Converting bedroom into bath/closet - lots of questions
Hello all! I'm a longtime lurker, sometimes poster and I'm hoping to get some feedback on a project I've been thinking about doing. I live in a 1960s ranch that has 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. The master bath is very small and I would like to convert a bedroom into a larger bath and a walk in closet.
We won't be starting this project for at least a year, so that we can save up the money, as we plan to do most of the work ourselves. We have intermediate experience with DIY projects, but plan to hire professionals for the plumbing and electrical.
My first question is how this might affect resale. I realize this is dependent on the area, and while we aren't planning on selling at the moment, I'd like to be mindful of this. It seems that houses of comparable square footage in my area generally have 3-5 bedrooms, but I've had people tell me that getting rid of a bedroom would be a detriment. I tend to disagree, as the current bathroom and closet is very small, so making them larger would make the house more attractive. I should also mention that we have a furnished basement that could easily be converted into at least another bedroom.
The second part of my question is about layout, sizing, etc. The first picture is the current layout. As you can see, the bathroom is very small and the closet for the second bedroom is essentially the size of a coat closet. I also forgot to note on the drawing, but the attic access is located in that closet. Additionally, in that closet there is a bump out in the corner, which is about a foot square. I don't know what it is, but will obviously investigate before doing anything.
The second picture is what I'm thinking about. The bathroom would be 5 x 8.5, the walk-in closet would be 6 x 8.5, which would allow for a 5 inch wall between them for plumbing.
Obviously, the bathroom wouldn't be huge, but it would be much more functional that it is currently, as two people can't really use it at the same time. Having a 6 ft wide closet would (I believe) allow us to have clothing rods going down both sides and I might put a mirror or shelving at the end. Also, doing pocket doors is just an idea I'm tossing around at the moment.
Does this look like a somewhat feasible plan? Are those room dimensions the best use of that space?
As far as budget goes, I'm thinking around $5000, but obviously that could change as I do more research.
We would be doing the demo, hang the drywall, install the fixtures, and do any tiling ourselves. We gutted our other bathroom several years ago, but just changed the fixtures without changing the layout, so we have experience in those items.
We would be keeping fixtures and any tile simple and basic, so steam showers, multiple showerheads, or anything like that. Really, my main goal with the project is to be able to keep our clothing in one place and have the ability for both my husband and I to use the bathroom at the same time.
Comments (7)
live_wire_oak
9 years agolast modified: 7 years agoasm198 - Zone 6a (MO)
9 years agolast modified: 7 years agoRelated Discussions
New Master Bath and Closet in 10x10 bedroom
Comments (9)A walk in closet requires at least 6’ of depth to have hanging on both sides. And that only leaves a skinny 2’ walkway. 7’ depth is better. Otherwise stick with a 24”D reach in closet, hopefully accessible from the bedroom. That depth doesn’t account for the wall framing, which has to be accounted for. A reach in will take away usable wall space. That has to be accounted for in furniture placement. Bathrooms all have minimum required spacing for fixtures. And plumbing drains have to slope 1/4” per foot. That means drains may sometimes need to intrude into the space below if the placement isn’t optimal. http://starcraftcustombuilders.com/bath.design.rules.htm#.WqAZJX9MHYU A bathroom addition is the most expensive per square foot project that you can undertake. You need to slow down and hire the right designer to make the most of your space. The designer will have contacts with the right contractors. It isn’t a $198 project. Or even a $19,800 project. Make sure that you have the conversation about proper waterproofing for your wet spaces. That is a giant error that many make, to their regret. http://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2018/...See MoreLose 4th bedroom for a bigger master/master bath/closet?
Comments (7)Thanks for the feedback. I have spoken to a handful of agent friends who work in the area - there really is no consensus. Some are more old school and think number of bedrooms trumps all, while others are more in line with my thinking that my target buyer is the newlywed or newborn crowd. I could *technically* still list the house as four bedrooms as that basement bonus room has a closet and is adjacent to a bathroom. I also thought about just converting that into a master suite, but I think that adds a ton of livable space as a second living room for a relatively small house and 5 bedrooms would be overkill. The whole thing has raised another question - is having a large master with a big bathroom/closet going to be important to my target buyer? Sure, it would be nice, but there are two bathrooms upstairs right next to each other and I don’t see it being much of an inconvenience for a married couple....See MorePlease critique preliminary Master Bedroom/Bath/Closet design
Comments (9)Random thoughts: - Wow, that's a lot of stuff in a small space. While it fits, I don't think you have enough space for comfort. - You have nine doors in your master suite ... plus two more immediately outside the suite. In contrast, I have eleven in my whole downstairs. You've divided things too much; those doors will take up all your wall space. Consider that in the bathroom you have a separate room for the sink ... a separate room for the toilet ... and a separate room for the bathing apparatus. Those things are going to look odd each in their own rooms. You're empty nesters, so I assume aging-in-place is a concern for you? All these doors will be problematic if you have arthritic hands or mobility issues. - The worst door is the one on the toilet closet; this closet looks particularly small, and you won't be able to close the door once you're in there -- even if it were larger, these things are awful for elderly people. Consider, too, that you need some storage near the toilet ... for TP now, perhaps for other items once you're elderly. What you're doing is regulating yourself to a mall toilet stall; consider, too, that if you need to add grab bars to both sides of the room, the usable space in the room will decrease further still. You're going to use this toilet multiple times a day ... make it accessible and comfortable. - You're talking about a Japanese tub ... aren't these usually round? Yet your bathing room is laid out for a rectangular tub. - I don't like that the sink, the most used item in the bathroom, is going to be in a windowless room. - I like your connection between the closet and the laundry ... but you have no space for "waiting loads", no space for storage of detergent and other laundry items, no space for drip-drying items. Also, your dryer would be cheaper /more fire safe if it were placed on an exterior wall so you could vent it directly. - I see that the closet faces the front of the house, so I assume you need those windows-in-closet for symmetry ... but do consider what type of window coverings you'll use to protect your clothing from sun damage. - Your master is a nice size. - The exterior door in the master is an excellent idea ... for fire safety, if nothing else ... but what's the little bumpty-bump into which it opens? This is going to be expensive to build, and then it'll be odd to exit into that little space. If you incorporate that space into the master, you could have an overstuffed chair /footrest, which could be a great place to sit and read (if your lighting is right), and you could still have the exterior door in that spot. Yes! This general concept simplifies your overly-complex plan. It'll make access to these areas more convenient and will eliminate all those doors, doors, doors. Maybe lose all those entry doors /place ONE BEDROOM DOOR between the foyer and the suite, the spot where you currently have a cased opening. Not sure how the little office will be used, but agree with the other poster on putting the laundry there instead. Yes! How about moving the laundry to the office ... and put a built-in desk in the spot that currently holds laundry....See Moremaster bedroom, master closet, master bath, 1/2 bath and laundry
Comments (9)Do you have another bathtub in the house...for bathing kids? Unless you or your spouse enjoy baths...maybe eliminate the tub in the MBA? I am glad I have a linen closet in my MBA. I agree with eliminating the reach-in closets and adding windows. Also think about how you dress; a walk-in closet can hold all the things people used to store in dressers. (You really don't *need* a window in a closet, although Mark gave it one.) I agree with him about losing the (dated) double doors -- and creating an entry, rather than plopping right into the living room. If you'll eat at the kitchen island a lot, consider seating that's not all-in-a-row. It makes conversation difficult....See More
kirkhall
9 years agolast modified: 7 years agoasm198 - Zone 6a (MO)
9 years agolast modified: 7 years agodon92
9 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
weedyacres
9 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
geoffrey_b