What Is A Bath? (Find Out Now!)
When buying a home, many homeowners long for a three to four-bedroom with a few full bathrooms. However, it is common to see homes sell with half baths or ¾-bathrooms. But what is a ¼-bath, and what exactly does it contribute to your home?
Even though full bathrooms are more appealing, a ¼ -bath can actually be a nice feature. However, a ¼-bathroom is usually just a toilet (or water closet) versus a half bath with just a toilet and sink. There are pros and cons to having a ¼-bathroom as opposed to the many other options.
A ¼ -bath is a restroom with only one fixture instead of all the components of a traditional bathroom. Due to limited space, a ¼ -bath is an excellent bathroom renovation space. It can increase the value of your home as well as make it more functional.
What Is A ¼ Bath Versus A ½ Bath?
A ¼-bathroom has either a sink, shower, toilet, or bathtub, as stated before. A ¼-bath differs from a ½ -bath because there is only one fixture, while in a ½-bath, there are typically two.
Homeowners who build ¼ -bathrooms usually have a sink and mirror combination. A ¼-bath is ideal if you need more showers but don’t have the space to build a full bathroom.
But, ½-baths usually have a toilet and a sink. People also refer to ½-baths as powder rooms. A half bath is perfect for homeowners who don’t want visitors using their main bathroom.
It is ideal to have a toilet within the front entryway for guests to use while in your home. A ¼-bathroom gives your guests access to a bathroom without going through your entire home or upstairs. This feature saves you from embarrassment or the struggle of having numerous guests walking through your home.
What Is A ¼ Bath vs. A ¾ Bath And A Full Bathroom?
A ¾-bath has all three main bathroom fixtures, including a toilet, a sink, and a bathtub or shower. A ¾-bath is what most people look for in buying a home since it gives you all the amenities in one room. Additionally, ¾ -baths provide the feel of a full bathroom without taking up a lot of space.
A full bath has all the features and then some. For example, a full bath will include a toilet, sink, bathtub, and shower, plus usually an additional closet. Full bath layouts depend on style and taste; the full bathroom design is spacious and adds benefits for the homeowner.
A ¼-bathroom is not as grand as a ¾ or a full, but many homeowners do not mind the idea of it. It’s evident that a full bathroom is idealistic, but homes can have both if not all different types of bathrooms.
A ¼ Bath With Just A Sink
When it comes to shopping for your dream home, a ¼-bathroom may be an added bonus. However, if the room just has a sink, it does not qualify for a ¼-bath. A room with a sink is a simple washroom, or you can use it as a laundry room if space permits it.
With a sink, it can be a room for freshening up and rinsing clothes. Having the ability to wash clothes before you put them in the laundry can be a bonus too. This feature can make it an asset, but it is not counted as a bathroom when selling or buying a home.
It has to have a feature known for a bathroom, such as a toilet or a single shower. In other words, specific fixtures and utilities you would typically see on a floor plan as a legit bathroom.
A ¼ Bathroom With Just A Toilet
A room that has just a toilet is known as a quarter bath. Due to space limitations and functionality, it only needs about two inches of space around the toilet. This quality makes it ideal for workspaces such as a car dealership or fix-it shop.
Although having a limited area, you can maximize what is available. By using built-in toilet paper holders to hold toiletry items, you can utilize this space.
A quarter bath is an excellent way to use a small space for one purpose only. You would likely find a sink somewhere nearby but outside of the quarter bathroom for this particular set-up.
A ¼ Bathroom With Just A Shower
This is an unusual use of a ¼-bath, but it is often necessary. Many people utilize their ¼-bathroom when there are numerous people trying to shower. An extra shower could be the difference between being on time or late for work.
If you use only a shower in this space, you can also call it a ¼-bath. This factor adds an additional bathroom to your selling point and can boost your return.
Where Is A ¼ Bath Usually Located?
You often find a ¼ – bath in basements of older homes. These baths are not always in separate rooms and are often the size of a closet. If a home is advertised as having two bathrooms, sometimes one of those bathrooms is that toilet in the basement.
Many older homes utilize a closet or small space as a downstairs bathroom.
What Are The Pros Of Having A ¼ Bath?
Extra shower space is a perk and can increase your ability to sell your home. The overall market price you receive will increase, usually, with the more bathrooms listed. Although a ¼ -bath with only a toilet may seem impractical in a home, you may find space for an additional sink.
Having a ¼-bath may give you more elbow room to add an addition. Adding on may help the flow of your home and make it more convenient for living in and for your guests. As stated before, the more bathrooms, the more appealing your home, and the faster it is to sell.
What Are The Cons Of Having A ¼ Bath?
If you plan to use the home for living, it might cost additional money to add on. To add a shower, to make it a ½-bath if you can find the space, might be convenient. However, if there is no room for adding an additional sink or tub, it may be hard to sell.
The housing market can be finicky and when it comes to selling your home, every benefit can help. A ¼-bath may be a curse if it is in a difficult spot or inconvenient for future homeowners. Therefore, making your ¼-bathroom appealing may cost you more money than you care to spend.
Places In Your Home To Put A ¼ Bath
Can you fit another bathroom into your home? Most remodel contractors and homeowners will say yes.
You can squeeze a second or third bathroom into almost any house with the right space and contractor. Bath fixtures can fit into less space than most people think.
You can convert walk-in closets to powder rooms or bathrooms even without tearing down walls. If you have a large room, adding a bathroom by stealing three feet from the length can make space. Sometimes a pantry in the kitchen or garage can be spared.
A bathroom can also be put in low-ceiling areas such as under your stairs. You can tuck one into the attic but allow six feet and six inches of headroom. You can use that space for a shower and possibly even a tub.
How Much Does It Cost To Add A ¼ Bath?
Today bathrooms have become the second most popular home remodeling project. According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association, the cost to add a master bath averages about $16,000. Considering this price, that means a ¼-bath range from $2,500 to $5,000.
The total cost depends on what you choose to put in and the difficulty of placing pipes and connecting faucets. If you move walls and lay tile, it can increase your cost. But if done right, it can add a small percentage of value to your home.
You can do the renovation yourself or get at least three bids to consider as a contractor. It’s also a good idea to ask a realtor to see if the return on investment would be beneficial in the future. Be sure to choose the right proposal and recognize that it is not always the cheapest to add a bathroom.
Related Questions
What is a water closet?
In easy terms, a water closet is a room within a bathroom where you can do your business. Typically in a water closet, it accommodates only one fixture, and that is a toilet. In many cases, water closets will literally look like tiny closets. Sometimes, a water closet may have no door, but walls separate it from the main bathroom. The advantage of a water closet is that it makes sharing a bathroom with your family easier. Kids can use it themselves while someone is in the shower without having to do a potty dance.Â
What is a home addition?
The word addition means to add or increase, so that is what you would be doing to your home. The homeowner can choose to add a completely new room to their home or create a new space within. The most common addition is adding a room or redoing and improving your kitchen.There is a wide range of money that you can spend on an addition. A 12×12 room can cost up to $28,000, while a garage can be only $20,000. Money will have to be fluid based on materials and the time it takes to build your addition.An addition to your home can add value to it in the marketplace. When it comes to selling a home, the more rooms the better. The extra perks that come from an additional bathroom or garage can be worth it.You can recoup part of your expenses within the value of your home. An additional bathroom gives you a chance of 53% recoup. That means if your bathroom remodels costs about $8,200, you can add on $4,399 to the value of your home.
Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparent's former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way.
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