I think having a bath that is reasonably accessible for your guests and can stay nice is a really nice to have. I don't have a true "half" bath, but segregated the guest bath in such a manner that there is a toilet and sink in one "room" and then another sink and a shower in another - where a guest could store their "toiletries" / mess and the half bath area could remain "public". So quick answer, "it depends"....

If the house is more than 1 story, it's not just a faux paux, but a huge mistake for any eventual resale to not include a 1/2 bath on the main level for guests and day to day living. Even most multiple story starter homes that are built today have a 1/2 bath on the main level and have for decades. I can't recall the last time I saw a multiple story house plan without one.

It depends on the neighborhood you're in too. For example many of the homes built in Florida only have 2 full baths because they're built for retirees who don't need more

In my area, it's not necessary but that size of house is borderline where it would become expected. For me in a new build it would be a necessary. We casually entertain - alot. Kids go to bed around 8 so I don't want guests traipsing back near the kids bedrooms. Nor do I want guests to have to see their toothbrushes, bath toys etc. Plus to DLM's point, I want a half bath easy accessible to outside (for potential pool parties) and near the garage/back entry so my mud-loving spouse and kids don't have to cross the house to use the restroom. If I did not have kids nor ever planned any and did not live on a farm, that would change my outlook. If I were purchasing a home and not building, it wouldn't be a deal breaker per say but I think purchasing and building are 2 different animals. If you post plans or concept sketches we may have more solid opinions and advice.

Its certainly not a faux pas; its just one of many design tradeoffs that depend greatly on your lifestyle and the design of your house.

You haven't told us much about the house but if it has a basement, you could design a space for a half bath but make it an additional closet. Then it wouldn't lower your resale value more than the cost add it. If its a slab on grade, the decision is more difficult.

I added a half bath to a house just before I sold it and the new owner tore it out.

I renovated a unit in a row of 8 townhouses and removed the half bath from he ground floor. My client's comment was, "if they won't go up a flight of stairs to use the bathroom, they don't really need to go." The builder liked the design so much he copied it in the next set of 8 townhouses.

I have a 2 story. Full bath on each floor. I cut the "powder room" (is that the same thing?) when we cut a few things to keep in budget.

Will it cause homebuyers to swoon, fan themselves, or get the dry heaves when the time comes to sell? Maybe. But this is a second/vacation and retirement home area. So maybe someone will appreciate one less toilet to clean.

Do I miss it? Not really.

If it's a one story house you need to think what's good for your family and lifestyle..we for example did add powder room in our new smaller(1875 sq f) one story, knowing we potentially build it for 5 people 3 generations to share (and thus kicked me off to the garage with my laundry lol)

Two story..yes, it'd be very very nice to have something bathroom-y on the main floor.

My sis lived in an old Victorian in Boston..nothing on the main floor. We slept in the family room(main floor) when visited

now the stairs are these 1905' stairs..steep and narrow and whatnot..taking them up and down in the night to go to the bathroom..not fun at all

now they bought another Victorian..1901..OK, we haven't visited yet but I do hope the situation with baths is different because time goes by and what I didn't like doing before I'm plainly afraid of doing now..climbing these stairs for one thing

I love my sister dearly but I'd have to stay in a hotel (which is not something we do in our family because people take offence, and also staying together is more fun)

But we already talked..she knows if I come I don't mind where she puts me/us as long as I don't have to climb steps at night.

All that long not so interesting story is to say: weigh and consider your and your family's needs and take into account they might change.

Resale is less important in one story house or so I feel.

It is very important to have a 1/2 bath on the first floor if all the bedrooms are on the second. I've lived in two houses that didn't and it became a problem as my father aged and visited us.

Ideally, there would be a powder room for guests only near the public rooms of the house. Most people really don't want anyone else in their bathroom -- some guests are nosey. A 2nd 1/2 bath near the garage entrance is nice as well - good for children to use or if someone is working in the yard. A toilet in the basement is also very nice to have.

As you can see, I like to have plenty of bathrooms!

I like Jannicone's solution - divide up one of your full bathrooms into a toilet room (with small sink) and a bathtub/shower room (with a larger sink).

How much would not having it possibly save you? 30sqft and a couple thousand? Basic tile for the floor, <$1000 for a basic toilet, sink, faucet, mirror, towel holder and toilet paper holder, sconce. And whatever plumbing fees.

It makes your current life easier (no having to keep the family bathrooms neat and clean for guests), and it is better for resale.

"...How important is a half-bath?..."

Depends on how many half persons one has in the family...

Ok, OK, it's a joke! As many others have said it's an important element for many families and their guests, and an asset for resale.

Potential buyers will notice its inclusion or absence, before noticing the size of other rooms. I betcha!

I have to agree with Anglophilia. We ended up with 3 1/2 baths in a home designed for basically rambler/single story living but with an added walkout basement. Two adults and two young children live in our home and we use all the bathrooms regularly. The 1/2 bath is on the main floor and is the guest bath but with it being located next to the mudroom, it is our "go to" bathroom when we are outside. Besides that, the other two bathrooms on the main floor (master and kids) are on the other side of the house and nowhere near an entrance/exit to the house.

Thank you all for your thoughts and ideas. Lots to consider. I think the 1/2 bath is necessary, my husband does not. We are building on a slab and the house is a one story, approx 2200 square feet when we finalize. You'd think a half bath would be easy to squeeze in, but in the plans we are looking at, it is not! Just doesn't go with the flow or requires extra square footage, or pushing the garage out. I am not fond of that option as the garage has to face forward due to the width of our building pad and having it sticking out even further does not appeal at all. We are building in California, so any extra square footage is quite expensive! Anyway I just wanted to get opinions from others to see if I was off base and I can see the consensus is about equal either way or "it depends". Thank you!

I live in a 2000 sq.ft ranch. It is a three bedroom three bath house. I will be remodeling to add a laundry room and half bathroom. It is missed heavily when I have guests. Also, when I am working in the main part of the house I get my steps in to go to my bathroom. Personally, if I were buying a new house, I would want a 1/2 bath. I am sure there is somewhere in your design to add it easily. Mine is going in the current mechanical room since my HVAC unit is being replaced with a mini split. The room for the half bath is 6' x 4.5'.

Good luck!

Last house, we had 5 1/2 baths, including one for the the au pair's accommodation. The lack of ensuites to serve each of the five above-grade bedrooms was a big negative for many prospects.

I was quite content with an outdoor privvy for my cottages. But just before I listed them, I put in septic and indoor plumbing for the city wusses.

You'd think a half bath would be easy to squeeze in, but in the plans we are looking at, it is not! Just doesn't go with the flow or requires extra square footage, or pushing the garage out. I am not fond of that option as the garage has to face forward due to the width of our building pad and having it sticking out even further does not appeal at all.

Then maybe this isn't the plan for you. Maybe what you should be doing is talking to an architect or person of design talent to create a home that works on your site, doesn't have the garage sticking out and creatively manages to give you what you want in the square footage you want.

We have one because I don't want guests traipsing through the Master bedroom to use the master bath since it would be the only bathroom on the main level of the house.

you bet

I really really didn't want to add a powder room because it was additional money I didn't plan on spending and also I really really didn't want to do the laundry in the garage, since the garage is my DH's domain and as such is very hard to bring to being in order. It bugs me tremendously, I can't neither work normally nor relax normally when there's chaos. I have enough chaos in my thoughts.. something's gotta give..:)

Until one day my MIL looked at me with her serious sweet blue as in forget-me-nots eyes and said " I guess I'll have to use your bathroom a lot"

I made my peace with doing the laundry wherever that very moment LOL

1/2 bath near the kitchen is a winner!

We love a powder room so much, we have 2! A formal powder off the main living room and a mudroom powder for day to day near the kitchen.

I struggled with the half bath add on in my current addition as well- did I really need 2.5 baths in a ranch style for a family of four? The kicker was the other two baths would have my greasy muddy farmer hubby crossing the house to use a washroom during the day, so I decided an extra toilet beside the mudroom would be worth cleaning compared to the amount of sweeping I'd be doing multiple times a day! Good luck deciding!

For my wife, a powder room is just below 'oxygen' on her list of must-haves. Since the master bath is the only other facility on the main floor, it was an important part of our design. I placed it near the front door (thanks, GW) so guests 'in a hurry' don't need to hunt it down. With such a tiny room, it was fun to go a bit over-the-top with decor. It's the most detailed room in the house, and one of my favorites.