SECOND BATHROOM VS. STORAGE—WORTH THE TRADE?
- Gotta admit, I’ve had this debate with myself more than once. Second bathroom sounds great on paper, but here’s what I keep running into:
- Plumbing costs aren’t just upfront—they’re ongoing. More pipes = more potential leaks down the line.
- Heating a second water line, especially if you’re using a tank system, can bump up your bills.
- If you’re tight on space, that extra bath eats up square footage fast. Once it’s in, you can’t exactly turn it into a walk-in closet later.
- On the flip side, storage is way more flexible. Need a pantry? Mudroom? Even a small office nook? You can rework storage spaces as your needs change. Bathrooms are pretty much locked in.
- I know families who swear by two baths, but honestly, we’ve managed with one and some creative scheduling. Never really missed having another one—though maybe that’s just us being stubborn.
- If I could do it over, I’d probably go for a killer storage setup and see how it plays out before committing to another full bath. Just seems like less hassle long-term... unless you’ve got teenagers fighting over the shower every morning. Then all bets are off.
SECOND BATHROOM VS. STORAGE—WORTH THE TRADE?
- I get the appeal of storage, but honestly, once you’ve lived with two baths, it’s tough to go back. Morning routines don’t feel like a battle royale.
- That said, you’re right: bathrooms are basically permanent. Storage can flex as your needs change—especially if you move stuff around a lot or have hobbies that need gear.
- Here’s my hang-up: what about resale? In higher-end markets, buyers almost expect at least two baths. Could skipping it actually hurt long-term value, even if you personally don’t need it?
- Curious if anyone’s regretted *not* putting in the second bath later, after living in the space for a few years...
BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
Honestly, I keep going back and forth on this one. I’m all about maximizing usable space, but bathrooms are a serious commitment—once the plumbing’s in, you’re not exactly shuffling things around. Storage, on the other hand, is way more forgiving. Shelves, racks, even those rolling bins... you can change it up as your life changes.
But here’s the thing: I’ve seen too many reno projects where people try to squeeze in a second bath later, and it’s a total pain—costs more, mess everywhere, and sometimes you’re stuck with awkward layouts. If you *think* you might want it down the line, it’s easier to plan for it now, even if you just rough in the plumbing and finish it later.
On resale, at least around here (mid-sized city), two baths is kind of the minimum for families looking to move up. Not having that second one can definitely limit your buyer pool. But if you’re not planning to sell soon and you need a place for all your camping gear or holiday decorations... I get why storage wins out.
If I had to do it again? I’d probably rough-in a second bath just for flexibility. Worst case, it’s an expensive closet until you need it.
Totally get where you’re coming from. When we built, I thought storage was king—now I’m kicking myself every time both kids need the bathroom at once. Should’ve just roughed in that second bath and called it a day. Storage can always be hacked together later... bathrooms, not so much.
Building Base Structures—What If You Had to Start Over?
- Been there. On my first project, I prioritized a walk-in pantry and massive closets. Looked great on paper, but ended up with a single, cramped bathroom for a family of four.
- Plumbing is a pain to add later—storage, not so much. You can always get creative with built-ins or furniture, but adding a bathroom after the fact? That's a mess.
- If I could rewind, I'd rough in an extra bath or at least leave space for it. Storage solutions evolve... plumbing doesn’t.
- Funny how you only realize what really matters when you’re living in the space.
