Tub to Shower Conversions: Are They Worth the Investment for Homeowners in Ozark and Springfield?
- Oliver Owens
- Mar 12
- 8 min read
A lot of bathroom remodel ideas start the same way.
You are standing in your bathroom, looking at the tub you barely use, and thinking, why is this thing taking up so much room?
Maybe it is the old surround. Maybe it is the high step in and out. Maybe cleaning it feels like a chore every single time. Or maybe it is just the fact that nobody in the house actually takes baths anymore, so the whole setup feels like wasted space.
That is usually when the idea of a tub to shower conversion shows up.
And honestly, it makes sense.
For a lot of homeowners in Ozark, Springfield, Nixa, Branson, and Joplin, converting an underused tub into a shower is one of the simplest ways to make a bathroom feel bigger, more practical, and more enjoyable to use every day. Ballard Renovations already positions its bathroom remodeling work around solving awkward layouts and outdated bathrooms that do not really fit a homeowner’s routine anymore.
So let’s talk about the real question.
Is a tub to shower conversion actually worth it?
In most cases, yes. But like most remodeling decisions, it depends on how you use the space, who lives in the home, and what you want the bathroom to do for you after the project is finished.
Why so many homeowners are considering this
upgrade
The biggest reason is simple.
A lot of people do not use their tub enough to justify the space it takes up.
What they do use every single day is the shower. So when the tub starts to feel like a bulky thing you step around instead of something that adds value to the room, it becomes easier to imagine something better.
There is also a broader design shift happening. Houzz found in its 2025 U.S. Bathroom Trends Study that wet rooms now make up 1 in 6 renovated bathrooms, and among homeowners choosing them, 50 percent cited better use of space while 26 percent cited increased accessibility. That does not mean every tub to shower conversion becomes a full wet room, but it does tell you where homeowner priorities are moving. People want bathrooms that are easier to use and that make better use of every square foot.
That is especially true in smaller bathrooms where every inch matters.
The everyday benefits of a tub to shower conversion
It can make the bathroom feel bigger
This is usually the first thing homeowners notice.
A shower often creates a more open visual line, especially if it uses glass instead of a bulky curtain or a heavier surround. Even when the footprint is technically similar, the room can feel less boxed in.
And when a bathroom feels less cramped, it tends to feel calmer too. That matters more than people think. You start and end your day in that room. If it feels crowded and awkward, you feel it.
It can make daily routines easier
This is the second big one.
If you are stepping over a tub wall every day and you have no real reason to keep doing it, a shower is usually just easier. It is faster, more comfortable, and often easier to clean.
This is part of why accessible bathroom design keeps gaining attention. Houzz reported that 68 percent of homeowners considered special needs in their bathroom projects, with many planning ahead for needs they expect to come up in the future.
Even if nobody in your household has mobility concerns today, many homeowners are thinking longer term now. A low threshold or curbless style shower can feel like a smart move for both today and the future.
It can help the bathroom feel more current
Let’s be honest. A lot of older tub setups date a bathroom fast.
An updated shower with better tile, better fixtures, better lighting, and better storage can completely change the look of the room. It is one of those upgrades that makes the whole bathroom feel more intentional.
And because Ballard’s bathroom remodeling messaging already leans into creating spaces that feel calm, clean, and truly usable, this kind of project fits naturally into the type of work they are already showing homeowners.
When a tub to shower conversion makes the most sense
This upgrade tends to make the most sense when:
You never use the tub
The bathroom feels cramped
The tub is difficult to step over
The shower experience is outdated or uncomfortable
You want easier cleaning
You are planning ahead for accessibility
You want the bathroom to feel more open and useful
In other words, if the tub is taking up space without really serving your life, that is usually a pretty strong sign.
When you may want to think twice
There are a few situations where you might pause before removing a tub.
If it is the only tub in the house
This is probably the biggest one.
If you have young kids, or if resale is a major concern and there is no other tub anywhere in the home, some homeowners choose to keep at least one bathtub. Not because everyone loves baths, but because having one available can still matter to certain buyers and certain families.
That does not mean you should never convert the only tub. It just means you should think through your goals honestly before making the call.
If you actually use the tub
This sounds obvious, but it matters. If the tub is part of how you relax and unwind, then replacing it just because it is trending would probably lead to regret.
The best remodel decisions solve a real problem. If the tub is not a problem, it may not need solving.
What affects the cost of a tub to shower conversion
A lot of homeowners assume this is a simple swap. Sometimes it is. Sometimes it is not.
The total cost usually depends on a few main things.
The condition behind the walls
If there has been moisture damage, soft subflooring, aging plumbing, or questionable previous work, the project can expand once things are opened up. That is normal in remodeling. Bathrooms are wet environments, and older bathrooms sometimes reveal issues you could not see before.
The type of shower you are building
A straightforward conversion with simpler wall panels or a basic tile setup will budget differently than a fully custom tiled shower with niches, a bench, premium fixtures, and custom glass.
Plumbing changes
If the drain location, valve setup, or supply lines need bigger changes, labor goes up. If the conversion stays relatively close to the existing plumbing layout, it is usually more straightforward.
Glass and tile choices
Glass can be a bigger line item than people expect. So can tile labor. Larger format tile, custom layouts, niches, and specialty finishes all influence the cost.
Accessibility upgrades
A lower entry shower, grab bar blocking behind walls, slip resistant flooring, better lighting, or a bench can all be worthwhile upgrades, but they do affect scope and cost. Still, these are often the kinds of choices people are happiest they made later. Accessibility focused upgrades are increasingly common, with Houzz reporting strong homeowner interest in special needs planning and safer bathroom features.
Design options homeowners are loving right now
This is where the project gets fun.
A tub to shower conversion does not have to mean one generic shower option. There is a lot of room to create something that fits the home and the homeowner.
Clean and simple walk in shower
This is a great fit for homeowners who want the room to feel bigger and easier to maintain. Simple tile, a clean glass enclosure, and a niche or two can go a long way.
Low threshold shower
This gives you easier entry without necessarily going fully curbless. It is one of those practical upgrades that makes the room feel more comfortable without looking clinical.
Curbless shower
Curbless showers keep growing in popularity because they look sleek and support easier access. Houzz notes that curbless and low curb solutions are increasingly part of accessibility focused bathroom design.
Shower with bench and niche storage
If comfort matters, a bench is a great addition. It makes the shower more flexible and can be especially useful for homeowners thinking about age in place design. Niche storage also keeps bottles off the floor and makes the whole shower feel more finished.
Warm, calming finishes
Bathrooms are trending toward spaces that feel more restful, not just functional. Houzz found that 36 percent of renovated bathrooms included wellness oriented features, led by upgraded lighting and spa like elements.
That means a shower conversion is not just about removing a tub. It is often about making the entire room feel more like a place you actually enjoy being in.
What about resale value
This is one of the most common questions.
And the honest answer is that it depends on the home.
If the bathroom currently feels dated, awkward, and not very useful, a well done shower conversion can absolutely make the room more appealing. A bathroom remodel in general still performs well from a value standpoint. The 2025 Cost vs. Value Report lists a Bath Remodel | Midrange national job cost of $26,138, a resale value of $20,915, and an average cost recouped of 80 percent.
That does not mean every tub to shower conversion returns a specific percentage. But it does show that well planned bathroom improvements continue to matter.
The bigger resale conversation is usually this:
If you are removing the only tub in the house, think carefully.
If the home has another tub, or the current setup clearly does not serve the likely buyer, the conversion often makes a lot of sense.
What homeowners tend to regret
Usually it is not the decision to convert. It is one of these:
Going too basic and wishing the shower felt more finished
Skipping storage and ending up with clutter again
Choosing beautiful tile without thinking about slip resistance or maintenance
Ignoring ventilation
Not planning lighting properly
Keeping a weird layout because it felt easier in the moment
This is why a good conversion project is not just about replacing one fixture with another. It is about improving how the whole bathroom works.
Why planning ahead matters more than people think
A lot of the best tub to shower conversions happen when homeowners think just a little further down the road.
Not in a scary way. In a smart way.
Would a lower entry shower make this room easier to use in five years
Should we add blocking now so grab bars can go in later
Would a built in bench be useful
Should we improve lighting while we are already here
Is this the right time to fix the ventilation too
Those are the choices that make a remodel feel wise instead of rushed.
How Ballard Renovations fits into this kind of project
This is exactly the kind of work Ballard’s bathroom remodeling approach is built for. Their service pages emphasize solving outdated tile, awkward layouts, and bathrooms that have never really worked for the homeowner’s routine. That is basically the heart of a lot of tub to shower conversion conversations.
And because Ballard also offers broader whole home remodeling, they can help homeowners think about how a bathroom upgrade fits into the bigger picture of the home, not just the one room in isolation.
Final thought
If the tub in your bathroom is taking up space, collecting dust, and making the room harder to use, then yes, a tub to shower conversion is often absolutely worth the investment.
Not because it is trendy.
Because it solves a real problem.
It can make the room feel bigger, work better, look more current, and support easier daily use for years to come. And when it is planned well, it can be one of those upgrades that makes you wonder why you waited so long.
If you are thinking about converting a tub to a shower in Ozark or Springfield, the best next step is a conversation about your actual bathroom, your goals, and whether the conversion makes sense for your home.
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