Why You Should Rethink the Bathtub in Your Next Bathroom Reno

In Melbourne, we’re conditioned to think a “real” bathroom needs a bathtub.

But here’s a bold thought:

Maybe it doesn’t.

Maybe keeping the tub is doing more harm than good.

At Bluestone Build Co, we’ve helped countless homeowners rethink what their bathroom actually needs — and for many, ditching the bathtub was the smartest move they made.

🛁 The Emotional Attachment to the Bathtub

Let’s be honest. Most people keep the tub for one of these reasons:

• “What if we sell one day?”

• “The kids might use it.”

• “It just feels normal to have one.”

Fair points. But what if that same bathtub:

• Makes your layout cramped

• Cuts into your storage

• Creates more cleaning headaches

• Goes unused for 364 days of the year

Is it still worth the space?

🔍 When You Don’t Need a Bathtub

Here’s when it makes sense to skip the tub:

• You already have a bath elsewhere in the house

• You never actually use it (be honest)

• You want a larger walk-in shower

• You need more room for storage or a double vanity

• You’re planning an ensuite or a bathroom for adults only

Ditching the bath gives you more floor space, more flow, and more freedom in your design.

What You Get Instead

Swap the tub for:

• A frameless walk-in shower with niche and bench

• A double vanity with real drawer storage

• A larger laundry zone if it’s a combo room

• Open, clean floor space — especially valuable in older Melbourne homes with tight bathrooms

And if you’re still worried about resale?
One quality bathroom without a tub is fine — as long as there’s one elsewhere in the house. Buyers care more about smart design than outdated “must-haves.”

💬 What Melbourne Renovators Are Saying

“We kept the tub in our first reno and regretted it. Second time around, we ditched it and haven’t looked back.”
— Sarah, Pascoe Vale

“Removing the bath gave us space for a rainfall shower and full-width vanity. Total game changer.”
— Mike & Elise, Tarneit

Final Word

The bathtub isn’t sacred.

It’s not a rule. It’s a choice. And in many Melbourne homes, it’s the wrong one.

Let Bluestone Build Co help you design a bathroom that fits you — not just what you’re used to.

👉 Book a renovation consult and let’s talk layout that works.