I'm remodeling the only full bathroom in my 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath, 1700 sq ft starter house. We live in a great neighborhood with a diverse mix of older residents and young families. We're planning to stay in this house for about 5-7 more years until we consider moving after having a second child. The layout of the bathroom is a bit cramped, allowing only for a 48-inch tub/shower combo, but I'm also considering switching to a decent-sized walk-in shower. We don't take baths, but I know having a tub can be beneficial for small kids, especially since we're planning to start a family soon. I've heard that tubs are often seen as essential for resale, particularly appealing to families and older buyers. However, the small tub feels restrictive, while a walk-in shower would feel much nicer to use daily. Is it worth the hassle to fit in a tiny tub for potential future resale, or would a well-designed walk-in shower suffice? I'm curious to know what others in similar situations have done or would recommend.
8 Answers
I've had both options in different places. In my new home, I opted for two walk-in showers, and honestly, I'm done with bathtubs altogether. If you won’t be using the tub, it seems like the shower would be the better day-to-day choice for you.
I wouldn’t eliminate the tub in a house you might sell soon. You could lose out on buyers who have small kids—tubs are still appealing for families.
Ultimately, I think it's best to design spaces that work for you. The future buyers might not even care about having a tub. My child started showering at four, so we used an inflatable tub temporarily. In my case, I’m so much happier with a walk-in shower instead of a tub.
I've been seeing a lot of caution about needing tubs for resale, but honestly, I'm starting to think that's just noise. A 48-inch tub isn’t great, so I’d lean towards the shower.
That 48" tub feels really cramped and impractical. I’d suggest going with the walk-in shower and maybe getting an inflatable tub for when you have kids.
What's the size of your bathroom? It might be doable to design a space-saving tub option, like a wet room style. I'd usually suggest doing what makes you happiest, but considering your plans for kids and resale, a tub could be useful. It might be a good idea to fit one in, even if it's a bit tight.
I used to worry a lot about resale value too, but the market is crazy right now. A walk-in shower won’t hurt your sale prospects, especially given how competitive housing is. Just go for what you'll enjoy more.
For me, if you really need the extra space, go for a shower. But if you just want extra options, a tub can be practical for kids. Remember, a tub can also be useful for washing pets or larger items, which isn’t as easy in a shower pan.
I totally agree! It's about balancing your needs with future buyers. Also, there are cute inflatable tubs for kids that can fit in a shower, which could really help with space.