Bathroom decisions - one big bathroom or two smaller ones?

[Carpetburns]

Ok, so have a strange set up in our house and I would welcome some opinions and I'm very split on what to do when it comes to replacing the bathrooms. It's a very ordinary 3 bed house but with a strange bathroom set up. Instead of having one large bathroom, the previous homeowners split it into two, making one small bathroom and a small shower room next door to one another (both with toilet and basin). Initially I wanted to knock down the wall and make one big bathroom. However, we had a surveyor out to value our house for mortgage purposes and she said that getting rid of one of the bathrooms would de-value the house. Also, it is quite handy having the two bathrooms, especially in the mornings. I should say that we do have a downstairs toilet, too. It's just quite strange having two bathrooms next to each other. I have considered repositioning the door to make an en-suite but it would not be to the master bedroom so that would also seem strange. My other concern is that if we were to push the two together, the bathroom would be really quite big for the size of the house.

WWYD?

I have attached floor plan but will upload pics if helpful. Not sure how well I've described it.

[JoJoSM2]

2 bathrooms for me anytime. But I'd make an ensuite to the master so that would involve additional work to enlarge that bedroom.

[WBWIFE]

We went with one big one as I wanted a walk in shower and a free standing bath.

I like a big space in a bathroom feels luxurious up to two small bathrooms. For me anyway

[Ikeameatballs]

I’d make the smallest an en-suite to the second bedroom and keep two separate bathrooms.

[BubblesBuddy]

My first thought was to make the small one an end suite to the bedroom but it’s not the main bedroom so that is odd. It also leaves a nasty corridor to the main bathroom that’s tucked away!

I would be torn too because neither solution is satisfactory. I love a big bathroom with a huge walk in shower, decent bath, spacious sink and good storage plus a towel warming radiator just where you need it. That can be way more appealing than crammed in en suites and a box of a main bathroom. Does two average bathrooms really look better than one luxurious super one? Not sure! However I would ask an estate agent because you don’t want to lose money but it’s you who is living there. Do you need two bathrooms? How much does it matter that an en suite is off the non main bedroom? Could it become the main bedroom? Would you be happy to live with the corridor?

[mum2015]

I would keep two bathrooms instead of a big one.

[dudsville]

I'd keep the two bathrooms. I wouldn't make the one ensuite, however if you didn't bed that 3rd bedroom you could shift the walls, make the ends bathroom a little bigger and make that one bathroom bigger and adjacent to a dressing room.

[dudsville]

I forgot you have the downstairs loo... I'd be tempted to make it back into one bug bathroom. Sorry, forget my previous vote!

[randomsabreuse]

2 bathrooms unless your boiler isn't capable of running 2 showers simultaneously.

Getting 4 people ready and out the door is much easier with 2 bathrooms, with 1 requires military planning and a strict schedule especially with teens/2 girls.

4 people, 1 bathroom (separate toilet) growing up definitely had its irritations

[YobaOljazUwaque]

I would definitely keep it as two bathrooms - massively useful with family living. And no I wouldn't coopt one to be an en suite.

The floorplan doesn't show a sink in the shower room - do you have to access the other to wash hands? That wouldn't be good.

Does the bath room have a second shower over the bathtub? Setting things up so two people can shower simultaneously would be very good.

[HeronLanyon]

Keep two. I am selling a house with this set up and feedback re the two bathrooms has been positive -

Some want to keep just as is to
Accommodate family mornings - some thought about creating big separate en suite to adjoining bathroom - some thought about removing central wall to create big single bathroom but said it wasn’t too priority. Ie it hasn’t been a negative for viewers at all.
Storage for linens towels in second bathroom invaluable.
I think you would more often regret changing to one bigger bathroom than regret not doing it.

[Carpetburns]

Thank you so much for your replies- I appreciate your feedback.

@YobaOljazUwaque
There is a tiny sink in the shower room barely big enough to wash your hands, I don't know why it isn't shown on the floor plan. And there is a shower head in the bath but not a proper shower with a door etc. I just looked at the P-shaped baths with a glass door - I think that's a great idea, esp as kids are getting older. Thanks for your input

[wowfudge]

I would just leave it as it is. Better to have a properly plumbed loo for starters. I hate en suites and think this set up is better for a family. Is there a shower over the bath?

[wowfudge]

Ah - x post re: shower over the bath.

[Carpetburns]

@HeronLanyon

Really interesting that you had a similar set-up. It didn't put us off buying this house although we did think it a bit odd. But, as you've said, it is helpful and I think we would regret getting rid of one (esp.when DH goes in there for what seems like hours every morning).

[Carpetburns]

@randomsabreuse

That is such a good point about the boiler. We've recently had a new central heating system/combi boiler. I have no idea if it is capable of running two showers- I will investigate. Maybe an electric shower in one would be an option..or are they crap?!

[Grasspigeons]

I love having two loos and it was one of the main reasons i moved!
Our combi boiker does two showers - just. I had electric in old house andcit wasxreally good, just more expensive to run

[TipseyTorvey]

Another vote here for two bathrooms. There's always someone desperate for the loo when you're in the bath or as pp says getting everyone out of the door in the morning would be so much harder with one bathroom. Now we have two bathrooms plus the downstairs loo there's never a problem any more. Also handy for guests. In my dreams I'd have a gigantic bathroom with a roll top bath and a chandelier but that's never going happen so we went with practical.

[Carpetburns]

@Grasspigeons that's good to know, thanks.

[Carpetburns]

@TipseyTorvey
I'm pretty sure I'm on your exact wavelength. I would love a big luxurious bathroom with walk in shower but I think practical wins, sadly.

[Mamia15]

We have two bathrooms and neither are en-suite - works really well for our family. Also I'm not a fan of ensuites as I find that you get the problem of being disturbed in the night by the light/fan.

[Seeingadistance]

I’m in process of changing from electric heating to gas with combi boiler. The heating engineer said he always suggest it’s a good idea to have an electric shower then if there is a problem with the boiler you still have hot water for washing.

[oreoxoreo]

I like it, it's kind of cool to have two bathrooms. Having a DC who likes taking his time in shower I would definitely leave two bathrooms!