When planning a bathroom renovation, most homeowners find themselves weighing up two key questions: Will I enjoy it? – Will it improve my lifestyle, comfort, or daily experience? Will it add value? – Will it enhance the appeal and resale value of my property?
If you’re investing time and money into renovating your bathroom, it makes sense that every decision should contribute to the best possible outcome. One of the most common—and most debated—questions we hear from Gold Coast homeowners is:
“Should my bathroom have a bathtub?”
In this article, we break down the practical, financial, and lifestyle considerations to help you decide whether including a bathtub is the right choice for your bathroom renovation.
Why Consider a Bathtub?
Bathtubs have been around long before modern plumbing and, from a purely functional standpoint, they’re not the most water-efficient way to wash compared to a shower. However, efficiency isn’t the only factor that matters.
A bathtub brings something a shower often can’t: a sense of luxury, relaxation, and indulgence. Freestanding tubs, built-in baths, and designer styles can become stunning focal points, instantly elevating the look and feel of a modern bathroom. For many homeowners, a bath transforms the space from purely functional to genuinely enjoyable.
Do People Still Want Bathtubs?
In short—yes.
Despite changing trends, bathtubs remain highly desirable in Australian homes. Many buyers still expect at least one bathtub, particularly in family homes. They also offer practical benefits: for families with young children, lifestyle-focused homeowners (enjoy soaking, relaxing, or unwinding at the end of the day!) and design-conscious renovators who love the visual impact and premium feel a bathtub can add.
While not essential in every bathroom, the popularity of bathtubs has certainly endured.
Key Factors to Consider Before Including a Bathtub
1. Financial Sense & Return on Investment (ROI)
Every renovation decision should make financial sense. If the cost of adding a bathtub outweighs the value it adds to your home, it may not be the right choice. That said, in many Gold Coast homes—especially family residences—a bathtub can improve market appeal and resale potential.
At Armrock Constructions, we help you assess whether including a bathtub aligns with your budget, property type, and renovation goals.
2. Bathtub vs a Well-Designed Bathroom
A bathtub is a great feature—but it should never come at the expense of good design.
A spacious, functional, and well-laid-out bathroom will always outperform a cramped bathroom that simply “has a bath.” If squeezing in a bathtub compromises movement, storage, or usability, it may be better to prioritise overall design quality. Take a look at some of our recent projects here to see the different solutions we have designed with bathtubs.
3. Does Your Existing Bathroom Already Have a Bathtub?
If your current bathroom already includes a bathtub, retaining or upgrading it is often the simplest and most practical option. The space and plumbing are already in place, making the renovation more straightforward and cost-effective.
In many cases, replacing an old tub with a modern design can dramatically improve both aesthetics and functionality.
4. Adding a Bathtub Where There Wasn’t One Before
If your existing bathroom doesn’t have a bathtub, adding one is still very possible—but it requires careful planning.
Bathrooms are rarely designed with excess space, so accommodating a bathtub may involve:
- Reworking the layout
- Removing or adjusting walls
- Combining rooms or enlarging the bathroom footprint
Our Gold Coast renovation team regularly undertakes these types of structural and layout modifications to create bathrooms that feel larger, more luxurious, and better suited to our clients’ needs. Here is a handy article discussing the design options between a gloss and a matte bathtub for your new bathroom.
5. Reusing an Existing Bathtub
Reusing an old bathtub can sometimes be considered, particularly if it’s high quality or a unique feature. However, this approach can limit design flexibility and make it harder to achieve a cohesive, modern finish.
In most cases, installing a new bathtub that aligns with your overall design vision delivers a cleaner, more polished result.
Is It Okay to Go Without a Bathtub?
Absolutely.
Many homeowners choose to remove bathtubs entirely—especially in smaller bathrooms or master ensuites—in favour of:
- Larger walk-in showers
- Improved storage
- A more open, spacious layout
A well-designed, functional bathroom without a bathtub can often be more enjoyable and practical than one that feels overcrowded. Ultimately, great design matters more than any single feature.
Finding the Right Solution for Your Bathroom
The best renovation outcomes come from balancing:
- Your lifestyle goals
- Your budget
- Your available space
- Smart design choices
- Quality construction
Whether you’re considering a luxurious freestanding bathtub, a practical family-friendly design, or a sleek shower-only layout, our team at Armrock Constructions is here to help.
We offer a free bathroom renovation consultation and quote, where we’ll assess your space, discuss your goals, and help you make confident, informed decisions for your Gold Coast bathroom renovation.
Book your free consultation today and let’s design a bathroom that truly works for you.
Existing Bath Tub
if the pre-renovation bathroom already has a bath tub, it’s easier to include a bath tub in the renovation project, and most likely a good idea to do so. Having a pre-existing bath tub means there is already sufficient space and existing plumbing in place to support a bath tub.
No Existing Bath Tub
In the absence of an existing bath tub, design and construction choices must be made to accomodate the new tub. Bathrooms aren’t typically designed with a surplus of space, but adding a bath tub where there was no tub before is certainly possible. In some of our Gold Coast renovation projects, we take out walls or merge rooms together to create more spacious areas to accomodate bath tubs or other modifications.
Re-Using an Old Tub
The option to re-use pre-existing bathroom elements (like an old bath tub) is sometimes worthy of consideration. With bath tubs, it depends on the quality and style of the tub, and how it will relate to the vision of the new bathroom. This type of approach can be inconvenient, as new elements must be included with the vision of matching the old elements.
Going without a Bath Tub
Whether your pre-renovation bathroom has a bath tub or not, you always have the option of going without a tub. This may create a better bathroom, especially if the old one was cramped or poorly designed. At the end of the day, what may be more important than having a bathtub is having a soundly designed and functional bathroom. A bath tub is just a bonus compared to this.
Finding a Way Forward
In any renovation, the best solution is a compromise between your objectives, your budget, access to materials and the skills to make it all happen. If you’re considering a bath tub for your renovation project, our team is here to help. We provide a free renovation consultation and quote – make a booking and discuss your Gold Coast bathroom renovation project: