"Should I get rid of the bath?" is the question we hear most often at home visits. The answer is not one-size-fits-all — it depends on your Edinburgh property, who lives in it, and whether you are planning to sell. Here is the honest breakdown from 15 years of fitting both.
The Case for a Walk-in Shower
Space. In a typical Edinburgh tenement bathroom (1.5m x 2m), removing the bath and installing a walk-in shower can make the room feel twice the size. You gain floor space, natural light reaches further, and the room feels less cramped. If you have been squeezing past the bath to reach the toilet for years, you already know why this matters.
Accessibility. A walk-in shower is easier to step into than climbing over a bath edge. This is particularly relevant for older Edinburgh homeowners or anyone with mobility concerns. Level-access walk-in showers are the most accessible option — no step at all, just a gentle gradient to the drain.
Water usage. A 5-minute shower uses roughly 40 litres. A bath uses 80–100 litres. In an Edinburgh flat with a small hot water cylinder, the shower will not drain your entire tank. You will also notice the difference on your water bill.
Cleaning. No bath to scrub. A walk-in shower with wet wall panels has zero grout and can be wiped clean in seconds. If you have ever spent a Saturday afternoon attacking grout lines with a toothbrush, this alone might sell you.
Modern feel. Open, minimal, contemporary. It is what most Edinburgh homeowners under 45 are choosing right now. Walk-in showers photograph well too, which matters if you are thinking about selling.
Edinburgh-specific. In a top-floor tenement with limited water pressure, a shower (especially electric) is more practical than running a bath that takes 25 minutes to fill. We see this regularly in Marchmont, Bruntsfield and Morningside flats.
The Case for Keeping the Bath
Resale value. Estate agents in Edinburgh consistently advise keeping at least one bath in a family-sized property. If you have one bathroom and it is a 2+ bedroom flat, removing the bath may put off buyers with young children. This is not our opinion — it is what Edinburgh agents tell us repeatedly.
Families. If you have children under 7, a bath is essentially non-negotiable. Try bathing a toddler in a walk-in shower — it does not work. Bath time is a routine, not just a rinse.
Relaxation. Some people genuinely use and enjoy their bath. If you are one of them, do not let design trends talk you out of it. A bath you use every week is worth keeping.
Over-bath shower. The compromise. Keep the bath, add a shower above it. You get both. The downside: it is not as elegant as a standalone walk-in, and the shower experience is limited by the bath's width. But for many Edinburgh households, it is the practical choice.
What Edinburgh Property Type Are You In?
The right answer depends less on personal preference and more on your actual property. Here is how we advise based on what we see across Edinburgh every week.
1-bed tenement flat (Leith, Gorgie, Dalry). One bathroom, likely a small room. A walk-in shower makes sense — you are unlikely to have a family here, and space is at a premium. Estate agents will not mark down a 1-bed without a bath. Go for it.
2-bed tenement (Marchmont, Bruntsfield, Stockbridge). This is where it gets tricky. If you have one bathroom and it is in a family area, consider keeping the bath or installing a shower-bath combo. If it is primarily a flat-share or couple's property, a walk-in shower will add both space and value.
3–4 bed house or semi (Corstorphine, Morningside, Livingston). If you have two bathrooms, replace one with a walk-in shower and keep a bath in the other. Best of both worlds. This is the most common setup we install.
New build (Livingston, South Queensferry). Often already has one of each. Upgrading the en-suite to a walk-in shower is the most popular change we make in new-build properties.
The Wet Room Option
A fully tanked wet room with no tray — just a gradient floor to a drain. It is the premium walk-in option, and when done properly it looks stunning.
Wet rooms are very accessible, easy to clean, and give you the most open feel of any bathroom layout. If you want a spa-like space in an Edinburgh home, this is how you get it.
Edinburgh-specific caution: in tenements with timber floors, the tanking and gradient work needs careful attention to prevent leaks to the flat below. We reinforce the floor and use marine-grade tanking. It is a more complex install than a standard shower tray — reflected in the price (our Luxury package). Not every property is suitable for a wet room, and we will tell you honestly at the home visit if yours is or is not.
Cost Comparison in Edinburgh
All of our packages include wet wall panels, LVT flooring, LED mirror, all fixtures, professional fitting, and rubbish removal. No hidden extras.
- Over-bath shower: included in our Starter package from £3,699
- Walk-in shower with tray: included in our Premium package from £5,499
- Full wet room (no tray, tanked floor): our Luxury package from £7,995
0% finance is available on all packages from £67/month with no deposit required. See full pricing details.
Our Honest Recommendation
After 15 years of fitting bathrooms across Edinburgh, here is what we would tell you if you were sitting in your own kitchen asking us this question:
- If it is your only bathroom and a family property: keep a bath or install a shower-bath combo.
- If it is a 1-bed or studio: walk-in shower, no question.
- If you have two bathrooms: walk-in shower in the en-suite, bath in the family bathroom.
- If you are over 60 or have mobility concerns: walk-in shower with grab rails and a fold-down seat.
We will discuss your specific situation at the free home visit and give you an honest recommendation — even if that means telling you to keep your bath.
Call 0131 357 3869 to book your free home design visit, or request a quote online.