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Original poster

Get rid of the bath???

117 replies

YouknowIknowbest · 08/08/2024 07:11

We live in a modest 3 bedroom house (me, DH, DS 17 and DD13).
For context, the house was a small starter home when DH and I moved in back in 2002 and the intention was always to move once we had a family. The financial crisis in 2007 hit us hard and we decided to stay and extend instead, which gave us an en-suite, a bigger master bedroom and a generous “box” room. We’ve toyed with moving over the years but in all honesty we’re all happy here and have no intention of moving unless we win big on the lottery so we can get a house with a pool 😂

So now we’re ready to re-decorate our main bathroom which is approximately 2m x 2.5m and DH and DS want the bath removing and replacing so it becomes a shower room as the queue for the en-suite shower is ridiculous every day.

I’d like to keep the bath, but feel it’s a selfish ask as no one else in the house uses it except me…and this is the clincher, I only use it on average 2/3 times a YEAR!

We’ve looked at L shaped baths and fancy showers over baths, but the boys would like to have this as a shower room for them and us girls keep the en-suite, so it’s a simple: Bath or Shower?

WWYD? Has anyone else got rid of their only bath and regretted it or was it the best thing you ever did?

OP posts:
Danikm151 · 08/08/2024 07:13

My friend regrets not keeping the bath.

I’ve got a shower over the bath and it’s the best of 2 worlds. Sometimes you just fancy a bath!

NigelHarmansNewWife · 08/08/2024 07:14

I'd keep the bath and have a shower over it, but what you want is what counts. Sounds as though there's no shower at all in the main bathroom at the moment, is that right?

WhatMe123 · 08/08/2024 07:15

I know it can affect selling your house again in the future 🤷🏻‍♀️ guess if that's a worry or not. Personally I'd keep one with a shower over the top as then you have the best of both worlds

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 08/08/2024 07:16

I wouldn’t buy a house without a bath. I mainly shower, but I want the choice. And as you use it, and it’s your house, you keep it!

Ihaveneedofwaternear · 08/08/2024 07:18

I would be put off a house with two bathrooms but not bath, if you're thinking of selling anytime soon. Also, what you want counts, even if you don't have loads of baths, you should still have the option when you want one. I'm sure they can slum it and shower over the bath!

WhatThenEh · 08/08/2024 07:19

This reply has been deleted

This post has been withdrawn at the request of the user.

Butterflyfern · 08/08/2024 07:19

Why don't you put a shower over the bath and swap, so they use the ensuite and you and your daughter have the main bathroom?

It seems selfish of them to want rid of a bath when it's actually used.

I assume you aren't interested in selling etc, but it'd be a negative if I was a potential buyer (not having a bath)

DisplayPurposesOnly · 08/08/2024 07:19

I can't believe you haven't already put a shower over the bath!

I'm a big believer of getting rid of baths that aren't used (I didn't use mine, I got rid) BUT you do use yours, even if it's not often. Only think about getting rid of you think you can get your baths elsewhere (holiday?).

WhatThenEh · 08/08/2024 07:21

This reply has been deleted

This post has been withdrawn at the request of the user.

chocolateisavegetable · 08/08/2024 07:21

just for a different perspective - we bought a house with no bath and it hasn’t been an issue at all. Would have been different if our kids were very young though

GreenSmithing · 08/08/2024 07:21

I don't see the disadvantage of a shower over a bath and keeping both options? Also, if your son is likely to be moving out for university in the next year or so, then he won’t be using the new bathroom very often. His preference wouldn't be the determining factor for me. He could rent a student room with an ensuite shower if he wants one.

soupfiend · 08/08/2024 07:21

Whats wrong with a shower over the bath?

I only ever shower, but I still want the odd occassional choice of a bath now and then.

isthesolution · 08/08/2024 07:23

I'd put the shower over the bath. Let the boys use the en suite and the girls use the bathroom? Then you can choose bath or shower.

It will definitely put some buyers off when you eventually sell and if you use the bath then it isn't fair to get rid of it?!

Sethera · 08/08/2024 07:23

I wouldn't buy a house without a bath.

You might use it rarely at the moment, but circumstances can change.

Mindymomo · 08/08/2024 07:26

I have a bath every day, DH and 2 adult sons always shower, we’ve only the one bathroom, so it would be a definite no from me. DH is a bathroom installer and over the past 15 years, he’s taken out more baths than fitted, just to put in bigger shower units. It doesn’t seem to have affected the price/sale of these houses.

BG2015 · 08/08/2024 07:28

I've just moved into a new house with DH,DS and his girlfriend.

We have an ensuite and they have a bath - no shower.

None of have baths so it's coming out and we're having a walk in shower put in.

This is my retirement house so we won't be selling anytime soon. It has to work for us now so I suppose you have to do what's right for your own circumstances.

BigDahliaFan · 08/08/2024 07:29

I love a bath …

but I& you only have one a few times a year put in a lovely fancy shower. On the odd occasion you fancy a bath….go to a hotel!

it does depend on how long the kids are likely to be at home….

Original poster
YouknowIknowbest · 08/08/2024 07:32

Thanks for the posts so far! The bath has an old electrical shower over but it’s knackered now so is not an option as an alternative atm.

Son won’t be moving out anytime soon, he has a full time job but is still quite immature, so we’re expecting him around for at least another 5 years!

OP posts:
Repetative · 08/08/2024 07:33

I'd keep it. We bought a house without one (plan to add one) and I really miss it. I wouldn't use mine much either but would after a long walk, for period pain ect.

Original poster
YouknowIknowbest · 08/08/2024 07:41

I’m also thinking long term, as in we might end up with grandkids anytime within the next 10 years and the option of not being able to throw them in the bath and watch them splash around makes me sad.

Love the idea of taking myself off to a (luxury) hotel every time I fancy a shower…I’ll use that as a bargaining tool for the bath to stay!!

Also to note I am outnumbered 3:1 for the bath to go, so it’s a good old family debate!

OP posts:
Original poster
YouknowIknowbest · 08/08/2024 07:43

*That should say off to a luxury hotel for a BATH

OP posts:
Mydogisagentleman · 08/08/2024 07:44

I'd take it out.
We have 2 ensuite shower rooms and a bathroom.
We have lived here for 9 years.
I've never had a bath

Sethera · 08/08/2024 07:47

If you're feeling ill, tired or have aches and pains and need a soak in the bath, the last thing you're going to want to do is faff around booking a hotel room and making sure it has a bath in it.

Itsjustmeheretoday · 08/08/2024 07:48

Keep the bath! If you're going to use it, keep it

LindaDawn · 08/08/2024 07:48

Got rid of our only bath 3 years ago so now have an en suite and bathroom with and it’s only the 2 of us. No regrets whatsoever. Last time I had a bath was 34 years ago after the birth of 2nd baby. So Hubby and I each have our own shower room effectively. No regrets whatsoever. Our neighbours and brother has done it too.