Shower and Tub in Primary Bath Essential for First-Time Buyers

Trends
Published

When it comes to bathroom features, a shower stall and tub in the primary bath tops the list for first-time home buyers, according to a recent NAHB study, What Home Buyers Really Want, 2021 Edition.

In fact, 72% of first-time buyers rated both a shower stall and tub in the primary bath as “essential” or “desirable,” followed closely by a linen closet, rated essential or desirable by 70%.

After the top two, 67% of first-time buyers rated a private toilet compartment essential or desirable, followed by 65% for a whirlpool tub.

Next comes a group of bathroom features rated essential or desirable by 62% of first-time buyers: a double vanity, multiple shower heads, a granite vanity and body spray panels.

NAHB senior economist Paul Emrath provides further analysis in this Eye on Housing blog post.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Economics | Remodeling

Jan 15, 2026

Remodeling Market Sentiment Strengthens in Fourth Quarter of 2025

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released its NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the fourth quarter, posting a reading of 64, up four points compared to the previous quarter.

Sustainability and Green Building | Education

Jan 14, 2026

Upcoming NAHB Webinar Will Highlight Updates to NGBS

A new edition of the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) will be coming out soon. NAHB is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 2 p.m. EST for members to learn more about the update.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Jan 15, 2026

Remodeling Market Sentiment Strengthens in Fourth Quarter of 2025

In the third quarter of 2025, the NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 64, increasing four points compared to the previous quarter.

Economics

Jan 15, 2026

Existing Home Sales Climb to Near 3-Year High in December

Existing home sales rose in December to the fastest pace in nearly three years, but annual sales for 2025 remained at a 30-year low as elevated home prices and mortgage rates kept buyers on the sidelines, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Economics

Jan 14, 2026

Building Material Price Growth Remains Elevated in November

Residential building material prices continued to experience elevated growth, according to the latest Producer Price Index release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Price growth has been above 3.0% since June this year, despite continued weakness in the new residential construction market.