Natwerk Designs

Two small bathrooms vs. One big Jack/Jill bathroom?

I live in a home that previously had ~1350 sq ft and two small bathrooms (5x10 main hallway, and a "master bathroom" that's really only a shower and a toilet, with a double vanity outside of the actual master bathroom). I have finished the basement (to add about 800 more sq ft) and added a full bathroom down there, so should I make the tiny bathrooms on the first floor into a big jack/jill bathroom accessible as the master and main bathroom? Doing so would also allow us to add an acceptable amount of closet space in the master. I can do all the work myself, so it's just cost of materials. I plan on selling the house in 3-5 years and didn't know if having 2 vs. 3 full baths in a house this size really mattered. It only has a one-car garage, so my target buyers would probably be more like I was... a first time home buyer with not a huge family. I would think 2 bathrooms are enough? Thanks. Details about the upstairs: Master bathroom is rarely used now anyway since it is so tiny. On the first floor there is the master, two bedrooms (currently a nursery and other is a study), a dining room, kitchen, and family room. Details about the new finished basement: Family room which also doubles as the guest bedroom (couch with a pull out bed). Maybe I should try to find a way to make the master larger and turn the hallway bath into a half bath?

Public Comments

1. From a marketing standpoint, 3 baths are always a positive and a master bath, (not shared), is what most poeple want any more.
2. I think it depends on where and how many the bedrooms are. If there's another bedroom besides the master upstairs, will the occupant of that bedroom or short-term visitors have to go downstairs to use the bathroom, or are they going to share the new master bath? Part of the point of a master bath, to me anyway, is that it's more private than the bathroom that 'everyone' uses.
3. I like the idea of the big jacknjill bath.
4. If I'm reading correctly you want to turn a master bath into a jack & jill? You'll never sell the house that way. You would never want to not have a private bath for the master. I would look at the space you have and try to figure out a way to make the master bigger and more functional as well as working with the hall bathroom. If they are sharing walls you may be able to steal some space from the hall bath...
5. If you choose to create one large bathroom, then I would not suggest an entry from the master bedroom. Ensuites should be private...that is the idea of one. This would be your decision. I personally like the idea on one large bathroom as opposed to an ensuite that is not totally enclosed (you said the vanity was not enclosed). Or...one decent sized family bath and one decent sized ensuite. Sounds like you prefer the plan of one good sized family bathroom and more closet space. You live there, and you will know if you need closet space. I can live without an ensuite if it means more closet space. A private bath is great, but enough closet space is priceless in my eyes. People are realistic. Not everyone has an ensuite so if it just does not fit...don't bother with it. I find people who have tiny ensuites are better off with none when it comes to resale as people will complain everytime it is not large enough.