Walk-in shower vs shower over bath?

blueberry28

We are buying a 1-bed flat which we intend to do up and sell on in a couple of years. The bathroom is a very small space (approx 1.5x2.5m) which needs a total overhaul. It currently includes a bath with a shower over it. Our options are:

1. Put in a walk-in shower rather than a bath, for the 'wow' factor (and considering that a 1-bed flat doesn't need to appeal to the family market who like baths for children).
2. Put in a bath with a shower over it, to try to appeal to people who like both baths and showers (potentially wider appeal but with less wow factor).

What do you think - would you be put off buying a 1-bed flat without a bath, or would a great shower more than compensate for that?

Snuggles

blueberry28 wrote: »

We are buying a 1-bed flat which we intend to do up and sell on in a couple of years. The bathroom is a very small space (approx 1.5x2.5m) which needs a total overhaul. It currently includes a bath with a shower over it. Our options are:

1. Put in a walk-in shower rather than a bath, for the 'wow' factor (and considering that a 1-bed flat doesn't need to appeal to the family market who like baths for children).
2. Put in a bath with a shower over it, to try to appeal to people who like both baths and showers (potentially wider appeal but with less wow factor).

What do you think - would you be put off buying a 1-bed flat without a bath, or would a great shower more than compensate for that?

Option 1, definitely. I would much rather have a great shower, and I would guess that the majority of people who would be in the market for a 1 bed flat would think the same. It's not as though it will appeal to those with young children who would want a bath.

planetclaire70

I am most definitely a shower rather than a bath person, but I would be put off buying a flat without a bath for the very same reason - I would worry about selling it on at a later date. Many people (especially women) love baths, so why eliminate half your future buyers' market when you can have the best of both worlds by installing a bath with a shower over it?

Yorkie1

I tend to agree with planetclaire70 :-)

phill99

I agree with Yorkie and Planetclaire.

I agree that the bath isn't absolutely necessary as it would be with a family house. However, while most people shower, many people like the option of a real long soak (myself included, as do most females I know).

The wow factor is important, but you can still have the wow factor with a bath with shower over it. The wow factor can come from good quality well installed tiling, quality taps and modern sanitaryware and managing the detail.

1.5 x 2.5m isn't as small as you think. Its an average sized bathroom and much can be done with it.

eilidh_s

Personally I love a bath, and I love a shower, but I hate showers over baths and if I had to chose between a bath and a shower it would b an awesome walk in shower every time and I would go to my parents house if I wanted a bath!!

dander

Suspect this is one of those things where half of us will say one thing and half the other and you'll be no nearer a decision!

I'm going to come down on the bath side. I usually shower, but I like having the option of a bath - far better for when you're feeling ill or tired.
It might sound a bit odd, but a brand new, all-bells-and-whistles shower would put me off more than an old tatty bathroom. I'd think "It's not what I'd want, but I'm paying top price to get it so I won't be able to replace it" rather than "that's ok, I can change it to suit me".

globetraveller

bath. We did actually buy our first flat which only had a shower and, although I like a shower, I did miss relaxing a bath when I came home stressed from work!

blueberry28

Thanks all for the replies - no clear bias either way has emerged but I was kind of expecting that having already asked around family, colleagues etc! Dander, that's an interesting point about a brand-new bathroom that's not what you want being more off-putting to a potential buyer than an old tatty one that's not what you want.

I have been looking at 'shower baths' which are P-shaped so you get a bit of extra room when showering without losing out on the bath option - think that may be the appropriate middle way!

globetraveller

I think that is a great compromise

Doozergirl

You can L shaped shower baths as well which are more modern and look really nice and you can definitely get a wow factor from it, as said above, with good tiling and fittings to match.

I moved with H into his 1 bed with a shower. It was fine but it wouldn't have been my choice. There was no room for a bath.

When we sold it, it did sell in the first day (back in the heady, heady days of a distinct boom) but those that didn't buy cited the lack of a bath. I think a showerbath is the best option because you aren't alienating anyone. If your plan is to sell then your plan should be to design a house which is as inclusive a possible to appeal to the widest section of people.