Removing a tub in a studio?

Hi Brownstoners, I live in a co-op studio in Kensington, and the bathroom is pretty cramped. I’m considering remodeling the bathroom, and I was wondering what would happen to the resale value of the apartment if I removed the tub, which takes up some space. It’s not an aesthetically pleasing tub, but it’s the only bathroom (and consequentially only tub) in the apartment. I realize not many people who have small children would consider a studio, so it might not be “needed.” I’d like to replace it with a more spacious shower, but maybe it’s worth it to keep? So, should it stay or should it go?

erfurt

in General Discussion 9 years and 11 months ago

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allegra.coryell | 9 years and 10 months ago

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This plan of the bathroom is actually quite a bit larger than our bathroom, the sink and toilet are closer, you could use the sink as an arm rest, and once on the toilet there is no room to move your legs towards the tub.. Everything is practically touching.

laurie11201 | 9 years and 11 months ago

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Struggling with this same question ourselves now. Planning to do a bathroom reno in the spring. 480sf Cobble Hill studio co-op with a single typical small 5x9ish bathroom. We re-tiled the walls 8 years ago, painted a few times over the years, and have replaced some hardware, but have never gutted it. The old tub is just a big space-suck as far as I am concerned. We never use it to take baths. Maybe 10x in the last 18 years – and mosts of those times were when my nice was a toddler and she’d stay with us (she’s 14 now!). And since there’s no room for a real soaking tub, I think the tub is useless. I want a modern, roomy walk-in shower. But hubby is afraid because: resale value. Honestly, we’ve been here 18 years and our mortgage is paid off and there’s little chance of us leaving anytime soon. He’s going to be 61\. I’m a bit younger, but still, do either of us really want to be stepping over a high tub ledge to take a shower every day for the rest of our lives? I say “the bathtub needs to go.” He’s not entirely convinced. Stay tuned a few more months to hear how it all turns out 🙂

janeinteriorsnyc | 9 years and 11 months ago

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Many years ago, I saw a big name nyc real estate person on a Sunday talk show. She said that everyone keeps asking over and over what they should do for resale value. Her response was that you should do exactly what you want to do to the apartment you just bought, because the next person can do the same. It made a lot of sense to me as a designer. Especially small spaces need to work really well for the person living in them and not for the next person living in them. I take out more bathtubs than I put in on my bathroom renovation ptojects. Lately, I’ve worked on multiple apts. for people in their late 60’s who are downsizing. The conversation always starts about resale value and ends up being about what they really need. A walk in shower is safer as someone gets older, than climbing over the side of the tub to get in and out. Everyone always thinks that they really want that tub for the possible one to two times per year they might take a bath, but admit that it’s so rare. I find a nice shower tiled ledge to sit on during a long hot shower to chase away aches, usually satisfies the client who feels this way. Handheld showers are nice for washing kids, pets, hair. Nothing opens up a tiny old bathroom like clear glass shower walls and a walk in shower. I’ve never had anyone tell me any thing other than they love going in there every morning. If people have 2 bathrooms, they opt to have a tub in the 2nd bath and a shower in the master bath. Here’s a recent transformation… there was a big pink bathtub in the original bathroom and a walk in shower in the renovated bathroom. I just don’t think it’s a mistake to take out the tub.

nycman | 9 years and 11 months ago

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I have taken out three tubs for clients in the last year and no one was concerned of resale because most older people don’t want to get in and out of a tub and younger people want the modern shower. I just make sure I add a shower handheld head so that people can wash a dog or out a child in a old style basin

slopegirl | 9 years and 11 months ago

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I think a nice new shower will please you and the majority of future buyers. I would not live without a bath but I think I’m a minority opinion.

neweco | 9 years and 11 months ago

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I also vote for a nice shower . Maybe something with a rainfall shower head and some jets !

DeLepp | 9 years and 11 months ago

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Go for a nice walk in shower. If you want to take a bath treat yourself to a night at the Ritz. Nice tubs require space.

daveinbedstuy | 9 years and 11 months ago

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Given that it is a studio and unlikely to be attracting a buyer with a baby, I’d go for the shower stall. I think more people prefer them over tubs and they look great when done well with a nice glass enclosure