Bathtubs Are on the Way Out, but There's a Catch

"Conventional wisdom says you should feel free to decorate and remodel your home as you like. But at the same time, it also says that if you plan to sell your place at some point, you'll want to make sure it appeals to the majority of homebuyers. The landlord special can be painted over. You can always remove the wallpaper. But remodeling is where it gets tricky. It's expensive, extensive, and you want to make sure that the changes you make correspond with increasing value"

"Bathroom remodeling is a high investment project that can come with a high reward. After all, if a buyer looks at your bathroom and sees something in serious need of repair, they may want to walk away and find something a bit more turnkey. But knowing what to renovate, get rid of, and replace altogether can be challenging, and I've been confused by multiple reports that say that bathtubs are out - and people are replacing them with spa-like shower solutions."

"I was a kid during the era of the "Calgon, take me away!" bath product commercials. If you don't know what I'm talking about, here's the gist: A frazzled mom standing in a chaotic household would utter the phrase and be immediately transported to a luxurious bubble bath, where her troubles would simply soak away. That commercial has stuck with me over the years (ugh, I mean decades),"

Conventional wisdom permits personal decorating choices but warns that homes intended for future sale should appeal to most buyers. Cosmetic fixes like paint and wallpaper are easily reversed, while remodeling demands careful consideration because it is expensive and should increase home value. Bathroom remodeling involves high investment with potential high reward. Buyers may reject homes with bathrooms in serious disrepair. Conflicting reports about bathtubs being replaced by spa-like showers have created uncertainty about trends. Professionals were consulted to clarify bathtub popularity. Buyer preferences can vary by market and situation.

Read at Apartment Therapy