Kitchenette or bathtub in basement?
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Anonymous
| We have a large bathroom in our basement with a walk-in shower and separate tub. Nobody uses the tub, but it is the only one in the house besides the kids’ bathroom. We are considering turning the space into two small rooms: one a small bathroom and the other a kitchenette. But doing so will require us to get rid of the separate tub. There’s no doubt a kitchenette and small bathroom will be more functional for our family, but I’m hesitant to spend a lot of money if it will have a negative impact on resale value. Which would you prefer? |
Anonymous
| A separate tub in the basement is completely unnecessary to how most people will use the space (in laws, au pair, income apartment). |
Anonymous
| Both are probably a wash for resale. You won’t lose money, but you won’t get any of the kitchenette money back. |
Anonymous
OP — forgot to mention that we’ll be redoing the bathroom regardless because it is in really bad shape. So the kitchenette option is more expensive, but not as much as if we were just changing it for the sake of building the kitchenette. Thanks for the opinions! |
Anonymous
| Do what works for your family (especially because I think the small kitchenette would also work better for any future occupants of your house) |
Anonymous
| How would you use the kitchenette? I agree the tub seems ok to take out but unless you are going to rent the basement, how will you use it? |
Anonymous
We have a walk-out basement with a guest room, so it would be for our elderly parents to visit without having to navigate stairs so often. |
Anonymous
| Tub and get rid of the separate shower. We put a tub in our basement. |
Anonymous
In that case I would definitely do a kitchenette. Think of how you want to design it for their safety (I would not do a gas stove or cabinets that are too high up for them to reach, for example) and also add things in the bathroom like a higher toilet and grab bars there and in the shower. If you can fit a larger shower with a bench that would be great. A curbless shower would be even better. |
Anonymous
| And make sure the doors are wide enough for someone to get through with a cane or walker, use levers instead of knobs on doors and faucets, and have the bathroom door either slide (pocket door) or, better yet, swing out rather than in. That is crucial in case the person falls in the bathroom--if they fall blocking the door you will be very grateful for this!! |
Anonymous
| Definitely don't need a tub down there if you have one elsewhere in the house. The kitchenette is only worthwhile if you plan on having someone live down there eventually - kids, parents. I wouldn't put a kitchenette in solely for resale value. I would say extra storage would be a better and cheaper use. |
Anonymous
A kitchenette is useful even if it's just guests-- it's nice to be able to make yourself a snack without traipsing into the kitchen |
Anonymous
I’ll never get this. The kitchen is not very far! And someone has to “traipse” the snack down there and “traipse” up the trash and “traipse” down to empty the dishwasher. |
Anonymous
Yes, but that person could be 40 with two working knees and a healthy back. The first person might be an 80 year old recovering from surgery. |
Anonymous
If my guest is an 80 year old recovering from surgery and they are in my basement for some reason, yes, I will bring them a snack. |