Did you know that on average, Singaporeans use only about 20 litres of water for a single five-minute shower? To show you just how much we value our water, the average American uses up about 65.1 litres for an 8.2-minute shower. Meanwhile, the average 5-minute shower in the UK uses up to about 47 litres of water. Evidently, Singaporeans are very serious about water conservation.
Now, talking about water conservation, one topic that has always been a debate is whether or not a shower saves more water than a tub. As interior designers ourselves, we understand the importance of functionality when it comes to designing a bathroom. So, if you are torn between choosing a tub or a shower for your bathroom, you would want to read until the end…
What’s the difference between having a tub and a shower?
1) Space
First of all, in a country like Singapore where space is a constraint, having a tub seems like a bad call. Because even the smallest bathtub is about 60 inches long and 30 inches wide. If you own a home with a spacious bathroom, then, by all means, go for the tub. But if you don’t own a bathroom of such size and capacity, and you want to be realistic, do take note that a shower stall is only half as long.
2) Water conservation
Judging by the size of the tub, it’s fairly obvious that tubs use up more water than showers. Tubs use around 90 to 150 litres of water for one bath while showers use about 6 litres of water per minute. But this also depends on how long you usually shower. If you want to save more, you can always install a low-flow showerhead for your bathroom.
3) Safety
The tub is a great choice for when you want to bathe your little ones. But they are not a convenient choice for the elderly and the disabled, as compared to showers, because having to climb in and out can be dangerous. If safety is your number one concern, install non-slip mats and grab bars in your bathroom so that it’s safer for you and your family members to take a bath.
4) Resale value
Although you need to invest a large sum of money for a bathtub, do know that all investment leads to a higher home resale value. Having a bathtub is seen as a luxury, especially for those who enjoy long soaks and parents who wish to conveniently bathe their children. This makes it a good selling point for your property—homes with both a bathtub and a shower tend to sell more easily as compared to homes with only showers.
So, which one should you get?
As mentioned before, having a tub is seen as a luxury. While showers are perfect for quick baths, tubs are perfect for relaxing soaks. After a long day at work, sometimes all you want is to unwind and have a long relaxing bath at home. But it’s important to be realistic. How much space are you working with? Can you fit a tub in your bathroom? Or do you need to renovate your bathroom to fit one?
Well, let us let you in on a little secret—if you can’t install a tub but wish to indulge in a relaxing bath, you can always install a spa shower system with multiple fancy showerheads! Or if you have the budget, why not install a shower system as the head of your tub?
There are plenty of solutions for you out there. Before you make any purchase, be sure to review all the pros and cons, study the functions and look at the design of the products. If you look hard enough, you might just find the perfect solution!
Or you can also just take the easy route and let us figure it out for you. To get your home designed and decorated to your liking by professionals, get in touch with us now! Let us bring your dream home to life.