The Once-Popular Bathroom Feature That Now Lowers Home Value

When preparing your home for a future sale, don't overlook the bathroom in your process. Modern bathroom designs are attractive to buyers and can add value to or home, especially in a competitive market. The once-popular bathroom feature that now lowers home value is a Jacuzzi jets bathtub. These tubs were routinely added to master bathrooms in the 1980s and 1990s and often tiled in, but have fallen out of favor for a number of reasons.

Jacuzzi tubs are the luxurious bathroom trend you can say goodbye to, as they are outdated, loud, and difficult to clean. Due to the additional mechanical components of these tubs, there are more maintenance concerns compared to standard bathtubs or soaking tubs. Some of the performance issues that may require repairs include problems with the jet function and the leaks that are common with these bathtubs. A leak can cause water damage, lead to mold growth, and repairs can be costly, especially if the tub is tiled in. The tiles will have to be broken to conduct repairs and replaced, which adds to the cost.

Aesthetics and concerns about bacteria aren't the only reasons buyers shy away from bathrooms with these tubs. They can also be expensive to operate, even when they are working. Jacuzzi tubs use more water than a standard bathtub and the jets require electricity, which can increase your monthly utility bills.

Once you make the decision to take out the Jacuzzi tub, you will need to decide what to put in its place. A variety of bathtub alternatives offer chic solutions that won't go out of style. If you don't want a bathtub in the room, you can replace a jet tub with a larger shower. Some options to consider include a walk in tiled shower, double shower, a curved shower enclosure, a wet room, or a steam shower.

Whether you still want a bathtub because you enjoy the occasional soak or think a tub will be important when you list your house for sale, there are better options to replace an outdated Jacuzzi bathtub. Consider adding a statement freestanding soaking tub. A soaking tub is larger and deeper than a standard bathtub to allow for full body soaking and deep relaxation.

You can find soaking bathtubs in a range of sizes and shapes to accommodate the layout of your bathroom and your own preferences. Some of the popular options in soaking tubs include freestanding, drop in, and alcove bathtubs. In addition to fitting in better to a modern bathroom, a soaking tub is easier to clean and requires less maintenance than that old Jacuzzi jet bathtub.