Full Bath vs. Half Bath: Which Addition Makes More Sense

Planning a bathroom addition feels like standing at a crossroads. You know you need more space, but should you invest in a full bathroom with all the fixtures, or will a half bath solve your problems while keeping costs manageable? At LaRue Custom Homes, we’ve guided countless homeowners through this exact decision, and the answer isn’t always what you’d expect.

The choice between a full and half bath addition goes beyond simple square footage. It’s about understanding how your family lives now and anticipating how those needs might shift. The right decision can add significant value to your home while eliminating daily frustrations. The wrong one might leave you wishing you’d thought things through more carefully.

Understanding the Basics

A half bath contains just a toilet and sink, typically occupying around 20 to 25 square feet. This compact footprint makes it relatively easy to tuck into existing floor plans. A full bathroom adds a shower or tub to that equation, requiring roughly 35 to 40 square feet minimum, though most homeowners feel more comfortable with 50 to 60 square feet for a truly functional space.

The cost difference reflects this size gap. Half bath additions generally run between $5,000 and $15,000, depending on finishes and plumbing complexity. Full bathrooms start around $15,000 and can easily climb past $35,000 when you factor in quality fixtures, proper ventilation, and waterproofing requirements.

When a Half Bath Makes Perfect Sense

Consider your main floor layout. If guests currently need to venture upstairs or into private bedroom areas to use the facilities, a half bath near your living spaces solves an awkward problem elegantly. This works especially well for homes with frequent entertaining or multi-generational households where privacy matters.

The numbers back this up. Real estate data suggests that adding a half bath to a home with only one bathroom can recoup 100 to 130 percent of your investment in many markets. That first additional bathroom, even without a shower, eliminates a major pain point for potential buyers.

Half baths also shine in homes where the primary bottleneck happens during morning routines. If your family struggles because everyone needs the toilet and sink simultaneously, but shower scheduling works fine, you’re addressing the actual problem without overbuilding.

The Case for Going Full Bath

Homes with teenagers or multiple children face different math. When you’re running three people through showers each morning, a half bath doesn’t move the needle. The same applies if you’re adding a basement suite, guest quarters, or accessory dwelling unit. Asking overnight guests to shower elsewhere doesn’t quite work.

Full bathrooms become particularly valuable in two-story homes where the existing bathrooms cluster upstairs. Adding a full bath on the main level serves immediate convenience while future-proofing your home for aging in place. Stairs become less manageable over time, and that ground-floor shower can mean the difference between staying in a beloved home or being forced to relocate.

The resale perspective matters here too. Homes with more bedrooms than full bathrooms often sell at a disadvantage. The general guideline suggests one full bathroom per two bedrooms, plus one half bath. Falling short of this ratio can make your home harder to sell, regardless of other upgrades.

Making Your Decision

Start by counting your current bathrooms and bedrooms. If you’re significantly below that two-to-one ratio, lean toward a full bath. If you’re at or above it, a half bath likely addresses your real needs while preserving budget for other improvements.

Consider your timeline too. Planning to sell within five years? The half bath often provides better ROI. Settling in for the long haul with growing kids? The full bathroom investment pays dividends in daily quality of life. At LaRue Custom Homes, we believe the best bathroom addition is the one that solves your specific problem without creating new ones. Whether that’s a smartly placed powder room or a fully appointed sanctuary, the right choice comes from honest assessment of how you actually live in your space. Contact us today to discuss which bathroom addition makes the most sense for your home and budget.