Walk-In Shower vs Tub What Seattle & Bellevue Seniors Prefer in 2025

As more seniors in Seattle and Bellevue choose to age in place, one question comes up in nearly every bathroom remodel consultation: Should I replace my bathtub with a walk-in shower?

The answer depends on your lifestyle, health needs, home layout, and long-term plans but one trend is clear: walk-in showers are quickly becoming the go-to choice for safety, comfort, and ease of use.

At Evergreen Bathroom Remodelers, we’ve helped hundreds of seniors across King County create bathrooms that work beautifully for today and tomorrow. In this post, we’ll help you decide what’s right for your home whether that means a full walk-in shower, a deep soaking tub, or a smart combination of both.

Why Bathroom Safety and Comfort Matter More Than Ever for Seniors

According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults and the bathroom is one of the most common places those falls happen. Stepping over a bathtub edge, slippery tile, and low lighting can all create risks.

But safety doesn’t have to come at the cost of style or comfort. More Bellevue and Seattle homeowners are redesigning bathrooms with walk-in showers, comfort-height fixtures, and non-slip surfaces that look and feel high-end but are built with safety in mind.

Aging in place doesn’t mean compromising. It means planning ahead.

Pros and Cons of Walk-In Showers for Aging in Place

✅ Safety and Accessibility

Walk-in showers typically feature low or zero-threshold entry, making them easy to enter without lifting your legs over a tub edge. Add grab bars, shower seating, and handheld sprayers, and you’ve got a setup that reduces the chance of falls while increasing comfort and independence.

In one Bellevue remodel, we installed a curbless shower with a teak bench, linear drain, and anti-slip tile flooring. The homeowners both in their late 70s were thrilled to say goodbye to the tub they hadn’t used in years.

✅ Design Flexibility and Modern Look

Walk-in showers can be fully customized with tile, glass enclosures, recessed niches, and frameless doors. They offer a sleek, contemporary look that appeals to modern buyers and fits seamlessly into both large and small bathrooms.

They’re also easier to clean, with fewer tight corners and no need to reach over tub walls.

❌ Cost and Installation Considerations

Walk-in showers can range from $9,000 to $20,000 depending on materials and plumbing changes. If your current setup includes a tub/shower combo, converting to a shower may involve adjusting plumbing or waterproofing.

Still, for many seniors, the investment is well worth the convenience, safety, and added home appeal.

Pros and Cons of Keeping or Installing a Bathtub

✅ Therapeutic and Soaking Benefits

Some seniors love the ritual of soaking in a warm tub. Deep soaker tubs, especially walk-in tubs with a side door, offer therapeutic benefits for arthritis and muscle pain.

Walk-in tubs are also available with built-in seats, jets, and hand-held sprayers, making them more accessible than traditional tubs.

✅ Resale Value and Family Use

If your home will be sold in the future to a family with children, keeping at least one tub may help resale value. Many Bellevue homeowners opt to keep a tub in the guest or hall bath while remodeling the master suite with a walk-in shower.

❌ Space and Maintenance Issues

Tubs take up more space and are harder to maintain, especially for seniors with mobility challenges. Traditional bathtubs often go unused and can pose tripping hazards over time.

Walk-in tubs also take longer to fill and drain, which some seniors find inconvenient.

What Bellevue and Seattle Seniors Are Choosing (Real Examples)

Newcastle Couple, Ages 73 & 75
This couple opted to remove their tub completely. We installed a curbless walk-in shower with matte black grab bars, anti-slip tile, and a rainfall head. “I feel safer, and our bathroom looks better than ever,” the client said.

North Seattle Home with Grandkids
A retired teacher wanted to remodel but still needed a tub for visiting grandkids. We added a walk-in shower in the master and kept a tub in the hall bath, giving her flexibility without sacrificing safety.

How to Decide: Walk-In Shower, Tub, or Both?

Here’s how we help our clients make the call:

• Prioritize a walk-in shower if:
  ✅ You have mobility limitations
  ✅ You want a spa-like design
  ✅ You rarely use your tub
  
• Keep a tub if:
  ✅ You love soaking for relaxation
  ✅ You have grandkids who visit
  ✅ You want to preserve resale options
  

Do both if space allows this is common in master suites or larger Bellevue homes.

Plan Your Senior-Friendly Bathroom Remodel with Evergreen

Whether you’re remodeling for aging in place, preparing your home for future mobility needs, or helping a loved one live more comfortably, Evergreen Bathroom Remodelers is here to help.

With 12+ years of experience in Bellevue, Seattle, and King County, we design and build accessible bathrooms that are safe, stylish, and built to last.

📞 Call now for a free consultation or schedule your in-home design visit online.
Let’s create a bathroom that works beautifully for every stage of life.