Sleek and practical, walk-in showers can give a bathroom a modern, streamlined look. But if you’re planning to sell your home, replacing a bath with a shower could make the property less appealing to buyers.
Swapping out a bath for a walk-in shower could damage your house's desirability, subjecting it to a 'shower-only penalty'.
Estate agents warn it could knock up to £11,155 from your property's value and leave it sitting on the market for weeks longer.
We're clearly a nation of bath lovers: 45 per cent of prospective homeowners say having a bath is a dealbreaker, while only 19 per cent of Brits don't have one at home.
Nearly half (47 per cent) of estate agents surveyed believe not having at least one bathroom with a bathtub will reduce a home's value by 3-4 per cent, with a further 25 per cent believing the loss could be as high as 5-6 per cent.
The research comes from Drench.co.uk, which interviewed prospective homeowners and estate agents across the UK.
Liv Conlon, property and staging expert, says of the findings: 'While walk-in showers have become the "quick and convenient" choice, we’re seeing buyers lean back towards bathtubs as both a lifestyle and resale feature. A beautiful freestanding bath now feels far more Pinterest-worthy and aspirational.'
The data also found that, surprisingly, over a quarter (27 per cent) of homeowners who don't use their bath are keeping it in their property to protect its value.
Along with kitchens, bathroom upgrades are known to have a high return on investment as high-priority spaces that signal the overall upkeep of a home.
This was reflected in the recent research, with 83 per cent of estate agents suggesting that adding a bathroom will earn back installation costs, while a quarter (24 per cent) agreed installing a bath will add more value to a home than the installation cost.
But not all bathtubs are created equal, and if you are thinking about installing a new one or revamping your existing bathroom, consider investing in a freestanding tub that will elevate your space.
'We are seeing a growing demand for compact, freestanding tubs that create a luxurious focal point without requiring a massive footprint,' says Samantha Lawson, senior bathroom designer at Drench.
Treating the bathroom as a dedicated sanctuary can also help create an alluring impression for potential buyers. Rolled towels, neatly displayed toiletries and luxury accessories like a bath shelf, can allow potential buyers to visualise relaxing in the space.
'When designing with resale in mind, it’s important to prioritise zoning – in other words, ensuring the bath feels like a dedicated sanctuary, rather than an afterthought,' Samantha continues. 'This balance of style and practicality is what ultimately secures the highest valuation.'
Having said this, if you manage to install a freestanding bath and have the space for a walk-in shower — particularly a gorgeous conservatory shower — it's clear that a luxury bathroom is sure to be a real selling point for your home.
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The Bathroom Edit
