small bathroom: 1/2 or full ?

11 years ago

I have a small bathroom to remodel. It is the downstairs bathroom in a 3 bedroom/2 bath house.
It is between the kitchen and the guest bedroom. Expanding the footprint is not in the budget. The footprint is approximately 5'x5.5'. It currently has a bathtub, toilet, sink. It is only used as a half bath (who wants to bathe in that tub?!), This bathroom gets the most household activity of the two. The upstairs bath has a nice large shower (no tub).

I can fit a tub (60in.), much smaller sink (10"length x 21" wide), smaller toilet (27.5" length x 15.5" wide) I'm considering moving the tub to under the window; the toilet to the SW corner.
But it is tight, and awkward anyway you put a tub or shower in the room.

Do I remodel as a half bath only? First impression will be expansive, and welcoming.
How important is it to install a full bath (shower or tub)?; considering that resale is motivating the remodel.
Will going from a 3bed/2bath to a 1.5bath significantly impact my home's value?

Featured Answer

User

11 years ago

Since you have no other tub, I would replace this one with another. In resale, the bathtub is value for people with kids;)

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Comments (9)

brickln
11 years ago
It will definitely impact resale.
I'd just have it resurfaced since it's not getting much use anyway. With a rain shower head and handheld unit, you wouldn't have to move the plumbing. You might be able to get smaller fixtures and set the sink and toilet on the same wall, but the ones you have there have killer style.
Pacific Ceramic Tile thanked brickln
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Carol Johnson
11 years ago
Keep the tub (new) for resale.
Pacific Ceramic Tile thanked Carol Johnson
apple_pie_order
11 years ago
I'd keep the tub where it is. Is moving the window an option so that a shower could be added? Or putting the plumbing on the inside wall instead of the outside wall, also for shower? The toilet and sink locations are fine. A small gem of a sink, brand new tub and brand new toilet, all in white, will make a good impression on a buyer.
Pacific Ceramic Tile thanked apple_pie_order
Sandra Rubio
11 years ago
I'm a Realtor and my best advice is: to keep it as a full bath with the tub, you will impact a pool of buyers, and value.
Pacific Ceramic Tile thanked Sandra Rubio
shorothstein
11 years ago
Definitely keep the tub. We are currently looking for a new house, and would not even consider a house without a bathtub- and neither would many other people! Also it's good for you to have if you have guests stay overnight.
Pacific Ceramic Tile thanked shorothstein
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Pacific Ceramic Tile
Original Author
11 years ago
Well, Big Thanks Everyone for your advice! I feel confident in moving forward with a three-piece bathroom now. Although they are stylie-retro, the current fixtures are too large. I have found some really keen, smaller, new ones sure to delight. cheerios!
apple_pie_order
11 years ago
Please post again when you are ready to show off results.
marilynellis
11 years ago
Never remove a full bath. It will definitely degrade value of house.