Buzz
Bathrooms have transformed into one of the most pivotal spaces in our homes. Once a modest, functional room that people didn’t want to spend much time in, modern bathrooms are now elegant, roomy, and ever-growing in number. The typical standard is having around two bathrooms for every three bedrooms, but we're now living in the era of 'toilet inflation,' where it's not uncommon to have as many bathrooms as bedrooms or even more. Fifty years ago, a household typically had two people for every bathroom; today, the ratio is closer to one person per bathroom.
One factor contributing to this trend is the shift in home layouts. As en suite bathrooms attached to primary bedrooms became the norm, the need arose for additional bathrooms for guests or other family members. Another reason is the added value a bathroom brings to a property: While the return on investment (ROI) for adding a bathroom is just above 50%, real estate experts repeatedly emphasize that more bathrooms can lead to a higher selling price and more offers when you decide to sell your house.
However, the opposite can be true as well. While adding a second or en suite bathroom to your home typically makes sense in terms of lifestyle and ROI, there are situations where it may be more beneficial to remove a bathroom altogether.
Too many bathrooms can be a problem too
You may not have a bathroom-to-bedroom ratio of 16-to-9 like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, but it’s still possible to have too many bathrooms. While house hunters are typically pleased to see multiple bathrooms in a home, there’s a threshold where too many actually becomes a drawback rather than an asset. Every additional bathroom—be it a half-bath, spa, or a lavish suite—requires cleaning, maintenance, and can contribute to potential water damage. Even bathrooms that aren’t used often still need upkeep, and both you and potential buyers may not be thrilled about cleaning a bathroom that’s rarely used.
If your home is small, adding extra bathrooms can backfire by making the space seem even smaller. Instead of enhancing the home, it can emphasize its compact size and make rooms feel cramped. For example, a third bathroom the size of an airplane lavatory might not add much value and could even make the adjoining bedroom too tight for a queen-sized bed.
Bathrooms in odd places
If you’ve ever watched a home-hunting show, you’ve likely witnessed moments where people react negatively to bathrooms located in strange places. For instance, a bathroom situated right next to the kitchen—where guests will be using the facilities just a few feet from where cooking happens—can be a major drawback. Removing an awkwardly placed bathroom can improve the flow of the house and create a better first impression.
If you find yourself with unnecessary bathrooms, consider converting one of them into a more functional space that could improve the overall utility, comfort, and value of your home.
If you have more bathrooms than you need, you may actually increase the value of your home by turning one of them into a more useful space that boosts its utility and comfort.
For example, that small powder room near the kitchen might serve better as a pantry. In fact, a recent survey found that 80% of first-time homebuyers consider a walk-in pantry to be "essential or desirable."
A half-bath near the entrance that gets little use could be more effectively turned into a coat closet. After all, who really rushes in from outside straight to the bathroom?
If your bathroom count exceeds the number of bedrooms, consider converting one of the bathrooms into an extra bedroom. This could be a good move, as additional bedrooms tend to add more value to a home than extra bathrooms. For instance, converting a 4-3 bathroom-to-bedroom ratio to a 3-4 ratio might make more sense in terms of market appeal.
The main takeaway is simple: While it might seem counter-intuitive, removing an excess bathroom can actually improve both the enjoyment and the market value of your home in the long run.
