You will never get back the extra 10K it costs over a standard 20K 3 piece hall bath. You better use it a LOT to justify its existence.

Hello Simmer,

Steam showers are getting more prevalent in use these days for many reasons, especially health wise. If you are going to use it on a frequent basis I believe its worth the expenditure in funds. I use mine frequently and after a hard day of work it is a very relaxing welcome experience. I know of a few people who have had a secondary bathroom in their home converted into a steam shower and they enjoy it very much. If I were you I would sit down with your plumber/contractor and work out the installation details and finances involved. Houzz currently sells steam generator packages so when you have time you might want to look them over. Good luck and have a nice day.

Signed - Homemart Products

i only worry that because its on a completely different floor than the master, it will get used less by you and perceived as less valuable in the future as well. down the hall is one thing, wandering around downstairs in robe and bunny slippers seems less probable, long term.

you know you best; i know future attractiveness to another buyer as well as anybody.

Steam showers aren't really investments- you should understand that now. While future buyers may find them a nice selling point, they will not add value to your home. Chances are you will never see the money back like Sophie said.

It's not an investment. It would be something you would do solely for your own enjoyment.

I am currently remodeling and spending extra money on stuff that would NEVER be considered to be an investment since it's either being done for my own "peculiar needs" - i.e. taking out second sink in master and installing sit down vanity area or spending on more expensive stuff for aesthetic reasons - i.e. pricey tile and faucets for example.

Since it would be solely for you, are you the kind of person who would actually use a shower if it's downstairs - it's not the end of the earth. Many people shower at the gym :=)

Why don't you start showering in the downstairs bath for awhile to see whether you would actually shower downstairs. I could see some people using the steam shower - getting into a cozy robe and heading into the television room or a comfy lounge chair downstairs to relax with a glass of wine. I know it's not quite the same thing but I housesat for a friend with a hot tub outside and I would come home every night and get in even though it was downstairs and my bedroom was upstairs :-)

I would not worry about future resale. Rather will it be to use for you?

I know someone who uses their steam shower all of the time - very relaxing after her workouts. I am jealous! Likely at resale buyers won’t put the value on it SHE does but she does not care as the benefit and enjoyment is not about the financial for her.

Personally I have no problem wandering around the downstairs of my own house in a robe and bunny slippers even without a steam shower there, so that would not be a deterrent for me ;) I mean, I will willingly wander outside in the middle of winter wearing a bikini and toque if there is a backyard hot tub at end of my journey so your experience may vary...

House value is determined by location and square footage. Nice amenities may affect the speed of the sale, but not the price.

Don't kid yourself about the money you are spending. If it's a toy you want and can afford, get it. This is not an investment- which means do not incur any debt for it- or rob an actual investment of yours in order to obtain it.

Also, I think a hot tub holds way more appeal and is worth way more effort than a steam shower (maybe I am particularly lazy, but I would just shower and be done with it, rather than travel downstairs for a shower). Make sure you are that interested in one, 'cause they are pricey. I love hot tubs- steam showers are available at my club and they are just meh for me.

When we were re-doing my hall bath, I asked the contractor if we should make it a shower stall (I've got one in the master bath). He said no, families always want a place to bathe young kids, so we went back with a tub. Is the hall bath the only tub in the house? How much water/electricity does it use for one 10-minute shower. That's a long shower but if you're going to luxuriate in steam, my bet is you're not going to take a short one. I know that multiple shower heads usually require adding or greatly expanding your water heater. Is there such a requirement for the steam shower you're looking at?

I also agree with the rest of the posters. You're not going to get any kind of return on this. Ask yourself some of these questions before you buy.

Thanks to all who replied. A steam shower may be a guilty pleasure more so than an investment, but my question was if it's better in the master or guest bath...

I thought adding it downstairs is better because:

1. I'm redoing the guest bath downstairs, not the master upstairs.

2. Wouldn't the master bath (and connected bedroom) get too foggy and humid to use after a steam shower?

Interesting that @ningret and @rai-kai feel differently about using a downstairs shower.

@blazedog37, I don't have a shower there now to try.

@carolinakitchenandbath2, energy and water consumption would be same upstairs or downstairs and not replacing a tub, so no give up there.

A steam shower is like a swimming pool. It takes a good amount of money and technical expertise to do it correctly so that it doesn’t physically harm your house. Those who love it, really love it. Those who would find it an expensive nuisance to own probably dislike it. It adds zero dollar value to a home, and polarizes future buyers into yes or no camps.

If you love it, do it. Or go buy something else, like a motorcycle, or travel trailer, or a fancy crystal chandelier, or a big piece of jewelry. It's only money.

If your doing it right, consider your basement headroom, factor in shower pan buildup, strapped pitched ceiling and meeting the 2"per ft ceilng pitch. Basements can be a real challenge for steamers, but the upside is your electrical panel may already be down there. That may be the only bonus $$ :):) more than a few times ive had to "create" a drop in elevation and still end up with tight headroom. $$$$