Homeowners are prioritising showers in their refurbishments, according to the 2023 Houzz UK Bathroom Trends Survey, from home renovation and design platform Houzz.

Project by Amy Stoddard Studio. Photography by Chris Snook

The survey of more than 400 respondents, found that almost three-quarters of homeowners upgraded their shower (74%) with more than two-thirds increasing their shower size during renovations (68%).

It revealed increases in size were substantial, as almost a third enlarged the shower by more than half of the original size (32%).

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In addition, 20% of renovating homeowners chose to remove their bath with more than four in five of those using that space for a larger shower (82%).

The most common types of shower configurations include shower/bath combinations (29%), followed closely by low level and corner designs (28% and 24%, respectively).

When it comes to shower features, rain/waterfall showerheads are the most popular (78%), with handheld showerheads and thermostatic mixers following (71% and 59%, respectively). Some homeowners are also adding features common to ageing-in-place like seats and grab bars (9% and 8%, respectively), while others opt for digital shower controls (6%).

“With major changes such as removing a bath and enlarging a shower, homeowners renovating their bathrooms are enlisting home professionals to bring bathrooms up to date and help carve out more useable space,” said Marine Sargsyan, Houzz staff economist.

“Bathrooms have always been a top room to renovate and we’re seeing that homeowners driven both by aesthetic desires and functional necessities are doubling down on their investment in these private sanctuaries.”

The median spend for bathroom projects increased by 31% to £5,250 in 2022** as homeowners made significant changes to their bathrooms.

Major upgrades include replacing plumbing, electrical or heating systems (73%), changing the layout of the bathroom (62%), reframing or moving walls (33%) and increasing the size of the bathroom (21%).

Given these substantial updates, more than four in five homeowners hired a professional to help with their bathroom project (88%) with generalist tradespeople the most popular (66%), followed by specialist bathroom fitters and designers (46% and 28%, respectively).

The survey also found people are now renovating for the long-term, rather than to sell the property, as homeowners stated they plan to stay in their home for 11 years or more.