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Original poster

How important is a bath when you're looking at new houses?

78 replies

Anonymousmummmy · 02/08/2024 15:57

Hi Everyone! We have a 2 bed house with decent sized rooms, but a very small bathroom. It currently has a bath in it with a shower over the top and it's super super cramped

I'm looking to refurb the bathroom at some point and I'm really unsure what to do; I'd ideally like to change the bath for a shower which would free up more space in there, however I'm wondering if having no bath in a house would put off buyers in the future?

I also have a toddler and we're planning on having more children in the future so not ideal but I only had a shower in my previous flat and used one of those foldable baths (it was a pretty decent size) to bathe him and it was fine.

I would like to do a loft conversion at some point to create a third bedroom but I'm not sure if I'd put an ensuite in there as it significantly increases the cost of doing the conversion.

We don't want to stay here forever - we would probably look to move at some point in the future but it wouldn't be any time super soon. I would really like everything I do to the house to make a profit for us so trying to plan carefully around these things.

Would love to know your opinions.

Thanks so much!!

OP posts:
Cheepcheepcheep · 02/08/2024 15:59

We bought a house with a walk in shower. It was a gorgeous house and I was willing to do it. But we put a bath back in within 6 months of getting the keys - it was job no 1 on our list. So as long as it’s clear there’s space for a bath, it wouldn’t be a dealbreaker, but I wouldn’t live without a bath personally - I practically meditate in ours!

fromtheshires · 02/08/2024 16:07

It makes no difference. Put a shower in and everyone wants a bath. Have no shower and everyone wants one.

You cant win. You do whats right for you. If you're looking at making a profit then you're coming at this from the wrong angle.

LindaDawn · 02/08/2024 16:15

Wouldn’t stop me buying as I haven’t had a bath in years and don’t won’t one, if people are desparate fr a bath then they can replace the shower with a bath. I would go ahead and get the shower. Lots of people only have showers these days. Enjoy your house, it’s for living in.

UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 02/08/2024 16:17

I'd be happy without a bath, none of us ever uses ours.

MalcolmTuckersSwearBox · 02/08/2024 16:17

Essential to me but tbh, I think in a 2 bed with a genuinely tiny bathroom I'd rather see a good quality shower than a bath that doesn't actually fit or means you have to have a space saving basin or loo.

MidnightPatrol · 02/08/2024 16:18

How big is the bathroom?

We have a half-size bath, which is sufficient for washing children.

LaPalmaLlama · 02/08/2024 16:20

We have a tapered bath with a decent shower over the bath as a compromise. I literally never have baths but I know some see it as NN so wasn't prepared to totally bin it off.

llamalines · 02/08/2024 16:20

When I bought my first 1 bed flat, and later, my first family home, I wouldn't even view anywhere without a bath. This was because I preferred baths, and when the DC were little I felt I needed one for them.

I have friends who feel the same way about showers.

So, yes, I'd say you're limiting your buyers if you don't have a bath (or decent shower) but not scuppering your chances entirely as many (most?) will view anyway.

If I were you I'd get a quote for adding a bath, and if you're not in a major hurry to move, put it on the market anyway. Then if it doesn't sell, add the bath if the estate agent is getting feedback that it's an issue.

Quitelikeit · 02/08/2024 16:23

Make it into an open plan wet room and you’ll be fine. Like you say there are foldable baths. Bathrooms and kitchen can sell houses!

Original poster
Anonymousmummmy · 02/08/2024 16:23

@MidnightPatrol I just went upstairs to measure😅 It's 68" x 61". The door opens inwards (I think all doors do tbf?) which again takes up loads of space in such a tiny room, and there's a big window on one of the walls right in the middle so that makes things a bit tricky too!

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 02/08/2024 16:24

I wouldn’t buy if there was nowhere to put a bath

Caspianberg · 02/08/2024 16:25

I would want a bath.
Most people in a two bed are either just adults would often want bath to relax in, especially in winter. Or with 1 child, and many find baths easier with under 5s.

My Ds has used showers fine since baby also, but I find the bath handy especially in winter when he can have leisurely bath before dinner and play with toys in there.

I wouldn’t want a three bed conversion with only one toilet either

SunOnTheRiver · 02/08/2024 16:25

I’d never buy a house without a bath

FuzzyPuffling · 02/08/2024 16:27

A bath is important to me. My feet like a soak ever so often! And when DH had cancer he couldn't get his Hickman line wet, so a bath was essential. You just never know.

TheNuthatch · 02/08/2024 16:28

I would put a bath in. Could you maybe get a smaller or shaped bath to fit better??

skippy67 · 02/08/2024 16:30

We're replacing our bath with a walk in shower. Not bothered about it possibly affecting resale. Our house was an absolute shithole when we viewed and we bought it anyway!

LightFull · 02/08/2024 16:31

We have a small bath that I used to use for the DC and a shower in the opposite corner

It's a small bathroom but shower is under stairs going to loft so there was enough room to move out that way onto the landing

LightFull · 02/08/2024 16:32

I think it's best to leave it as it is because buyers are likely to change it anyway

Our sellers redid the kitchen and we pulled it out to extend anyway so it was pointless

CormorantStrikesBack · 02/08/2024 16:33

There was no shower here when we bought it and I hate baths, still bought the house and put a shower in. There was space for one without removing the bath. Your house needs to work for you.

hiw about a Japanese bath and a shower?

ThinkingAgainAndAgain · 02/08/2024 16:34

For me, a bath is essential. It always has been. In my second year at university, I was in halls where there were no baths, just showers. Whenever I went home for the weekend, one of the first things I did was to have a bath. i find them really relaxing, and so good if I’m aching after exercising or even gardening or doing DIY or whatever.

As I’ve got older, it’s become even more important. When the children were younger, it was a big part of their bedtime routine. Even as they’ve got older, DS2 won’t have a shower, so we even need a bath when we go on holiday. I would t buy a house of any size with it one or the ability to put one in.

That said, I really do think that your own home should be whatever works best for you, where possible. And if that’s a shower and extra room, great.

Seaside3 · 02/08/2024 16:34

I like a bath at least once a week, and when my kids were little I bathed them daily in a bath. A small 2 bed house is a starter home really, so likely people with young kids who find baths easier.

In our previous tiny bathroom we installed a smaller bath, and flipped the door so it opened out. It made it feel far less cramped.

LightFull · 02/08/2024 16:35

A bath is essential for DC and the UK love their baths

I haven't had a bath for years only showers but DD loves a good long soak

JumpinJellyfish · 02/08/2024 16:36

I think with small children a bath is really so much more practical, especially if you are planning another. Mine are 6 and 3.5 and have bathed together since the younger one could sit up. They love it!

If you’re not planning on staying there long term I would save your money and leave it as is. In your next house when kids are older you can spend your savings on a new bathroom to your taste.

LaBorde · 02/08/2024 16:39

Think about it realistically- the small amount of space it saves does what? Maybe get a quote, and it will change your mind?

Leave the bath in, as it is definitely easier for children.

Plus you can hide for longer having a bath reading a book 😂

CloudPop · 02/08/2024 16:40

Middle ground. Have a nice big shower that has enough space underneath it to slot a bath back in. You can either do it yourself in a few years when you put it in the market, or make it clear to prospective buyers that it would be easy to do.

Don't have a bath if you're not going to use it. Have a lovely big shower and enjoy using the bathroom