Boomers Are Saying Goodbye To This Common Bathroom Feature

About half of all people who own homes are in the boomer generation, according to NAR, so when they decide something is out in a home, it usually makes some ripples. One trend in the bathroom — bathtubs — had slowly started to gain again, but it seems like the older generation is hoping they stay down for good. There are a few different reasons why this group of homeowners is making the decision to remove bathtubs. One is simply personal choice. Some homeowners feel that can take up quite a bit of space, especially if they are stand-alone, so removing them can make a tight bathroom feel more open.

Another reason is safety. Getting into or out of tubs, especially if you're not as mobile as you used to be, isn't always easy. It can be simple to slip, or catch your foot trying to get over the lip of the tub and fall, no matter what kind you have. This leads boomers to ignore bathtubs in favor of a safer shower instead. By getting rid of them, they can make space for a more functional bathroom to fit their needs, with features like a larger, lipless shower with a bench or a seat and enough space to fully move around. This is probably why the bathroom shower upgrade that is on trend for 2026 is accessibility-focused. According to Houzz, roughly 66 percent of remodels in bathrooms have a focus on the safety of aging members, including grab bars, showers with minimal lips, and no tubs.

This trend isn't new, but it does seem to be growing. Designers and other experts have been mentioning for a few years, since about 2023 or so, that people seem to be choosing other bathroom layouts instead of ones featuring a tub of any kind. And while boomers are leading the charge, they might not be the only ones looking for alternative bathroom layouts. 

Tubs may be losing popularity with younger generations as well. Roughly a quarter of people surveyed by the Direct Line Group said that they don't have time to bathe, while around the same number reported that baths are too expensive to take a bath even just once a week, making it a pretty large waste of space. "People are adapting to new, simpler styles of living," said Pat Neal of Neal Communities when talking to Moen. "Most adults don't use a tub. They'd rather have a double vanity or more storage." Having bathtub alternatives that offer chic solutions and won't go out of style also doesn't hurt.

Also, a significant portion of Gen X (54 percent) and Millennial (27 percent) homeowners do push for a spa-like bathroom that gives them a place to escape from the stresses of daily life. A bathtub is a classic item you need to create the perfect spa-like bathroom, so there is still some desire for them. However, they are slowly losing popularity in 2026.