Whether you’re looking at buying a new house or preparing your current home for a renovation, there are a ton of things to consider in the process. One element you’re likely contemplating is whether a half bathroom is a good choice for your home’s unique design. And understandably, with their small size and benefits like increased home value and elevated guest comfort, a half bath is hard to say no to.

Half bathrooms are right for your home if there’s a spot where one would be particularly useful, and you have the space and budget for it. By definition, they consist of just a toilet and sink and take up a mere 15 to 26 square feet (whereas full baths have those elements plus a bathtub and shower and measure about 50 to 60 square feet). Most often, you’ll see them added in main-floor hallways and under staircases. You can also repurpose alcoves, renovate unused closets, or even take space out of extra-large rooms. Such locations allow guests to use them without intruding into more private areas of your home.

If you’re planning on selling your house, renovating to add a half bathroom will increase its value. You’ll get to claim another bathroom for your house, all while increasing the appeal to buyers and potentially putting more money in your pocket — from roughly $8,000 to $10,000. While you’ll still need to make sure you’re following the rules when designing your bathroom, you won’t have to contend with doing even more for a shower and/or bathtub. Whew!

While adding a half bathroom is possible in most homes, it isn’t for every house. Often there is simply a lack of space — something common in older or smaller homes. This is especially the case if you need to take any accessibility needs into account, like having enough room for a wheelchair.

Perhaps the biggest issue most homeowners run into with this project, however, is the cost. The average cost of adding a half bath is $6,500, although this ranges from $4,500 to $12,000, according to 2025 data from Angi. That’s a big chunk of change. It’s understandable, however, when you consider all of the necessary elements: flooring, the toilet and sink, lighting, plumbing, HVAC, and even labor if you choose to hire a professional team. These costs escalate if you want more upscale design elements and hardware (though lower-cost elements boost your return on investment).

And then there are the potential hidden costs. You’ll need to consult with your local government to determine what the costs are for permitting and inspections. If the area where you want to build your half bathroom isn’t near any plumbing, electrical, or HVAC, you’ll likely be paying extra for that infrastructure to be added in by pros. If there are structural issues blocking any of those, there will be extra costs there — maybe even hiring an architect. And if your plumbing needs updating to meet code, that’ll cost you, too. So while adding a half bathroom most often means long-term benefits for resale value, watch out for any potential hidden costs.