Splish, Splash, Say Goodbye to the Old Bath: Homeowners Opting for Big Showers, Modern Touches in Bathroom Redos

Feature image above: Gone are the massive jetted tubs of the early 2000s; today’s homeowners want spacious walk-in showers. (Photo courtesy of Southern Interiors)

 

Bathroom, restroom, washroom, lavatory, powder room — no matter what someone calls the room, it is an important part of the home that should feel like a haven. However, a bathroom can begin to show wear and tear after years of use or show its age with dated design trends.

 

The average spending on bathroom renovations in 2025 was a little more than $12,000, the Home Improvement Research Institute reported. Yes, it is an investment to do a full bathroom remodel, but Scott Lucas, owner of central Arkansas-based Scott Lucas Construction & Remodeling, said it is not a good idea to continue to put off a remodeling dream.

 

 

“It’s never going to be cheaper than it is today,” Lucas said. “Materials prices are only going to keep going up.”

 

When it comes to budgeting for the project, Lucas said he is able to get project estimates close to what the actual price will be, but he also said the recommendation is to budget an extra 15 percent just in case.

 

Occasionally, with older homes, repairs can pop up if the team discovers that plumbing or electrical work is not up to modern-day codes, which can cause a project to cost more than originally expected. Also, if clients decide they want to change something once they see it in the space, that, too, could increase the price.

 

 

Another hesitation Lucas said people may have when it comes to a bathroom renovation is how much time the project will take. He said that keeping disruption as short and minimal as possible comes down to good planning on the front end. That means having the plans for the remodel fully complete, including colors and small details, before beginning the project.

 

“We’ll have all that nailed down before we start swinging hammers,” he said.

 

“We’re not just looking to throw in the cheapest stuff,” said Travis Victory, owner of Victory Plumbing in North Little Rock. “We want to make it quality because we want it to last.”

 

Many people doing bathroom renovations seem to be focused on the same things. One of the biggest trends in the bathroom world is doing away with bathtubs and replacing them with large walk-in showers.

 

Shower remodels are getting “more and more common,” Victory said.

 

 

He attributed that to a trend from the early 2000s — the giant jet bathtubs. Those tubs have been installed for more than 20 years in many cases and require more maintenance. Instead of putting money into that, people are having them taken out and going a different route that has easier upkeep.

 

If someone does have a new tub installed as part of the remodel, many of Victory’s clients are going with free-standing models, which have a modern, sleek look to them.

 

A popular type of sink Victory sees in many of the renovations is called a vessel sink. Instead of the basin being built into the counter, it sits on top of the counter, looking like a bowl. It offers the same sleek, modern feel that many people are opting for in bathrooms these days.

 

People looking to do full remodels are opting for cabinets and solutions that offer more storage space and convenience.

 

“Houses that were built 20 to 30 years ago were just built a certain way that doesn’t offer a lot of storage,” Lucas said.

 

Renovations mean upgraded bathroom fixtures. Many of the newest sinks, showers and toilets save clients money on the water bill, being built to save water by restricting flow. However, Lucas said some of his clients do not like that.

 

“They want a lot more water pressure and hotter water,” he said.

 

Thanks to tankless water heaters, showers running cold are a thing of the past. Victory said he is installing more of those types of water heaters than ever before.

 

 

“You can take a two-hour long shower, you can take a three-hour long shower, you can take a 24-hour long shower if you want to,” he said.

 

When a homeowner decides to take the leap, it is important to work with a trusted company rather than the cheapest option. Victory warned that going solely on price could cost the owner more overall after having to pay to correct shoddy installation.

 

The right remodeling team will turn that old bathroom into the comfortable and private oasis of any homeowner’s dream in no time. However, all but the most basic renovations can quickly spin into a complicated web of materials suppliers, subcontractors and other details that can be very overwhelming.

 

One central Arkansas business, Southern Interiors, has devised a comprehensive system that allows homeowners to handle everything in one stop. The Sherwood firm provides design and fabrication under one roof and handles installation. Customers are guided by a designated company representative every step of the way.

 

“There’s no other company in Arkansas that I know of that does everything that we do,” said Brian Hagewood, who co-founded the business with his wife, Donna. “There’s not another company where the homeowner can walk into a beautiful design center, pick everything out, from the floors to the countertops to the cabinets to the custom shower pan, and then that company builds and fabricates orders in-house and installs every part of your project.”

 

The system has struck a chord with homeowners who give enthusiastically positive feedback about how the company simplifies the process while removing a lot of the stress. Hagewood said that has resulted in customer loyalty and a healthy referral business.

 

“We just keep it pretty simple,” he said. “People buy from who they trust and who they like. I’ve always told my employees that we’re not selling anything. We’re honestly here to work with people, keep them within their budget and offer them sound advice.”

 

SEE THE FEATURE BELOW AND IN OUR SEPTEMBER 2026 ISSUE OF AY MAGAZINE