Renovating a bathroom is one of the better ways to make a home more attractive to buyers. It also makes the house more comfortable for you in the meantime.
If you are thinking of updating an outdated bathroom, improving a primary bath or powder room can help your home’s resale appeal. The bathroom remodeling ideas below are practical ones that make sense for most homes.
Smart bathroom remodeling ideas that improve home value
These ideas cover both small and large bathrooms. You do not need all of them. Choose the ones that fit your room and your budget.
Plan and implement practical improvements
Most homeowners want to control costs while getting the most benefit from a bathroom remodel. Start by reviewing the important areas of the bathroom:
- Sinks and faucets
- Tile and flooring
- Lighting
- Vanity top
- Walk-in shower and fixtures
- Tub
- Storage
Everything you update should improve your daily routine in the bathroom. It should also leave the room looking better than before.
Hidden tank and floating vanity
Toilets with a concealed tank are popular in small bathrooms. The tank is hidden inside the wall, which saves space and gives the room a cleaner, more modern look. It is an excellent choice where the footprint is tight, though it needs to be planned early because it affects the wall framing and plumbing.
A floating vanity complements this idea. It leaves the floor visible, and you can keep a basket underneath for extra linens and toilet paper. A vessel sink on top pairs well with a floating vanity.
Textured shower floor tiles
For safety, consider replacing an old shower floor with small textured tiles. Small tiles mean more grout lines, which together with a matte or textured finish improve grip underfoot and help prevent slips. Small hexagonal or mosaic tiles work well.
A grab bar beside or inside the shower adds support for anyone using it.
In a bathroom with a curbless or open shower, the same tile can continue across the bathroom floor. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are the most common choices because they are affordable and widely available.
A window near your shower or tub
A window near the shower or tub helps remove excess moisture, which keeps the bathroom comfortable and fresh.
A window also brings in natural light and connects the bathroom to the outdoors. Whether or not you have a window, an exhaust fan vented to the outside is the reliable way to draw moisture out of the room.
Touchless faucet and good lighting
If you want some modern technology in your bathroom, a touchless faucet is an easy place to start. Children and older adults can turn it on and off easily, and because no one touches the handle, the faucet stays cleaner.
Modern lighting fixtures are also worth considering. Some have motion sensors or can be dimmed or controlled remotely. These are optional, but they add to the function of a remodeled bathroom.
Avoid cold feet with heated flooring
You can also install a heated floor system under the tile outside the shower. It takes the chill off the floor after a shower. It is easiest and most economical to add while the floor is already being replaced.
Pick the right bathroom countertop and cabinets
The vanity and countertop are focal points of a bathroom remodel. We can help you choose and install bathroom cabinets and stone countertops that improve both the storage and the look of the room.
In a small bathroom especially, new cabinets and a new vanity top are the opportunity to gain storage and improve the appearance of the room at the same time.
Color and material are the two decisions that matter most here. Look at samples together, in the light of your own bathroom if you can.
Keep humidity low
Moisture control belongs in every bathroom remodel, because it affects how clean and healthy the room stays. Too much moisture promotes mold and mildew, which is a headache for any homeowner and especially for people with allergies.
Plan for an exhaust fan that is sized for the room. It is usually placed in the ceiling near the shower and should vent to the outside.
Water-saving shower fixtures
If your utility bills have gone up, the shower may be part of the reason. Heating water takes energy, and an older showerhead can use a lot of it.
Switching to low-flow showerheads and faucets is a simple fix. You use less water, and you use less energy to heat it.
Invest for the long term
How often do you renovate a bathroom? Perhaps every five to ten years? The point is to invest in durable materials that last. Do not settle for products that wear out in a year or two, because replacing them is costly and a hassle.
Durable fixtures and surfaces cost more at the start, but they keep the bathroom looking good and working properly for much longer, which serves both your comfort and your home’s value.