A bathroom is an essential part of a home and is an important factor in the home's value. There are different types and sizes of bathrooms that each have their own advantages and disadvantages. One type of bathroom that has everything you need in a space-efficient way is a three-quarter bathroom.
A three-quarter bathroom usually has a sink, toilet, and a shower. On a rare occasion, a three-quarter bathroom may have a tub instead of a shower. A full bathroom has a sink, toilet, shower, and tub, and a half-bathroom has just a sink and toilet.
We've done the research on these things and would love to help you understand them better. Keep reading for more information on adding a three-quarter bathroom to your home. We'll tell you how much value it can add, how much space you need, and other factors you should consider. Here we go!
The Usefulness Of A 3/4 Bathroom
A 3/4 bathroom is a great option to have in your home. Sometimes a bathtub can look a bit cumbersome, so this bathroom layout makes for an excellent alternative. Additionally, since the 3/4 bathroom won't (typically) have a tub, the room can be on the smaller side. This allows you to have significant value in your home without taking up too much square footage.
What Is A Good 3/4 Bathroom Layout?
To most efficiently utilize your space in a three-quarter bathroom, plan on wedging the shower or tub between two walls with the entrance facing the rest of the room. The toilet could be placed between the shower and sink, allowing plenty of clearance for all three.
Another option is to use a corner shower and then place the sink and toilet on the adjacent walls, as pictured below.
This allows the shower to open into the large part of the bathroom, so you can essentially only use two walls for all three fixtures. You could then use another wall for shelving, hooks, or clearance space.
Looking for advice on picking out your new bathroom fixtures? Read Should The Bathroom Sink Match The Toilet?
How Much Value Does A 3/4 Bathroom Add To A House?
The amount of value that is added to a home by adding a three-quarter bathroom depends on several factors such as the location, condition, and the number of existing bathrooms.
Adding a three-quarter bathroom to a home that already has five bathrooms will not change the value of the home drastically. But adding a three-quarter bathroom to a home that only had one bathroom previously can significantly raise the value.
Also worth noting, adding a bathroom of any size to a home that is otherwise in disrepair will not help raise the value too much.
One of the biggest factors in a home's value comes from its location. A smaller home in a good location is more valuable than a larger home in a less desirable location. So, if your home is in a less desirable location, adding a bathroom will not have as much of an effect on the home's value.
Nationwide Averages
In 2017, one study says that adding a full bathroom added $23,283. Another study in 2019 says that adding a full bathroom added approximately $18,000 to the home's value. This same survey says you can expect about a 5.7% increase in your home's value with an added bathroom.
Adding a bathroom from scratch cost an average amount of $43,232 in 2017. While that might seem like a lot of money, keep in mind that plumbing is expensive. It's best if you have access to water in that location. The simplest way to add a bathroom is to pick a spot that already has plumbing nearby. Can your new bathroom go near the laundry room or an existing bathroom? If so, you can avoid expensive plumbing to get water to the location.
Also keep in mind that large-scale improvements that add value to your home can often be covered by financing, such as home renovation loans, home equity loans, or a personal loan. The added value might make it worth the cost. Contact your current lender or a local bank for more information.
These numbers are based on a full bathroom, which is not exactly a three-quarter bathroom. However, this is the closest comparison. This study is also based on nation-wide averages. Your specific location might be significantly higher or lower than these estimates.
If you would like a more accurate answer to this question, contact a licensed realtor who is familiar with your home's area. They will be able to give you a specific answer based on your specific situation. Or, click here to try out this home improvement value calculator.
How Much Room Do You Need For A 3/4 Bathroom?
A three-quarter bathroom with a shower needs at least 32 square feet to be comfortable. For a bathroom with a tub, plan on at least 40 square feet. However, you can get away with less square footage if you're willing to sacrifice comfort.
Essentially, you only need enough space for the toilet, sink, and shower or tub to go in the bathroom, plus enough clearance for a person to use each element. Within these dimensions, there are several ways to organize the three fixtures.
Another aspect to consider is that the smallest standard shower size is 32 inches by 32 inches from edge to edge. Unless you seek out a specialty shower, plan on needing at least that much space.
Homes that are less than 2,000 square feet total generally only have 90-95 square feet dedicated to bathrooms. This is a great rule of thumb to help you decide if you need another bathroom, or how much space you should dedicate to installing a new one.
Shower Or Tub?
If you have at least 40 square feet of space, you should consider making the bathroom a full bathroom instead of three-quarters. This depends on the layout of the room, of course. If it is wide enough to hold a tub, this might be a great option.
Most standard wall-to-wall bathtubs are 60 inches long. Adding a showerhead to a bathtub is a simple project for a plumber and will be more convenient in the long run.
Does your home already have a bathroom with a full tub? If so, it might make more sense to make your new bathroom three-quarters with a shower. Bathtubs are most important for families with young children or elderly people, so having one bathtub is often enough to satisfy potential buyers.
If you decide to add a shower, you'll want to know your options. Check out "What Is The Best Material For Shower Walls?" for more information.
What Is The Minimum Width For A Bathroom?
There is no set rule about the minimum width for a bathroom, except that each fixture needs to have enough space to be used by the average person. This space is known as "clearance" and refers to the recommended amount of space in front of each fixture.
The National Kitchen and Bathroom Association lists minimum requirements for bathrooms, as well as recommendations for comfort.
At least 24 inches is required in front of the shower entry, and 30 inches is recommended. You must have at least 21 inches of clearance in front of both a toilet and sink, though 30 is recommended. Remember that these measurements are not laws. Check your local building codes to make sure your bathroom will comply with appropriate measurements.
Sinks come in several different versions and sizes. This means that you can choose a sink based on the size of the bathroom. The sink pictured below would be a great option for a narrow bathroom because it doesn't come off the wall very far.
On the other hand, toilet sizes do not vary much. A standard, floor-mounted toilet is typically somewhere between 27 and 30 inches from front to back. If you add a minimum of 21 inches of clearance to the toilet itself, that gives you a depth of 4 feet.
What Is Considered A Small Bathroom?
Any bathroom under forty square feet is considered small. This does not mean it cannot be done, however, with a smaller space. There are creative ways to conserve space in a three-quarter bathroom.
If your space is smaller than 27 square feet, you might want to consider simply adding a half bathroom instead of a three-quarter bathroom. This would be helpful if you don't need an extra shower but still want another bathroom. You would then have a more spacious half bathroom instead of a cramped three-quarter bathroom.
If you do have a small bathroom, you may be interested in reading about What Colors Make A Small Bathroom Look Bigger.
In Closing
A three-quarter bathroom contains three out of the four typical bathroom fixtures. Usually, this consists of a sink, toilet, and shower, though the third element could be a bathtub without a shower.
Adding a bathroom to your home will raise its value significantly, depending upon factors such as its location and condition. For a comfortable three-quarter bathroom with a shower, you should plan on at least 32 square feet of space, though you can get away with a smaller space if necessary. Any bathroom with less than 40 square feet of space is considered small.
We hope this article has helped you better understand the factors involved in three-quarter bathrooms and whether or not it is a good fit for your home!