Should we remove a bathroom to add a bedroom?

With our 75-square-meter apartment needing an extra bedroom for the grandparents to move in, my family is debating whether to remove one bathroom to increase the usable area.

My family consists of my husband, myself, and our young child. The apartment currently has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open-plan common living space. Soon, my parents will move in with us to make it easier for us to take care of their health and for them to help look after our child. Therefore, the apartment needs an extra bedroom to ensure privacy for the grandparents without disrupting our child’s daily life.

I once considered selling the current apartment to move to a larger home. However, due to financial constraints, we are forced to find a renovation solution within the existing space.

I have consulted a few layout options. In the first option, if we keep both bathrooms, the architect can partition a part of the living room or shrink the current bedrooms to create a space for the grandparents.

However, the new room would be small, only big enough for a bed and a narrow walkway. I worry this space will be inconvenient for elderly people, especially since they need a larger bed, a wardrobe, and enough space to move around.

The second option is to remove one bathroom and use this area along with the adjacent space to create a larger bedroom for the grandparents. This layout would allow enough room for a bed, a wardrobe, and a walkway, but our family of five would be left with only one bathroom. Everyone’s daily routine could be affected, especially in the morning or at times when multiple people need to use it at the same time.

I am also concerned about whether removing a bathroom will affect the water supply and drainage system, waterproofing, and the resale value of the apartment.

For a 75-square-meter apartment home to three generations, should I prioritize keeping two bathrooms and accept a small bedroom, or reduce to one bathroom to have a larger space for the grandparents? I look forward to your advice. Thank you.

Reader: Mai Linh (Hanoi)