Bathtub vs. shower stall

Do you think it affects the value of the home to have just a shower stall instead of trying to cram a bathtub into a small bathroom? It would be the only bathroom in the apartment.

Re: Bathtub vs. shower stall

I have a 5x8' bathroom. Its not very big. But I would never just put a shower stall in there.

We are gutting my bathroom out... and I am putting in a soaking tub (18" high tub). It looks very classy.

Re: Bathtub vs. shower stall

Well, there are a few things I would ask before undertaking this sort of reno

1. is the apartment in an area where it is more younger people without children, if so then a small tub is prob not as attractive to those type of buyers than a shower stall

2. would you have a door or a curtain on the tub?

3. could you or someone over 5'10" actually strech their legs in the tub, if not then it is prob not so useful

4. do you want it and will you be using it for a while, then none if the above except #3 will matter

5. how long will you be without a bathroom and do you have another place to shower/ use the facilities in the interim?

Re: Bathtub vs. shower stall

Good point. It would be very difficult to bathe your kids in a bathroom that only has a shower stall and no tub.

Re: Bathtub vs. shower stall

Well, we're going to be converting our 1 bedroom apartment into a 2, which means we'll have to move the bathroom. If we cut into the hallway we can most likely fit a bathtub. If the room is more square, I don't think it'd be wide enough to even fit a spacesaver bath (it'd be about 4 1/2 long). It could be turned sideways, but then we'd have a long, skinny bathroom...and I'm just not sure if that's better than having a better proportioned bathroom with just a shower...

I'm imagining, based on the area, that the apartment would be more attractive to young professionals rather than a couple with small children, but I'm not positive.

ETA: The tub will have a shower curtain and we're going to be moving the bathroom, so we will be without any facilities no matter which we decide to do, so although a PITA, it's not really a concern. I guess we figure it comes with the territory!

Thanks for your input!

Message edited 1/17/2006 12:38:17 PM.

Re: Bathtub vs. shower stall

In our master bath we have both a shower and a seperate tub, but the tub is short so it is a pain and I only use it when I really need to, otherwise I walk down the hall to the other bathroom and use our normal size tub. To me, a short tub is not as attractive as a shower and if you are in an area where it is more professional, just having a second bedroom which could be an office for someone else I would stick with a shower. But if you have children or are planning on it, then the bathtub might be a better option.

I would get a tub where you can strech your legs in - even if it is a long thin room just put up a wall to ceiling mirror to make it look bigger.

Re: Bathtub vs. shower stall

In our last apt we had a shower stall and I didn't care for it. It was too small and a pain to shave my legs in (JMO) Personally, if you go with a stall shower I think doors are a better option because curtains can be messy and get water everywhere, whioh could cause problems if the tenants don't clean it up good.

Re: Bathtub vs. shower stall

We have a shower stall only right now because our current bathroom is tiny! I have to say it is difficult to shave your legs in. However a friend of mine recently replaced their bathtub with a large shower stall (almost as big as a tub but more square). It has a built in bench and it is wonderful!!! Since they do not have children it is perfect for them.