Refitting bathroom without a bath

Welsh_Totster

Looking to rip out our main bathroom and refit it. Currently the set up is WC in little room of its own right next to bathroom which has bath, corner shower cubicle, basin and radiator. In front of both the door to the WC and the bathroom is a square of landing, I'd like to knock the WC into the bathroom and create the doorway where the piece of landing is to square off the bathroom.

Now then, thats the background.... we would have a decent sized room maybe about 9ftx9ft - room enough for everything really, and I've thought this through in so many ways. My initial thought was to turn what is currently the WC space into a lovely double sized shower. We are both showerers and not bathers (our last house had a fab roll top bath and in 8 years I used it 4 times). So Ive been trying to think about get a bath in there but then thought why do we need one? we wouldnt use it and it would take up space and gather dust, the only reason to have a bath would be if we were going to sell the house as its a 4 bed family house and I suspect people with kids would want a bath. We dont have kids, we only moved here a year ago and plan on staying here a long time.

So my thought then went onto having a super duper shower created with two showers in there (yes its nice to shower together!) a lovely loo and maybe double basins and vanity unit. How would that sound? What do people think about not having a bath in the house? (our other 'bathroom' is the ensuite shower room)

Would it seem odd not having a bath?

Innys

The answer to the question in your last sentence is "Yes".

You may be able to get away with only a shower in, say, a 1 bedroom/studio flat but in a four bed house??? Yes, you may find a buyer who feels the same as you, but most families will want the option to have a bath, even if they never choose to take up that option. I referred to "families" as they are most likely to be your buyers when you come to sell.

Granted, you could dispense with a bath if you plan on not moving for some time. However, you should then accept you will probably have to refit the shower room with a bath when you eventually come to sell. If you're happy to do that, fine. If not, I suggest you think long and hard before you chuck out the bath.

It may also be worth asking a local estate agent for their view as they are likely to know what current buyers are looking for. Buyers' requirements are unlikely to change much between now and when you come to sell.

Welsh_Totster

My thought is we dont plan on moving for maybe 10-15 years or more (maybe never) so my the time 10-15 years comes round we might be thinking of refitting the bathroom again anyway so could put a bath in. Alternatively we could always ensure there is enough space in there to put a bath in retrospectively if we wanted to.

McKneff

I never see the point of those double sinks,
Count up the times you have both been in the bathroom washing your face, brushing your teeth at the same time, I bet its not often.
Could you possibly still do your bathroom the way you want it but leave room for a small bath so one could be fitted if you want to move,
If i was going to buy a 4 bedroom house, i would expect at the very least the house bathroom to have a bath in it and it would put me off buying it if i had to fart about putting one in after i moved in.

Innys

If you plan to staying put for that long, you may as well design the house the way you want it.

One other proviso, though - will you both feel the same way about baths in 5 to 10 years time?

Mojisola

We redid our bathroom a while ago. None of us could remember when we last used the bath so we went for a big shower. We have no intention of moving for years. Like you, by the time we do leave, the buyers would probably want to redo the room anyway.

We're loving our shower!

Welsh_Totster

In the past 15 years I can count the number of baths Ive had on two hands, in 15 years time we will be 53 and 55 and possibly a bit rickety (who knows!) to be getting in and out of a bath. I have problems now getting in and out of one due to back probs. We just dont like bathing!

I totally see the point about needing a bath for a 4 bed family home once we decide to sell, but as I said we only moved in a year ago and have no intention of selling for a long, long time. We could ensure there is space for a bath if we wanted to retro fit at some point, there should be room for that.

Oh and as we both get up at the same time each morning to go to work and wash and brush teeth at the same time, I think double sinks would be a good thing! The sink in the ensuite is teeny and I cant wash my face in it properly, I can only brush my teeth! lol

soupdragon10

I would do what you want as you intend to stay put for the probable lifetime of the bathroom. If you need to sell in the future you can always reinstate a bath if necessary.

I do agree about the double basin though - they look very pretty but I'm very glad we put in a really nice big washbasin when we redid our bathroom as it's a much more practical option. Just wish we'd gone for a really big walk in shower instead of the standard square one.

Welsh_Totster

Thanks folks for the info, much appreciated! I think that Im swaying towards the huge walk in double shower and no bath option but knowing that theres space for a bath if ever we need to add one. Food for thought!

Slinky_Malinky

As a compromise, while refitting your bathroom and having major upheaval, could you perhaps get the plumber to run the water and waste pipes for a bath to the position where you would fit one if you decide to move in the future, but cap off the pipes under the floor. Then when the time comes fitting a bath just to help sell you house will be a fairly easy job and will not spoil your nice bathroom.

Welsh_Totster

Slinky, now that is a v good idea!