Creative Garden Tub Replacement Options
Apr 09, 2026The Garden Tub is an Outdated Bathroom Design. Here’s what You Need Instead.
Once the sign of an upscale master bathroom, today the oversized garden tub is a dated design feature many homeowners are looking to get rid of. In fact, these tubs waste so much space and water (among other problematic features) that garden tub replacement is one of the most common bathroom renovations we see – especially in homes built in the 1980s and 1990s.
What is a garden tub?
A garden tub is a large, deep soaking bathtub—typically freestanding and often placed near a window to create a spa-like experience. The original idea behind a garden tub was to provide a luxurious bathing space where you could unwind while enjoying a view of your garden or outdoor scenery, which is how it earned its name.
Over time, the definition of a garden tub has evolved. By the 1990s, the term came to describe oversized, often oval or rectangular bathtubs commonly found in master bathrooms. These tubs are known for their extra depth and width, making them a popular choice for homeowners looking to add comfort and relaxation to their bathroom space.
Most installations placed these tubs in a corner or alcove with extensive tiled tub surrounds. Some garden tubs feature seating and whirlpool jets. Very large designs often include steps or ledges to allow for easier entry and exit.
How Big is an Oversized Garden Tub?
Depending on the brand and size of tub you choose, a garden tub can hold as much as 50% more water than a standard bathtub, and take up 60% more floor space in your bathroom layout.
- An oversized garden tub can hold as much as 96 gallons of water, compared to 65 gallons for an average standard bathtub.
- A 5-foot triangular garden tub can take up nearly 25 square feet of floor space in your bathroom layout, while a standard 5-foot tub take up 15 square feet or less.
Are garden Tubs outdated?
Garden tubs are considered “outdated,” more and more as the years go by. Their bulky designs don’t fit with sleeker, more modern aesthetics that current homeowners are looking for. Additionally, many Improveit customers have told us that the luxury of a big bathtub that they loved 30 years ago has become a challenge to clean and – even worse – dangerous to climb in and out of.
With all of these difficulties, a recent report from Houzz suggests that homeowners are getting rid of bathtubs in their primary bathrooms more than ever before.
Nearly a quarter of homeowners (23%) said they removed their bathtubs during part of a master bathroom remodel. This is on top of another 27% of survey respondents that had already gotten rid of their master bathtubs before the survey was taken.
This matches what we’re seeing among Improveit customers. From wasting water to wasting useful space, our research spotted 5 ways garden tubs are the most wasteful part of your home – plus 8 ideas for replacing a garden bathtub with more useful space.
How garden tub replacement Helps You Reclaim your bathroom
Not surprisingly, most homeowners that remove their bathtubs (nearly 80%) do so to enlarge their showers. As mentioned, garden tubs can take up to 25 square feet of space in your bathroom, which gives plenty of room for a luxurious shower, or even a side-by-side bathtub and shower, depending on the layout of your space.
To help you reclaim some of that space, the popular tub-to-shower conversions process lets you customize your shower size and accessories, and do away with inconvenient, outdated garden soaking tubs. Click below to see how different bathroom layouts can maximize their space.
OPTION 1: Remove a corner garden tub to make room for a second vanity
OPTION 2: Replace a tub with a walk-in shower, and remove the old shower to gain 15 square feet
OPTION 3: Reclaim floor space in a cramped bathroom
OPTION 4: Replace a small tub and small shower with a spacious walk-in shower
8 Ways to Remove Garden Tub Layouts and Use Your Space Better
Ready for a tub-to-shower conversion that lets you use your bathroom the way YOU want to? Here are eight ideas for what to do with the extra space. Get more inspiration from our Garden Tub Replacement Guide!
- Extra Floor Space
- Larger Shower
- Linen Closet
- Vanity or Makeup Table
- Dressing Area
- Bench Seating with Storage
- Laundry Area
- Pet Care Corner
FREE DOWNLOAD: Garden Tub Replacement Guide Here!
Garden Tub Replacement: Before & Afters
Tub-to-shower conversions, including garden tub replacement, are an Improveit specialty. In many instances, side-by-side bathtubs and showers are removed and replaced with a larger walk-in shower and linen closet or more floor space. Here are just a few examples:
Dated Side-by-Side Tub & Shower
In this bathroom, the outdated capsule shower was replaced with a linen closet, while the garden tub was removed in favor of a spacious new shower.
Safer Bathing, More Storage
For this project, the Youngs needed a safer bathing option. They turned their cramped shower stall into a storage space, and replaced the unused alcove tub into a shower with grab bars and a bench seat
From Outdated to Outstanding
This garden tub also featured a showerhead, but the bulky tub surround and lack of shower walls was impractical. A walk-in shower with a glass shower door and surround is a more stylish, better use of space.
Removing a Garden Tub for More Bathroom Space
Pickerington, Ohio resident Alan Lancaster worked with Improveit on a garden tub replacement in favor of a larger walk-in shower. “I’ve done all kinds of projects on my house,” Alan says. “I know you can spend money on a lot of things that won’t have that big of an impact on you. But if it’s something you use every single day, that money’s going to go a long way.”
Now Alan’s master bath (below) meets his needs every day, and features a stylish and much more modern walk-in shower.
Ready for a Garden Tub Replacement?
Starting a garden tub makeover for your bathroom is easy with Improveit! Our on-staff designers will meet with you to find a design that suits your needs and style, and our expert installers will be able to remove and replace your outdated garden tub in less than a week!
Use the form below or click here to schedule a design consultation for your garden tub replacement today!
