We tore out a perfectly good bathtub in this Newton, MA master bath — here’s why, and what went in instead.

That tub got used a few times a year and took up the best spot in the room, so we pulled it out and framed a walk-in shower right where it stood. We also removed the divider wall next to it, opening the laundry area into the bathroom — the whole space instantly felt bigger.

The part that matters most is the part you can’t see: before any tile went up, the shower got a full waterproofing layer — pan liner, cement board, membrane. Get that right and the ceiling below stays dry for a decade; skip it and it looks good for two years, then leaks and gets torn out.

On the surface: subway tile as the base, a mosaic niche for the accent, and hexagon floor tile for grip. A black-framed glass door with black fixtures, a white vanity under a marble-look top, and a round mirror pull the warm and cool tones together.

From a tub nobody used, to a shower they actually want to walk into. Your master bath — keep the tub, or go walk-in? Tell me in the comments.

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