There are so many things to consider when you decide to renovate your bathroom. If you live in an older home, you may only have one full bathroom and perhaps a powder room. Deciding if you would like to have either a bathtub or shower does come into consideration. Some people only like showers but there is a lot who like to take baths also.
If you live in a home with two full bathrooms, you can have one bathroom converted to just a large walk-in shower and have the other bathroom as a combination of both free-standing bathtub or tub/shower combination. You should consider who lives in the home. Studying the layout of your home and looking at functionality, you may have room for only a shower in your bathroom. A beautiful bathroom with a walk-in shower can be a showstopper.
Convenience and functionality – shower only
If you have downsized or have older relatives with mobility problems that live with you, you might opt for a shower only whether you have two full-sized bathrooms or not.
As we age, we must consider renovating our home so that we live on the main level of the house with access to a bathroom that has no tub, just a free-standing shower.
- Walk-in showers should be able to accommodate a wheelchair.
- Add non-slip tiles and grab bars for stability.
- Add a built-in bench for safety and convenience.
- Wall niches also can accommodate bathing items in a neat and orderly way.
You might need a tub!
Some families will opt to have a home with a bathtub for their children or their pets. A national study found that 50% of people still want to have at least one tub in their home. You need to look at resale value going forward if you want to sell. Having both a tub and shower will attract more buyers to your home.
A look to the future
Making the decision to change your bathroom to have a shower only can be a bit tricky. You need to figure out how many years you plan in staying in your home and whether changing the tub to a shower only fits into your long-term plans. If you plan to sell within the next 5-10 years having a shower only can shrink the buyer pool for your home. If you plan on staying in your home for the next 10-15 years, the option is entirely up to you. If you decide to sell after that, your bathroom will probably need a remodel anyway so you can always add a bathtub back in your renovation plans!
We hope that these ideas can help you decide your next bathroom remodel. If you have any questions about what needs to be done in your home for resale, give us a quick call and we can help you with any real estate questions you may have!