You might have heard Airbnb and real estate agents use terms like “half bath” or “full bath.” If you’re planning to construct a house and trying to figure out what type of bathroom may be suitable, you should know what the terms mean—or what is 1.5 bathroom on a real estate listing—to make the best decision. 

One-and-a-half or 1.5 bathrooms include a full bathroom with a sink, toilet, shower, and tub, and another half bathroom with only a sink and a toilet. Although this concept has been around for a long time, it is now becoming the norm in most modern houses.

Most people prefer having 1.5 bathrooms in their home since a full bath can be in the bedroom, while a half bathroom is suitable for public spaces in the house, such as near the living room or dining room.

Area of 1.5 Bathrooms

The average area of a full bathroom is 36 to 40 square feet. However, the size of the bathroom as a whole depends on how big the house is. For instance, bigger houses and bungalows have more spacious bathrooms.

Next, if we talk about the area of 1.5 bathrooms, the average measurement is approximately 60 to 70 square feet combined. These calculations are based on estimates, and the actual size may vary accordingly.

The usual definition of a “1.5-bathroom” is one full bathroom and a half bathroom located elsewhere on the same property. However, some consider a 1.5-bathroom a full bathroom with additional space for a wardrobe or makeup. 

You can make the decision and divide the space according to your needs.

Cost to Build a 1.5 Bathroom in Your House

The estimated value of building 1.5 bathrooms depends on the pre-construction of the toilet in the house or apartment. If you’re looking to build an entire half-bathroom from scratch, it will cost you around $15,000 to $20,000. These are the lowest possible values, and they will increase if you add more styling to the bathroom.

However, if you already have a full bathroom and are only looking to construct a half bathroom, it will cost you an estimated $3,000 to $5,000. On the other hand, adding a wardrobe or makeup room to the existing bathroom will cost $2,000 to $3,000.

In addition, the average cost for a high-end 1.5 bathroom ranges from $15,000 to $40,000. As we mentioned, these estimated values may have significant differences based on the features you’re looking for, as well as the cost of materials and labor.

Benefits of 1.5 Bathroom

You may wonder why you should build a 1.5-bathroom when you could have two full bathrooms. Here’s how a 1.5-bathroom can benefit your home compared to two full bathrooms or a single full bathroom.

• Increase the Value of Your Property

If you are a real estate agent, building an Airbnb, or constructing a house for sale purposes, you should add a 1.5-bathroom instead of a single full bathroom in your home or apartment.

Extra bathrooms are considered an investment if you flip an apartment for sale. Therefore, adding 1.5 bathrooms will increase the value of your property. It may cost you extra money to build, but it will become a profitable investment in the future.

• Stylistic Approach

Building a 1.5-bathroom from scratch allows you to give it the style you want, and you can design it according to your needs. 

• Convenience to Your Life

Having a more prominent family makes it better to have 1.5 bathrooms in your home. The half bathroom can also be helpful for a small family in the living area. A full bathroom is attached to the room, and a half bathroom in the living area allows you to reach the toilet quickly. In addition, a half-bath will keep your bathroom area cleaner. Other guests will use it instead of the main bathroom, but it’s also less room and objects to clean. You also won’t have to worry about things like squealing showers or sealing off bathtub overflow with a half bathroom.

• Custom Features

You can add custom features to your bathroom according to your budget. It gives you the freedom to design and select the location. It depends on whether you want to add a makeup room with a full bathroom or another half bathroom with a sink and toilet to make a total of 1.5 bathrooms in your house. You can decide on these features according to your family’s needs.

Disadvantages of 1.5 Bathroom

The disadvantages of having 1.5 bathrooms are not a big deal to cope with. Here are a few things to look for:

• There’s extra cleaning compared to a single bathroom. When cleaning, having a full bathroom and a half may require more time and money. However, it is beneficial to have one-and-a-half bathrooms instead of two full bathrooms.
• It may cost you extra money to build a half bathroom and a full bathroom, and it costs extra money to hire a professional constructor and plumber.
• You have to consider the rules of the building if you are living in an apartment. Because building an extra half-bathroom may warrant a fine if it is not allowed by the building owner or state.

1.5 Bathroom Ideas

Here are some ways you can DIY your one-and-a-half bathroom and style it differently.

• Powder Room

Women find it difficult to place their makeup in their room while using the bathroom mirror to get ready. Therefore, adding a powder room and a full bathroom will be helpful. 

Moreover, a powder room and a full bathroom give a luxurious feeling and add to the beauty of your house. And the powder room adds value to your home.

• Full Bathroom Feel

When you have more family members, or you welcome too many guests into your home, you may need an extra bathroom in your home or apartment. Therefore, a half-bathroom will be convenient and give you the feeling of a complete bathroom if you add a shower. 

• Budget-Friendly Deal

A one-and-a-half bathroom is a budget-friendly deal if you don’t have the budget for an extra full bathroom. It also takes up less space, should you not have the room for another full bathroom. You can add a shower to take advantage of the entire bathroom in one-and-a-half bathrooms.

Conclusion

When you plan to build a bathroom in your home or think of looking for an apartment with two full bathrooms, consider the 1.5-bathroom route. A 1.5-bathroom is economical and budget-friendly instead of two full-bathroom apartments.

Building a full home instead? Plan to add 1.5 bathrooms instead of a single full bathroom, as it will enhance the value of your home and add to the property’s value.

In addition, you can custom design your 1.5 bathrooms because 1.5 bathrooms are one full bathroom with a tub, shower, sink, and toilet. A half bathroom only includes a sink and toilet. 

Moreover, a full bathroom with a powder room is also known as a one-and-a-half bathroom. Therefore, you can style it with 1.5 bathrooms accordingly.