Tub vs. Shower: What Luxury Homeowners are Choosing in 2025
Not sure whether to choose a walk-in shower or a sculptural soaking tub? You’re not alone—and there is no easy answer. The preference between bathtubs and showers has shifted and cycled over the decades. While tub-shower combinations dominated the smaller floor plans of the 1950s onward, the 1980s saw the rise of larger homes and oversized, deluxe showers.
Today’s luxury homeowners, with multiple bathrooms and expansive floor plans, face more choices than ever, and they’re increasingly seeking wellness-centered, spa-like bathroom design. Coldwell Banker’s 2025 Trend Report reveals that spa-like bathrooms are the single-most popular wellness amenity among luxury homeowners.
A rising new trend has changed the bathroom conversation again, offering yet another dimension to luxury bathroom trends in 2025. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of all the options, and discuss what to consider when planning a luxury bathroom project.
The Elevation of Luxury Showers in 2025
Over the ages, shower spaces have evolved dramatically from utilitarian stalls to upscale retreats. Bathroom showers remain popular among luxury homeowners, and are even growing in popularity—again. According to the 2024 survey results from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), more than half of the respondents preferred showers over tubs.
In recent articles, design experts from Elle Decor, House Beautiful and Architectural Digest are noting a renewed focus on luxury shower spaces in 2025, with walk-in showers being a particularly hot design feature.
Other sought-after features of today’s bathroom shower include:
● Sensory experiences: rainfall, waterfall, steam, and mist
● Upscale finishes: marble slab, natural stone, wood, large-format or solid tile
● Sustainability and functionality: Non-toxic materials, natural materials, smart showerheads, built-in shower seats
● Seamless, open feel: Walk-in, frameless, glass-walled
● Size: The larger, the better
When designing or remodeling shower spaces, today’s luxury homeowners want a blend of elegant functionality and a resort-style retreat.
The Enduring Appeal of Luxury Bathtubs
Continuing the move toward spa-like bathroom design, tubs are incredibly popular both as a deluxe bathing experience and a design focal point. Popular characteristics of tubs in today’s luxury bathrooms include:
● Freestanding and soaking tubs
● Japanese soaking tubs
● Oval and organic-shaped
● Natural materials: stone, copper, concrete, wood
● Smart technology: temperature control, self-warming, built-in speakers
When choosing a tub, luxury homeowners tend to gravitate toward shapes, materials, and features that enhance their sanctuary space, where they can linger and unwind.
In addition to wellness-oriented characteristics, tubs also serve very practical needs, particularly for families with children. For that reason, bathrooms with tubs can appeal to a broader range of buyers and increase resale value.
The Best of Both Worlds: Enter the Wet Room Bathroom
There is a compelling reason Zillow reported a 19% increase in home listings that mention “wet rooms”—they are the latest evolution in what a luxury shower/tub combo can be.
What is a wet room?
A wet room combines both a shower and a tub in one, waterproof, glass-enclosed space within a bathroom. This is not the tub/shower combination of yesterday—a wet room is the height of luxury, a stylistic integration of tub and shower in a spa-like space.
Features and benefits of a wet room include:
● Combines minimalist design with high style
● Glass wall allows entrance of natural light
● Larger space to get design impact with natural materials
● Dedicated space for self-care and pampering
● Opportunity to include sensory elements: music, aromatherapy, steam
While wet rooms can be expansive when space allows, they are equally stunning as a luxurious, open-format solution for small spaces. Because the tub and shower are mindfully integrated into one space, the clearances typically needed around each fixture are eliminated. So, even when square footage is limited, a homeowner can luxuriate in both a soaking tub and a rainfall shower without compromising.
5 Key Considerations for Deciding Between a Tub, Shower or Wet Room
Choosing a luxury bathroom plan and deciding which way to go with a shower or tub also depends on a host of factors.
| Consideration | Factors to evaluate |
|---|---|
| Space and layout | Square footage, structural limitations and requirements, plumbing, drainage, ventilation, lighting |
| Budget and investment | Materials, installation complexity, smart tech options, budget range, finance options, long-term value |
| Family and lifestyle | Household demographics, daily usage patterns, accessibility needs |
| Maintenance | Cleaning, durability, long-term upkeep |
| Resale value | Buyer preferences, market trends, neighborhood standards, return on investment |
Personal considerations to evaluate
Some of these factors are personal and can be weighed and evaluated by homeowners before consulting with professionals about a luxury bathroom project.
Budget range, lifestyle preferences, and family “must-haves” are elements that a homeowner can assess and outline to develop a clear idea of the project scope.
For instance, a family that is looking forward to regular deep soaks and meditation might make a different project outline than one where aging-in-place accessibility is needed. Or, a family might have both of those priorities, requiring a plan that addresses both equally.
Taking time to clarify personal needs, both short- and long-term, can help guide decisions during the design process.
How professional expertise can help
Other considerations of luxury bathroom design—such as the requirements of space, layout, structure and mechanics, as well as estimates of material costs and potential resale value impact—require the experience and expertise of a trusted professional.
An expert remodeling firm can assess technical factors, home characteristics, local building codes, and regional market trends and costs to develop project options that are not only stunning, but also practical and feasible.
An experienced bathroom remodeling expert will balance a client’s individual needs alongside all other internal and external factors to deliver options and choices perfectly customized to their client’s specific situation.
Finding the Right Contractor for Your Spa-Like Bathroom Design
When selecting a remodeling firm for a bathroom project in your luxury home, look for an established expert who can confidently guide the process from start to finish.
The best firms will offer:
Full-service design and build capability
By offering in-house management of design and construction, a remodeler eliminates unexpected delays and uncertainty, providing a stress-free, seamless experience for clients.
Luxury specialization and track record
Ensure your remodeler has specific experience in high-end bathroom projects, including complex installations like wet rooms, smart technology, and premium materials. Review their project portfolio and client testimonials.
Showroom access
Choose a firm with a curated showroom where you can see, touch, and compare a wide selection of premium bathroom fixtures, materials and finishes.
Professional project management
Open communication, transparent pricing, and a clear project plan are essential to maintaining a stress-free project.
Market trend awareness
Look for a remodeler who is up-to-date on both neighborhood and national design trends and construction techniques. From timeless design to luxury 2025 bathroom trends, ask to see recent examples of their work, keeping an eye on material choices, sustainability considerations, smart technology, and efficiency.
Regional and local expertise
Select a contractor familiar with local market preferences, building codes and permit processes. This ensures a smoother process. Knowing the local market is also essential for resale value, as Kiplinger Personal Finance reports that 44% of realtors say an outdated bathroom is among the most common reasons luxury homebuyers walk away instead of making an offer.
Established reputation in the area
A contractor with a positive, longstanding reputation in your region will have established relationships with local suppliers and subcontractors.
Final Thoughts on Luxury Bathroom Trends in 2025
The lush options of today’s spa-like bathroom designs reflect the changing lifestyles and priorities of luxury homeowners in 2025.
Whether choosing an elegant walk-in steam shower, a stylish Japanese soaking tub, or a wet room bathroom, there are no wrong choices. The options simply represent different paths to creating a personal sanctuary, functional space, or both.
The “right” choice is the one that balances your personal preferences and needs with a trusted professional’s insight to achieve a luxury bathroom that serves your daily needs and contributes to your long-term plan for your home.
