With the popularity of walk in showers, people ask me: can I remove the only bathtub in my home? Will it hurt resale value?
It depends! Is this your forever home? (if so, you may have fewer concerns about resale value but may want to consider what your needs will be as you age). Do you live in a one bedroom condo or house? (tubs are less of a priority in homes with one bedroom, since they are less often chosen by families with kids. Plus, a spacious walk in shower can be more practical than a cramped bathtub in a smaller home).
If you are fortunate enough to have multiple bathrooms, the most current trend is a large walk-in shower for daily use in the primary bath, with bathtub in a secondary bathroom. OR, a smaller soaking tub plus a separate shower, if your space allows.
Do you need a bathtub?
One important consideration is whether you need/want a tub. Maybe you never use a bathtub, but will you or guests like one in the future? If you do intend to sell your home at some point, it’s worth considering the versatility a bathtub offers for small children, dogs, or anyone who’d like to have a soak. Maybe you’d simply like to replace your tub with a more appealing model, or find a way to fit a shorter, deeper tub (try searching ‘small soaking bathtub’) beside a walk-in shower.
Sustainability
While generally showers are considered more energy efficient and eco-friendly (as long as your showers are not epic in length and you have a water-saving shower head), there are eco friendly options for bathtubs. A shorter/deeper tub (I’ve linked an article about fitting one into a smaller bathroom) can make your water usage more efficient. As far as materials, newer stone aggregate tubs are more earth-friendly options. At the higher end, designers like Wetstyle in Canada produce beautiful tubs out of this kind of sustainable material. Traditional porcelain enameled cast iron (a technology invented in the late 19th century) is also sustainable: these tubs are possible to restore for a second use, recyclable and long lasting. While lighter, more inexpensive fiberglass and acrylic tubs gained popularity from the 1960s-2000s, these materials can include toxins and not be recyclable.
Should I remodel my bathroom to sell the house?
I wouldn’t typically recommend remodeling a bathroom with the specific goal of increasing home value prior to selling. Remodeling your bathroom for your own enjoyment is one thing, however the time, expense, and inconvenience of a bathroom remodel is considerable, and the most ROI will come when you get to enjoy it yourself. Likewise, there is no guarantee that the sales price of your home would increase enough to justify the project. That said, each situation and home is unique, so this is certainly something we can discuss in the context of your long-term plans for your home.
If you’re looking for a trusted contractor referral, someone to brainstorm with, or to discuss your plan for your home, I’m here for you! It can’t hurt to get a few perspectives before embarking on a remodeling project!
We’re all spending a lot of time at home these days—too much, most would say. Home used to be the place we gathered to eat and relax with family and friends, and to sleep, a place to recharge and get ready to go back out into the world. Now, for many of us, working and learning are also home-based activities. And even if you are an essential worker and out in the world each day, just as in pre-COVID times, the home has now become even more of a sanctuary from the outside world.
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