Ask Joshua - Does a Bathtub Add House Value?

Hi Joshua

What would you recommend to those who want to renovate their bathrooms, particularly those who are anti-bath people?

I love the idea of a wet room type of bathroom (think Japanese style bathrooms) but without a bathtub in the bathrooms, will it affect the value of the house down the road? I’m all about beautiful aesthetics and easy upkeep.

Mei - Seattle, Washington

Scandinavian bath. Image created using AI via Canva

Hi Mei,

Thank you for reaching out and asking for interior design advice on your bathtub situation. That is an excellent question and probably a more common issue than people realize. While there is no easy answer to this question, here are my thoughts and recommendations.

It’s true that many more people in the last decade are ditching tubs in favor of more luxurious and larger shower spaces, which can increase the value and attractiveness on the market. However, there will always be some people that simply can’t live without a tub; whether it is for themselves or for their kids or pets.

You first need to evaluate your home and think whether it’s a family friendly home or more meant for singles or couples. Families are most likely to want to have at least a single tub in the home. While not having a tub might not hurt your asking price, you may be limiting the number of prospective buyers interested. If you think your market is going to be singles or couples, then it’s probably safer to go with an upgraded shower or wet room experience.

Another factor to consider is real estate listings. To be considered a “full bath”, it must have a tub and shower. No matter how fancy the shower, a bath without a tub is listed as a “3/4 bath” and simply from a listing, that may be a turnoff to prospective buyers as well.

Something else to keep in mind is how long you expect to live in your home. If you’re planning on staying for more than 10 years, then do whatever is going to make you happy as you’re going to live there long enough. If you plan on selling in a shorter time frame, then it might be wise to ensure you have a tub in the home to keep it the most marketable and easy to sell.

I know this wasn’t a direct “keep the tub” or “ditch the tub” answer you might have wanted, but I hope this guidance helped you in determining what’s right for you. Good luck on your renovation!

Joshua Jones

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