Home value is something that should always be considered when buying, selling or even simply improving a home design. Rising home value can be done through a number of ways, one of those being the inclusion of additional bathrooms. An additional bathroom will definitely raise the value of a home, but there are questions that need to be asked. For example, how many bathrooms is too many? How big should a new bathroom be? These are just some of the important questions that need to be asked when determining the ideal number of bathrooms you need to maximize home value.
Can a Home Have Too Many Bathrooms?
Of course, every home needs a certain number of bathrooms. However, just like anything else, there can always be too many. On the other hand, there may not be enough. Luckily, there are a few ways to determine how many bathrooms a home should have. Firstly, it will ultimately depend on the number of people occupying the home. In general, each bedroom should have a bathroom to match. For example, if a bedroom has two children in it, they only need one bathroom, not two. However, if you have attached bathrooms to every room, you should still have an extra bathroom for guests. It is important to note that sometimes, having the same number of bathrooms as bedrooms can diminish home value, so take that into account when determining how many bathrooms you need.
The Minimum Number of Bathrooms
On the other hand, you need to make sure your home has enough bathrooms, rather than too many. This will of course be just as important to consider. At the very bare minimum, a home absolutely needs at least one full bathroom with all of the necessary fixtures and accommodations. It is important to make sure each person is accommodated as well. Every person in the home should be able to use the bathroom comfortably and conveniently, especially when focusing on the value of the home overall.
The Ideal Amount of Bathrooms: According to Realtors
Realtors will have a general rule in terms of how many bathrooms will be the perfect amount. Most of the time, a realtor will say the perfect ratio of bedrooms to bathrooms is 1:2. This, of course, will depend on various factors that could alter the perfect amount of bathrooms. Whether it is home size, property size, number of occupants, etc., all of these factors could impact the number of bathrooms. Another major example of this will be the master bathroom. If the master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, that already accounts for basically half of the bathrooms in the home.
Another general rule that realtors will follow, is the rule that there should be one less bathroom than there are bedrooms. This will mean in a five bedroom house, there should be 4 bathrooms, including the en-suite master bathroom. However, there should always be a guest bathroom or powder room to accommodate any guests or visitors. Finally, the last rule is that there should never be more bathrooms than bedrooms. This will create an awkward imbalance in the home that can be a bit jarring.
The Location of the Home Itself
Something that will undeniably affect the value of a home is the location. As many home buyers and home owners know, the location of the home is one of the first things that potential buyers will want to know before they make any type of decision. Schools, neighborhood, taxes and various other factors will affect the overall price of the home overall. Of course, the interior of the house is important but it ultimately will not matter nearly as much if the home is in a less than attractive location.
Does the Type of Home Matter?
In short, the answer is generally yes for the most part. Different types of homes will require different types of bathrooms and need to abide by different regulations. In addition, the different types of homes will fall in different price ranges, which is definitely worth recognizing before determining how a bathroom will affect value. There are four main types of homes on the market that should be considered in this regard.
Condo
As one of the smallest types of homes available, condos will typically have the least amount of bathrooms as well. In general, a condo will have 1-2 bathrooms depending on the size. Because condos are owned by the HOA in most cases, you will need special permission to add a bathroom if you wish to go that route.
Townhome
Townhomes can come in various different sizes, but they all have the same general shape and layout. Treat a townhome like any other house in terms of how many bathrooms you should expect to have. The average townhome will have 2-4 bathrooms.
Single Family Home
A single family home is very similar to a townhome, with the only differences being layout for the most part. A single family home will typically have 3-5 bedrooms. The general rule is to have a 1:2 bathroom to bedroom ratio, so around 2-4 bathrooms will be needed.
Multi Family Home
The same rules apply to multi family homes for the most part. A multi family home will typically have 3-7 bedrooms. The general rule is to have a 1:2 bathroom to bedroom ratio, so around 2-5 bathrooms will be needed.
Focus on Your Return on the Investment
One of the most important aspects of adding a new bathroom to your home is how much you will get on the return. Other than the comfort and quality of the bathroom, this is likely the most important thing to consider if you plan on selling your home any time soon. The return on investment you get from your bathroom will ultimately depend on the overall quality, location and size of the space. Just like anything else, this will depend on other factors outside of the bathroom design itself. Before going through with your bathroom remodel, consider the points below to maximize the return on your investment.
The Size of the Bathroom Matters
In general, the size of the bathroom will be a good indicator of the value it will add to the home. Bigger bathroom will generally add more value while a smaller bathroom will still add value, just not as much. Full bathrooms vs. 3/4 and half bathrooms will definitely impact the value as well, with the same type of logic being applied. The more accommodations a bathroom has, the more value it will add to the home.
Location in the Home
Something that home buyers will always look for in a home is the location of each bathroom. Specifically, they will want to know if the master bedroom has an attached bathroom. This is something very attractive to buyers, making the value of the home increase. However, the other bathrooms are also very important as well. Each bathroom should be conveniently and easily accessible for the sake of overall comfort.
Functionality is Key
Of course, a bathroom adds very little value if it is not properly furnished with functional fixtures and accessories. Fixtures that are rusted, leaky or simply dysfunctional will cause the value of the bathroom to drop, sometimes pretty significantly. The main fixtures to note are the shower head, faucet, sink and toilet. All other fixtures and accessories are important as well, but these are generally the most important.
Why the Layout of the Home Matters
When dealing with home value, the layout is incredibly important. Aside from the bathrooms, which are very important to be placed optimally, the other rooms will need to abide by the same standards. When it comes to bathrooms specifically however, there will be a few unique things to take into account. For example, bathrooms need to be placed correctly for both convenience and accessibility. This is especially true for homes that need to comply with ADA standards, such as the inclusion of grab bars, if need be.
It is also important to make sure bathrooms are placed in relative proximity to the bedrooms. Most homes will have bathrooms adjacent to bedrooms, if not combined. This will make the layout much more friendly to the occupants as everything is designed in an ergonomic manner.
Do Powder Rooms Make a Difference?
Powder rooms are often one of the most overlooked elements of a home design. This is mainly due to the usage being less than other types of bathrooms in the home. However, it is definitely important to make sure everything is done properly, as a powder room can absolutely increase the value of your home. This is especially true for larger houses that have more space. Of course, it is still crucial to make sure you aren’t adding a powder room just for the sake of having one, as having too many bathrooms can make a home design feel somewhat awkward.
Should You Add a Bathroom to Your Home?
Adding a bathroom to a home is an intensive project that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Because of this, it is incredibly important to know if it is the best idea for your home. If you find your home has any of the problems detailed in this article, it might be a good idea for you to consider an addition at the very least. Increasing home value is an important consideration for homeowners, and adding a new bathroom could be one of the best ways to do so.