We are rehabbing a 1500 sf house south of Dallas, TX. In remodeling the master bathroom, we have the opportunity to make the walk-in closet a bit bigger and make the bathroom a bit smaller, or to make the bathroom less crowded and the walk-in closet a bit smaller. I am curious what people think about what current buyers would prefer? And what would you personally prefer?
Contractor · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2017 · 100 posts · 49 votes
7y
Well I think that might be a loaded question haha. There will be a different opinion from just about every buyer likely. Closet space is pretty important for the master though, so depending on how small your bathroom would be could help you determine which way to go.
How about your comps? Are they noting large walk in closets in their listing, or mentioning big master baths? Do they mention either?
This is a bit of a coin flip, but reading through some recent listings could help steer you in the right direction.
Thanks for your replies. Bathroom will be 5 x 12, closet will be about 6 x 12. If we remove a wall from the closet to make an entrance into the bathroom, it would give a little more space in front of the tub, but you lose 4' or so of closet wall space. Both ways will work, but I feel like it boils down to my original question of what do more people prefer.
Rental Property Investor · Pocono Pines, PA · Member since 2018 · 153 posts · 117 votes
7y
@Timothy Crawford
From my experience in a competitive market where master bathrooms are sizable and walk-in closets are almost expected, the bathroom is the wow factor. Given that you will still have a walk-in closet to offer, the bathroom would be my choice to enlarge. Of course this is with the limited information provided and generally speaking.
Of all the houses I’ve toured, many bathrooms stick out in my mind due to the size and luxury, but I can’t recall one closet that made my jaw drop.
Thanks for your replies. Bathroom will be 5 x 12, closet will be about 6 x 12. If we remove a wall from the closet to make an entrance into the bathroom, it would give a little more space in front of the tub, but you lose 4' or so of closet wall space. Both ways will work, but I feel like it boils down to my original question of what do more people prefer.
The master closet will end up roughly 6' x 8' by enlarging the bath. That seems plenty big enough for a 1500 SF home.
Lender · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2018 · 109 posts · 108 votes
7y
@Timothy Crawford look at the rehabbed comps that sold in the last 6-12 months in that neighborhood and see what they had to offer. This might be one of those situations where you're making a mountain out of a molehill. Let the market in the neighborhood tell you what people are wanting.
For example, there's no reason to spend $3500 putting granite countertops in a kitchen when all of the rehabbed comps sold in under two weeks for asking price and only had formica counters ($1200).
Flipper/Rehabber · Westfield, NJ · Member since 2018 · 111 posts · 84 votes
7y
@timothycrawford
I actually think a bigger closet. The bathroom is going to be beautiful if it's renovated and will be a wow factor. Keep the colors light and bright and glass enclosures and it will appear bigger. Not having enough closet space for two people to use, is a major inconvenience and a deal breaker for more people than the size of the bathroom as long as its updated. Everyone is always talking about how two people can fit in the bathroom, but if it is a one vanity bathroom anyway, the answer is they'll never be in the space together. Storage is critical and I would hate to have to walk into another room to get my clothes.
I actually think a bigger closet. The bathroom is going to be beautiful if it's renovated and will be a wow factor. Keep the colors light and bright and glass enclosures and it will appear bigger. Not having enough closet space for two people to use, is a major inconvenience and a deal breaker for more people than the size of the bathroom as long as its updated. Everyone is always talking about how two people can fit in the bathroom, but if it is a one vanity bathroom anyway, the answer is they'll never be in the space together. Storage is critical and I would hate to have to walk into another room to get my clothes.
buy a dresser/wardrobe? you can solve storage problems easier than having your knees touch the tub when sitting down on a toilet.
Flipper/Rehabber · Westfield, NJ · Member since 2018 · 111 posts · 84 votes
7y
@Victor S. Depends upon the bathroom layout. Is it a tub or just shower stall. Where is the toilet in reference to the shower. Many ppl are happy to even have a master bath at all. Depending on the bedroom size an armoire could crowd the whole space, plus a dresser.
@Victor S. Depends upon the bathroom layout. Is it a tub or just shower stall. Where is the toilet in reference to the shower. Many ppl are happy to even have a master bath at all. Depending on the bedroom size an armoire could crowd the whole space, plus a dresser.
@Victor S. Depends upon the bathroom layout. Is it a tub or just shower stall. Where is the toilet in reference to the shower. Many ppl are happy to even have a master bath at all. Depending on the bedroom size an armoire could crowd the whole space, plus a dresser.
Ok, here is a drawing of the rooms I just made in home.by.me - pretty cool little website. This is with them separated. Our other option would be removing the north part of the dividing wall and letting the bathroom entrance be through the closet instead of directly from the bedroom.
Investor · Tallmadge, OH · Member since 2015 · 258 posts · 275 votes
7y
Based on that layout, I would definitely try to expand the bathroom - at least to get a larger vanity in there. Are you flexible with the plumbing fixture locations?
Flipper/Rehabber · Westfield, NJ · Member since 2018 · 111 posts · 84 votes
7y
@Timothy Crawford You mean you would close off the separate entrance to the bathroom. Then you'd open an entry way from the closet into the bathroom. So you are not reducing the size of the closet, it's just that there will be less room for storage because a door is in the way? How does that get your more bathroom size? I'm not seeing it. if all you can fit is a single vanity if you make the bathroom bigger, I don't see how that is a benefit.
@Tahra Wright You've got the idea exactly. It doesn't add square footage to the bathroom, but it makes the area in front of the tub less crowded because there's no wall there - it's open to the closet area. The pictures may be off a little bit on scale, cause when I'm actually standing in the space, it feels more crowded to me than maybe it looks in the drawing.