A lot depends on where you live too. If you're in the country where you need to come in, strip and shower because of muddy clothes or work clothes, then yes it's a plus. However when I was house hunting in the suburbs I found those older homes with a full bath on the first floor with all bedrooms upstairs to be worthless. I know I wasn't about to put a robe on and come downstairs to shower.

Having raised two kids in a cape that was down one bathroom for a couple of longish stretches during renovations, I can tell you that regardless of whether the bathroom is on the same level as the bedrooms or not that second bathroom is sorely needed. Maybe when kids are little or the nest is empty it's no big deal, but when that time comes that four people are getting ready for work or school in the mornings a second full bath is a necessity. Also, guests who may be staying on the main level at times -- which may include aging parents/relatives will also find it a necessity, cape steps are pretty steep. I wholeheartedly vote FOR the shower-- lucky you that you can do it so easily.

Bathroom is not only for "bath or shower". It could be used for cleaning household items, hanging and soaking laundry, washing pets, cleaning items that are not suitable doing that outdoor...there are many ways to use it.

Personally I find extra bathroom is always useful and valuable.

In my area where there are lots of homes built 1900-1940 any extra full bath adds value.

No, your home will not be discounted by future buyers because you added a full bath on the main floor. It adds to your house value. We have a full bath on the first floor and it gets use all the time. When someone is soaking in the tub there are other bathrooms to use. The dogs and kids got their baths there(though not at the same time, much to my kids dismay). Oversize items went into the bathtub for washing. My dehydrator stackable rings don't fit in the dishwasher or sink. They get washed in the bathtub. The list goes on and on for uses for a main floor full bathroom.

I guess it depends on the area if it would. If the norm in the area is to have 2 baths where the bedrooms are with a half downstairs then adding it won't help or hurt as people are already expecting the 2 baths to be on the 2nd floor and you're down 1 bath. If the norm in your area is 1 bath or 1.5 baths then I think it will help. Either way I'd find it helpful with younger children too. My kid is old enough to take a shower on her own, but she needs constant reminders such as wash your hair, wash your body, time to get out etc. It is nice if that could be accomplished while I was doing stuff in the kitchen or just relaxing watching TV vs. having to yell or run upstairs each time. Also if you ever have issues using stairs it would be a plus.

Normally a cape has a room or two that could be bedrooms so I think a full bath is worth it.

For all reasons stated above, do it. Definitely add a shower downstairs. If anyone gets impaired (temporary cast to chronic illness) a downstairs shower is a life saver.

Yes, add the full bath. It will definitely improve resale value, assuming you are in a good area.

First, we can guess about this but really can't answer, you will not really know until you sell the home. Some buyers will be willing to pay more for the home if it has a full bath, especially those who have children approaching the teenage years. But, generally, you don't recover the expense of putting it in (the cost of installation is greater than the additional profit at resale), so, no, it is not really a good value.

However, life is more complicated than simply looking at the money you will get when you sell the house. While a number of buyers will not look at a full bath conversion as something to pay extra for and many buyers will not want to pay a lot extra for it, some buyers will see it as a requirement to even consider your house. In other words, the "value" of the bath may be incredible if a buyer sees your home and makes an offer based only on the fact that you have two baths.

So, my advice, if you are selling anytime soon, or if it will make your life better then it is probably worth it. If you are not planning on selling or have no functional need for it and the only reason you are putting it in your house is to make it more "valuable" then don't do it. If you really need to create value then put the money in an investment.

Is there a space on the first floor that could become a bedroom for someone unable to climb stairs? (Leg in a cast, Senior, Whatever.) Might you add one as you renovate? That *and* a full bath on the first floor would be an even bigger plus, IMO.

Relatives own an old house with a full bath up, a half bath on the first floor, and a finished English basement with a shower bath. Even though the 'second bathroom' is two floors down from the bedrooms, they would not have even seen the house without the listing saying it had TWO full bathrooms.

Thanks to everyone for the comments, I appreciate the insights! I do have space on the first floor that could be used as a bedroom if necessary, which is one of my drivers. Despite HGTV, I do not expect to fully recover the costs of my renovation, and will ultimately do what best meets my needs. I do think having a second bathroom broadens the potential customer base, but that won't be the primary factor in my decision. Again, I really do appreciate all the comments provided.

I will say that if you are going to put in a shower on the main floor, strongly suggest:

- safety bars

- Shower bar with hand-held hose/shower

The latter have come way down in price since we did ours. Kohler has one for less than $100 from an on-line vendor:

http://www.faucetdirect.com/kohler-k-98362-awaken-multi-function-hand-shower-package-with-slide-bar-and-hose/p2244267?source=gg-gba-pla_2244267____40793319203&s_kwcid=AL!3775!3!40793319203!!!g!142410629843!&gclid=CKr0iNCoqsoCFUNgfgodiDoMRw#reviews

Especially when you are disabled, the shower bar w/hand-held is a godsend. I really regret we did not put it into both bathrooms.

You may or may not recoup all the cost of the renovation...but it will make it much easier to sell, and that can be worth a lot!

Also, it is worth noting that not in all areas of the country would your proposal be considered a "full bath". A 36x36 shower, toilet and sink, in my area of the country, is considered a 3/4 bath. And, therefore you remodeled house would be advertised as a 1.75 bath. Depending on the listing, those get put under 1.5 (therefore gaining you no new attention).

I'd still do it. Because, I like the option of having batheing on the main level, if ever there was a time I were confined to the main level...

I disagree with cpartist, and recommend adding the shower if you can!

My sister is in a small 1910-era 1.5 story that is very typical older homes around here. Families couldn't live with just one bathroom, so a 2nd shower is wonderful! When I stay over, I use the mainfloor shower - it beats waiting for her to finish in the main bath!

chisue - what is an 'English basement'? Ive never heard that term before?

An English basement is an apartment on the lowest floor of a building, generally a townhouse or brownstone,
which is partially below and partially above ground level and which has
its own separate entrance from the rest of the building.

It isn't whether the buyer will pay more for the new shower, it is whether it will APPRIASE for more. (buyers really hate to come up with more money because it will not appraise.)

Around here, this is how baths and their fixtures are counted on appraisals.

* Full bath (toilet, sink, shower/tub or shower and tub or tub since a shower can be added easily) = $3000

* 1/2 bath (sink and toilet) = $1500

* 3/4 bath (sink and toilet and shower) = $2250

Unless it has a tub, it is NOT a "full" bath with just a shower. It is a 3/4 bath.

So in terms of the appraised value, that shower is only worth another $750 above the value of a 1/2 bath. And it does NOT matter whether it was $300 fiberglass thing with a shower curtain or a $5000 thing with a custom built base and high-end frameless door.

$750 on appraisal around here. (And the median priced home in this county is $435,000. Less than 10% are under $200K High end area 40 mile round trip from a large grocery store)

It is a nice-that-it-is-there thing on a sale but not make or break if it is obvious there is enough space to put in a shower. Minor plus if the buyer does not have to put it in. HUGE minus if you go with freaky colors and have a black tile shower or other 'out there' thing that is not widely popular (and I do not mean popular with designers but popular with the masses.) Keep it neutral if you tile - creams, almond etc.

You will NOT however, get the cost back on sale. Plan accordingly.