounted — homeowners frequently opt for a soaking tub (69%), which is deeper than a standard model. Acrylic is by far the most popular tub material (55%).
As showers gain steam, homeowners renovating their master bathroom are focusing less on the bathtub. Only 32% upgrade the tub during their project, down from 34% in 2019. And for the first time since Houzz began tracking the data in 2014, half of renovated master bathrooms don’t have a tub at all.
Among the 35% of renovating homeowners who do add or replace a bathtub as part of a master bathroom renovation, the top choice is a freestanding flat-bottom tub (53%). No matter which tub style they choose — freestanding, alcove or deck-mounted — homeowners frequently opt for a soaking tub (69%), which is deeper than a standard model. Acrylic is by far the most popular tub material (55%).
Premium Features in Showers and Tubs
Some homeowners are selecting premium features for showers (75%) and tubs (84%) that make these bathroom elements more high-end. A rainfall shower head (58%) is the most popular premium feature for an upgraded shower, while a dual shower — typically with two shower heads and room for two people — is the second-most-popular premium feature (24%) for an upgraded shower.
For upgraded tubs, the most popular premium feature is the aforementioned depth (69%), followed by space for two (21%) and a silent whirlpool (10%).
The 2020 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study gathered information from 1,594 Houzz users who reported that they were homeowners age 18 or older who had completed a master bathroom remodel or addition in the past 12 months, were currently working on one or were planning to start one in the next three months. The survey was fielded between June 24 and July 9, 2020.
Download the full study here
More on Houzz
Read stories about bathroom design
Browse bathroom photos for inspiration
Find a pro to help with your bathroom project
Some homeowners are selecting premium features for showers (75%) and tubs (84%) that make these bathroom elements more high-end. A rainfall shower head (58%) is the most popular premium feature for an upgraded shower, while a dual shower — typically with two shower heads and room for two people — is the second-most-popular premium feature (24%) for an upgraded shower.
For upgraded tubs, the most popular premium feature is the aforementioned depth (69%), followed by space for two (21%) and a silent whirlpool (10%).
The 2020 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study gathered information from 1,594 Houzz users who reported that they were homeowners age 18 or older who had completed a master bathroom remodel or addition in the past 12 months, were currently working on one or were planning to start one in the next three months. The survey was fielded between June 24 and July 9, 2020.
Download the full study here
More on Houzz
Read stories about bathroom design
Browse bathroom photos for inspiration
Find a pro to help with your bathroom project
In the midst of a stressful year, 2 in 5 homeowners remodeling their master bathroom say they use their renovated spaces to unwind. Cleanliness and a lack of clutter are keys to creating a restful environment for many of these homeowners.
More homeowners this year (54%) say that long showers help with relaxation compared with last year (49%). That puts taking a shower on par with soaking in the tub (55%) as a relaxation technique for homeowners who use their master bathroom as an unwinding zone. Meanwhile, interest in soaking in the tub as part of a soothing routine dropped seven percentage points compared with last year.
Plants help bring tranquility to a space, and 14% of homeowners who use their renovated master bathroom to relax say that greenery is a supportive feature.