Here’s Why Walk-In Showers Are Replacing Bathtubs in Contemporary Homes

These days, space is a luxury — especially when it comes to our bathrooms. Long considered the domain of self-care, increasingly we’re seeing homeowners choosing to forgo bulky bathtubs, which, typically, tend to sit unused for far longer than not, in lieu of sleek, more streamlined shower designs.

But that’s not the only thing that seems to be shifting the dial on the age-old shower versus bath debate. The idea of the “everything shower,” a trend that sees the shower become the center of a multi-step, almost meditative self-care routine, has certainly contributed to this evolution, causing a ripple effect throughout bathroom designs.

Where perhaps we once defaulted to more traditional bathroom layouts, we’re now seeing designs that feel more spacious, functional, and sleek. Ones centred around larger showers, shifting towards more open-concept plans, perhaps even including luxurious features like dual shower heads or digital showers that work seamlessly to elevate the experience into something more spa-like.

This shift towards shower-centric bathroom design isn’t just about practicality, though, it’s as much a reflection of the way we live today, and how that’s changed in recent years. Aesthetically, many of us are looking for spaces that work hard, but aren’t hard to look at. That means opting for more minimalist, yet multifunctional designs.

Showers, especially more open, walk-in styles, help to create a light and airy aesthetic in a bathroom, as well as a more seamless flow. They contribute to that feeling of effortlessness — where washing away the day doesn’t have to feel rushed, but more like a reward.

And opting for a shower over a bath doesn’t have to be a compromise, particularly in a smaller space. In fact, it’s often quite the opposite. Bathroom designs built around larger showers can be about more than just functionality and practicality, but luxury too. Shelves, niches, and even built-in shower benches (the ultimate “everything shower” accessory) are all possible. For those craving something a little more luxurious, companies such as Mira Showers offer products like rainfall showers, and ones with built-in digital controls to seamlessly customize temperature and flow to your specific liking.

But, of course, there are more practical benefits to opting for a shower over a bath, too. Namely the time and space saved as a result. For busy professionals or family households, a shower offers a step-in, step-out experience, not to mention the ample space that’s required to accommodate an “everything shower.”

While less of a style point, it’s also worth considering the practicalities of cleaning. Walk-in, glass-door showers are easier to maintain than most bathtubs, with fewer nooks and crannies, and hard-to-reach corners to cover, making modern shower set-ups not only typically more stylish, but also cleaner and more hygienic.

Good design is all about making your life better. It’s about simplifying your daily tasks, and making the things you do day in and day out — like showering — feel seamless, even satisfying. The shift to shower-centric bathrooms is a direct response to this, moving away from spaces that feel cluttered and weighed down, and towards designs that have more room for self-care rituals, and, of course, plenty of style.