It’s one of the most common questions we hear from homeowners planning a bathroom remodel: Should we keep the tub or go for a bigger shower?
Maybe you’ve got a giant corner bathtub you haven’t used in years. Maybe your shower feels cramped and outdated. Or maybe you're wondering if ditching the tub will hurt your home’s resale value, or worse, make it less functional for your family. Oxland Builders has helped dozens of homeowners throughout New Hampshire and Southern Maine navigate this exact decision, and we’ve learned that the right answer depends on more than just what’s trendy.
Before you worry about resale or trends, think about the people in your home today and how they use the bathroom. Your lifestyle should lead the conversation. Here are some common situations to consider.
A standard bathtub is still the easiest way to bathe small children. If your household includes toddlers or babies, or you plan to start a family soon, you’ll probably want at least one tub in the house, even if it’s not in the primary suite.
Some people genuinely unwind in the bath, and if that’s you, great! Consider a modern freestanding tub as a sculptural focal point that looks just as good as it feels. Just be sure you’re using it enough to justify the space and budget.
If you’re a shower-every-day kind of person, and the tub is just taking up space, a larger, more luxurious walk-in shower may be a better fit. Think bench seating, dual showerheads, and a frameless glass enclosure for a spa-like feel with better functionality.
If you plan to stay in your home long-term, a curbless shower can offer greater accessibility, especially when paired with a built-in bench and handheld spray. It’s safer, easier to maintain, and often more future-friendly than a tub.
If you’re regularly hosting overnight guests or have older family members living with you, the right answer might be a combination: a shower in the primary suite and a tub in a secondary bathroom for flexibility.
Quick Tip: If you're not sure what direction makes the most sense, start by listing:
Once you know who’s using the space and how, the next factor is your floor plan. What’s possible depends heavily on the shape and size of your existing bathroom and how far you're willing to go to change it.
In many homes throughout New England, the standard hall bath is roughly 5' x 8'. That’s enough room for a single-sink vanity, a toilet, and a 60-inch tub/shower combo. But squeezing in both a separate tub and a large walk-in shower in that footprint? That’s almost never realistic without moving walls.
If you’re eyeing a freestanding tub and a separate walk-in shower, you’ll need a primary suite or a larger footprint. This is where working with a design-build team makes a big difference. We can help you maximize what you’ve got or reconfigure to get what you want.
We also create 3D renderings to help you visualize the space before construction starts. That’s especially helpful when making decisions about where to put a tub, whether to go curbless, or how large your new shower can actually be.
This is one of the most common concerns we hear from investment-savvy homeowners, and it’s a fair one: If we take out the only bathtub, are we hurting our resale value? The short answer: it depends on the home and the market.
If your home has only one full bathroom, and you remove the tub, you may be limiting your future buyer pool, especially among young families. Most real estate agents in the region will tell you that buyers expect at least one tub in a home with two or more bedrooms. That’s especially true for detached, single-family homes in suburban neighborhoods like Stratham, Exeter, or Dover.
But if you already have a tub in another full bath, especially in a guest or hall bathroom, then converting the primary bath into a spacious, modern shower remodel is often seen as a value add.
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Over the past several years, we’ve seen a growing trend: homeowners ditching unused corner tubs in favor of more usable square footage and larger showers. And buyers? They're increasingly okay with that if the shower is well-designed and the home still has at least one tub elsewhere.
In higher-end homes with more space, we sometimes see clients include both: a walk-in shower plus a sculptural freestanding tub that serves as a luxury focal point. But that’s a design choice, not a requirement.
Whether you’re planning to stay in your home for decades or making updates for a parent moving in, accessibility matters, and the right bathroom design can help ensure safety, comfort, and independence for years to come.
One of the smartest ways to future-proof your space is with a curbless shower. Unlike traditional showers with a step-up threshold, a curbless entry makes access easier for anyone with mobility challenges or who may use a walker or wheelchair in the future.
At Oxland, we incorporate many of these features into every remodel, not just for clients who request it, but because they simply make sense. And for those who want to go further, our team includes Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS) who understand how to blend access and support with design-forward finishes.
Accessible bathrooms can still be beautiful. We work with tile, lighting, and layout choices that keep the space warm and stylish while delivering everyday ease, so you don’t have to choose between good design and smart planning.
If you’re stuck with a bathtub you don’t use, wondering if you should add one back in, or just ready to make your bathroom work better for your life today (and tomorrow), we’re here to help.
Oxland Builders proudly serves homeowners across Stratham, Portsmouth, Rye, Exeter, Hampton, and the entire Seacoast of New Hampshire, as well as Nearby Massachusetts and coastal Southern Maine.
Let’s plan your next bathroom remodel, together. Schedule your consultation today.