Convert bathroom to shower room?

I agree with grannysyb do whatever makes your life easier and don't worry about resale. I don't think it's such a big issue nowadays in any case, buyers will see the whole house not just the bathroom.

When we downsized I was really pleased the bathroom in our new property, although pretty small, had both a shower enclosure and a bath as grandson was a frequent visitor and bath time was the highlight of his visits. We never used the bath but as DH started having various health issues and became poorly he found the power shower was sore on his skin which was getting very thin so occupational health got us a "bath board" which enabled him to sit on the bath while I showered and washed him with one of those plastic showers fixed to the taps. We were so pleased we hadn't taken the bath out as so many people had recommended!! I would agree with those who say removal of the bath will affect the value of your family-sized house.

Doing away with a bath-tub and installing a walk-in shower has the added advantage of saving on water and the energy needed to heat the bath water. It should also show a saving in whatever charges you have for sewage and used water.

Everyone talks about the environment, so why are the British still taking baths? Most of the rest of the Western world manages to be clean with only a shower-bath in their homes, or the combination of shower and bidet.

We all need to do our bit to save the environment surely?

By the time you, or your heirs, want to sell the property, having got rid of the bath may very well be seen as a good thing.

Another point is, how many more years are you going to be fit enough to clean the tub?

We had our bathroom redone about 5 years ago and had a full length shower put in. I had got stuck in the bath and also had a fall in the bath so we had it changed so we were safer. At the same time we put in a toilet that was higher to make it easier to get up. The only problem I find now is that when we are out I now find most toilets are too low!

I had the bath taken out 2 years ago and replaced with a full length walk in shower. Had the whole bathroom redesigned at the same time so that the loo is slightly higher and is rimless and low flush to save water. Never regretted it for a second.

Thank you all for your comments. You've made up my mind. Resale value isn't the main issue, but it is something I wondered about. We don't plan to move again, having waited 22 years to finally live here - where we'd always wanted to but couldn't because of various reasons (children at school, finances, elderly parents still living in London etc.) Houses in our road do sell very quickly when they come on the market so I don't think it will be a major issue if and when the time comes. Anyway, that's my DDs problem, not mine! I'd like a shower big enough to not need a door like yours, Lucca. Less glass to clean!

Thanks again for helping me make up my mind - now to persuade DH that it's the next job on the list!!!

We had our bath removed and have a large shower with a good sized handle inside. There is room for a seat if it is ever needed.

Incidentally a neighbour, who had Parkinsons Disease, got a grant for £5k to change the bathroom into a wet room. They added £3k for things that were not covered by the grant and it is a lovely room now. There is room for the wife to help her husband and a curtain pulls round to stop the rest of the room getting too wet.

Touch wood, we have no major health issues at the moment. DH still plays tennis a couple of times a week (albeit in the over 65's group), I have thyroid problems (Hashimoto's) and a bit of high blood pressure but these are well controlled with medication and regular checks. I did have a slipped disc and horrendous sciatica in a few years ago but that was sorted out eventually (after 18 months!) with surgery. It taught me, though, how difficult and painful it could be to step in and out of the bath for a shower! Hence my forward thinking

When we had our ensuite redone and installed a large shower we were told it would be handy if a carer needed to be in the shower as well . My DH's eyes lit up at that but so far he showers alone . We still have a bath in the main bathroom which is never used now DGC are old enough to shower themselves.

We have a wet room. All on a level, no shower tray to trip over the edge of, no glass screen to keep clean (had three at our last house and hard water). Bliss!

I find it difficult to hook my leg over the side of the six year old bath for a shower in the bathroom. I have only used it twice for a bath. Luckily I also have a shower room.

I love my bath but we shower most days. But when we refurbished our small bathroom we managed to fit a walk in shower and a smaller size bath. I would hate to lose my bath. It's so relaxing.had to choose for future proofing I would install a shower. It wouldn't affect the sale of the house.

In my old house we changed the bathroom to a shower room after my late husband was diagnosed with cancer and we knew he wouldn't live 5 years. I have problems with my limbs and needed my husband to help me get into the bath to use the shower. Everyone who viewed my house loved the shower room .

I knew when I was looking for my bungalow that if it had a bath it would have go as soon as I moved in. Luckily the bungalow I choose already had walk in shower but it was rickety . Which was ok until I had the new one done.

I had an ease toilet to make it easier to get up and down as I found modern toilets to low. Also had a hand rail fitted to the wall at an angle by it. In the shower had a horizontal handle fitted opposite the door and and wall mounted folding chair fitted . It has legs and arm rests. Also made sure the shower door had handles both sides. As some shower doors have a knob on the inside and I found I couldn't open the door .

All things to think about. Don't worry about resale you need to make it usable for you now.

Floradora

Floradora??

Trisha you have to do what is right for you and not worry about the possible future sale of your house.

We took our bath out 7 years ago and have not regretted it. We are surprised at how many other people don’t have a bath in their home, it’s becoming quite common.

My mother in law had a small bathroom and the bath was replaced with a shower. When it was sold so she could move into a retirement apartment the fact that there wasn’t a bath made no difference to the value. It sold very quickly. We are in the south.

We are selling our house at the moment. It just went on the market last Wednesday. There is a walk-in shower and no bath. Absolutely no problem selling.

We’ve had 10 viewers so far with 6 bidders and 9 offers (some increased their original offer).
2 more viewers tomorrow.

Whitewavemark2

After caring for and watching mum as she aged I realised that if one is lucky enough to live to a good age then you will certainly need to old-age proof your house. That includes things like eye-level ovens, fridges etc and step in showers.

All being undertaken in our house. I’m not worried about the resale value tbh as it will either be sold for care or if our children inherit they will do very well, with or without a bath.

Exactly what we have done too, everything eye level in the kitchen apart from dishwasher. Working on raising the wine fridge from beneath worktop then we are sorted ?

I think the idea that no bath devalues a property is old fashioned, Most younger people shower rather than bathe. In an ideal world a bath and a shower would be great but I don't think having a walk in shower only would put most people off a house.

I think you should do what is right for you.

I’m pleased for you that you’ve decided to go ahead with the changes to suit you, OP.

The comments about resale value/putting off future buyers surprised me. We never have building work or renovations done unless absolutely necessary - it’s anything for a quiet life round here! But we didn’t think twice about moving in here many years ago with very young children. The conversion of the shower room back to bath and shower was easy and cheap. Even we wouldn’t have been put off by that.

I guess we might have to consider reversing the process in the not so distant future…..

You shouldn’t worry about affecting resale value if you intend to stay put, do what is best for you. As you get older a walk in shower or better still a wet room is so much easier if you have mobility issues.

Many people like a bath as well as a shower. I was advised not to get rid off my bath.

There's more than one way to kill a cat... Have a walk in bath WITH a shower. www.jtspas.co.uk/walk-in-baths-1866-c.asp