It’s 2025. You’re staring at your avocado-green relic of a bathtub, wondering if it’s a vintage masterpiece or just a mold farm. Last week, you tried to take a “relaxing” bath, but between wrestling the shower curtain (why is it always sticky?) and nearly dislocating your hip climbing out, it felt more like a Cirque du Soleil audition.
As someone who once slipped in a tub and accidentally invented a interpretive dance routine titled “Help, I’m Drowning in Regret,” I’ve weighed the pros, cons, and questionable life choices of ditching the tub for a shower. Let’s break it down—no contractor jargon, just real talk and a side of sarcasm related to Bathroom Conversion from Tub to Shower.
1. The “Why Are We Even Debating This?” Argument
Spoiler: If you’re over 30, have bad knees, or own a pet that thinks bath time is a war crime, a walk-in shower isn’t a luxury—it’s survival.
- Accessibility Wins:
- No more Everest-ing over the tub ledge.
- Slip-resistant floors (unless you’re into Jackass-style stunts).
- Space for a teak bench to sit and contemplate your life choices.
- Aesthetic Clout:
Swap your Golden Girls tub for sleek glass doors, hexagon tiles, and a rainfall showerhead that makes you feel like you’re in a Beyoncé video.
- Time Saver:
Showers take 10 minutes. Baths take 30+ minutes, plus 15 to scrub the ring of shame afterward. Do the math while singing “I’m a Grown Adult” in your head.
But Wait! If you have toddlers or a dog who loves mud, keep the tub. Otherwise, you’ll be hosing them down in the yard like a feral raccoon.
2. The Cold Hard Cash Reality
In 2025, converting your tub to a shower costs $5k–$20k, depending on how extra you get. Let’s translate that into “Things You’ll Have to Sell on Facebook Marketplace”:
- Budget-Friendly ($5k–$8k):
- Prefab shower pan.
- Basic subway tile (aka “Landlord Special”).
- A curtain instead of glass doors. Feeling: “Ikea on a good day.”
- Mid-Tier ($9k–$15k):
- Custom tile (herringbone, because you’re fancy now).
- Frameless glass door that’ll fingerprint like a CSI scene.
- Niche shelves for your 12-step Korean skincare routine.
- Luxury ($16k–$20k+):
- Smart shower with Alexa (“Play ‘WAP’ and steam my back pores”).
- Heated floors so your toes don’t freeze like a Disney villain.
- Zero-entry design so you can roll into the shower like “Ta-da, I’m evolved!”
Hidden Costs:
- ”Oops, Your Walls Are Mush” tax: +$2k if they find mold.
- Permit Drama: $300–$1k to convince your city you’re not building a meth lab.
- Therapy: $200/hour to cope with contractor small talk.
3. Resale Value: Myth or Magic?
Realtors swear showers boost home value, but let’s be real:
- Pros:
- Gen Z and millennials think tubs are “where people die in horror movies.”
- Aging buyers want walk-ins, not a hip replacement hazard.
- Cons:
- Families with kids side-eye a tub-less house like it’s a haunted orphanage.
- Your “spa vibes” might clash with the buyer’s ”I heart clawfoot tubs” Pinterest board.
Verdict: You’ll maybe recoup 60% of the cost… if you don’t add that neon “Live, Laugh, Loofah” sign.
4. Alternatives for the Commitment-Phobic
Not ready to drop $$$? Try these half-measures (because adulting is hard):
- Reglaze the Tub ($300–$600):
Makes it look new-ish… until it peels like your ex’s fake personality.
- Slap on a Transfer ($50):
Faux-tile stickers from Amazon. They’re the home reno version of a Snapchat filter—fun until someone touches it.
- Shower Conversion Kit ($1k–$3k):
DIY-friendly, but warning: The instructions are written in Klingon.
5. The “I Regret Everything” Horror Stories
- DIY Disasters: My cousin Dave tried to DIY his shower. Now his bathroom doubles as an indoor pool.
- Contractor Ghosting: Hired a guy named Steve. He vanished like my will to live during tax season.
- Trend Regrets: Splurged on a “vintage copper” showerhead. It turned green. Now my shower looks like the Statue of Liberty’s armpit.
Conclusion
A tub-to-shower conversion is worth it if:
- You’re over climbing into a tub like it’s American Ninja Warrior.
- You’ve accepted that “adult money” means spending $10k to avoid back pain.
- You’re okay with your savings account giving you the silent treatment.
If not? Buy a non-slip mat, light a candle, and pretend your tub is “retro charm.”