Buying a House-No bathtub, no problem?

13 years ago

My cousin and her young family of three are buying their first house. They are in the market for a small 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath and have narrowed it down to these two.

The first-grey house- is new construction. They love its open floor plan but it does not feature a bathtub in the master bathroom. Also, it lacks a fireplace in the living room which I think is uncommon in Michigan.

The second-green house- is a remodeled home from the 80s. It too now features an open floor plan but with the headers etc. from construction. The second has standard features-a bathtub in the master and fireplace in the living room. However the finishes need updating.

My question is this-are bathtubs no longer necessary in new homes' master bathrooms? Which would be better for resale-an older home with a tub or a new home without?

I know you have to make a lot of assumptions with so little information and I appreciate any advice!

Featured Answer

PRO

Susan Berry Design, Inc.

13 years ago

The current trend to keep construction costs down is to put a very large 2 person shower in the master bath vs. a soaking tub and a small shower. Most consumers prefer the larger shower.Many of the soaking tubs take up a lot of floor space and aren't used that often. The general idea is to have a tub somewhere in the house for a child or if someone needed a soak. The other trend is to delete fireplaces, since consumers are preferring a large flat wall for their large TV screens. 10 years ago every house had a fireplace centered in the family room wall. Mounting a TV above is annoying and trying to fit a large screen to the side usually doesn't work, so fewer new homes have fireplaces as part of the standard package. I hope this helps.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

User
13 years ago
This question comes up frequently and just did earlier today - the consensus is generally that it's fine to have no tub in the master if there is a tub elsewhere in the home.
simps214 thanked User
Jenny Youngblood
13 years ago
I think this is a lifestyle thing. People with children obviously have to have a bathtub in at least one of the baths. I think most young to middle aged professionals do not require baths as a must have in their masters any more. I know for me and many of my friends, we would rather have an amazing steam shower and bigger closet than to waste the space of a large tub.
simps214 thanked Jenny Youngblood
Related Professionals
New Orleans Interior Designers & Decorators · Waterbury Interior Designers & Decorators · Sheridan Interior Designers & Decorators · Anchorage Interior Designers & Decorators · Magog Interior Designers & Decorators · Daytona Beach Architects & Building Designers · Panama City Architects & Building Designers · College Station Architects & Building Designers · Mission Viejo Architects & Building Designers · Dover Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Waycross Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · California Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · St. Louis Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Oxford Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Winona Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
decoenthusiaste
13 years ago
Some of the vessel or trough sinks serve very well for bathing infants to toddlers, and children aren't allergic to showers - just turn on a water hose on a hot day to confirm that. It's the water in the eyes thing they have to get use to. A convenient spray attachment near the trough or vessel will get them used to that and they'll be ready to take a "grown up" shower sooner than most think. Get the house you love - with or without the tub!
simps214 thanked decoenthusiaste
Barbara Ventura
13 years ago
Get the home you love. As for bathing children, they have plastic tubs at babies r us that I place in a stand-up shower and use the shower arm to wash them. It's easier, you do not have to bend over a tub. Good luck!
simps214 thanked Barbara Ventura
simps214
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks so much for all the advice.

@sam0705 Yes, that's what I've been reading on old discussions on Houzz. Thanks for confirming!

@Jenny Youngblood Yes, I feel the same way! While I do occasionally take a bath its rare and I could do without it.

@decoenthusiaste and @Barbara Ventura Those are both very helpful suggestions! The guest bath has a tub/shower combo but I know they often bathe their baby in the master so those are good options.
simps214
Original Author
13 years ago
@Classical Home Design, Inc. by Susan Berry Thank you so much for the information on trends! It makes a lot of sense-especially the removal of fireplaces. I really appreciate it.