Bathrooms, Bathroom Additions, and Residential Satisfaction: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Analysis

Abstract

This paper examines how bathrooms (and half-bathrooms) were associated with the self-reported satisfaction of residents in comparison to bedrooms, other rooms, overall size, and the presence of such amenities as a dishwasher, disposal, fireplace, balcony/patio, and garage. Cross-tabulations, ordinary least squares, and cumulative logit analyses of data from the 2005 American Housing Survey demonstrated a particularly strong positive relationship between residential satisfaction and the number of bathrooms, greater than for any other housing characteristic measured. A 'before and after' longitudinal analysis of homes with remodeling occurring between 1997 and 2005 also revealed a significant positive impact of bathroom additions on the satisfaction of residents. These results appear consistent with housing theory suggesting that privacy and control are major components of residential satisfaction.

Keywords: residential satisfaction, bathrooms, housing

JEL Classification: R21, D12