5 Ways to add serious value to your bathroom

11/01/2019

The bathroom might not be the first place a potential buyer will look, but they’ll certainly make their way there. For many, the aesthetic and function of the bathroom is the most important place in the house.

While renovating other rooms in the house can be incredibly costly, making improvements to the bathroom is relatively cheap and simple. Sure, some additions will be more expensive than others, but you can undoubtedly find a way to improve your home’s value within your budget.

Ahead, we’ll take a look at five ways you can draw some real value from your bathroom, whether or not you intend to sell anytime soon.

1. Focus on fixtures

Fixtures are a bathroom staple and one that most prospective buyers will look at as soon as they enter. A leaky faucet is a massive turn-off, as it’s something that the buyer will have to fix right away.

Attractive, well-maintained fixtures provide a completely different aesthetic. Reworking your sink can add a ton of value to the bathroom, and it’s something you can complete on a tight budget.

If you want to add some more value to your faucet area, consider adding a second one. Two sinks will add value to your bathroom and can be a selling point if you put your home on the market.

Of course, you’ll have to work within your size constraints with this one.

2. Bring in the light

A well-lit bathroom can add value without a high price tag.

You’ll have to work within a combination of natural light, artificial light, and mirrors. Commonly, people choose to source light from their ceiling and/or from lights on top of the mirror.

Look for LED bulbs in cool white or daylight colours. These bulbs use less energy and can brighten up the room.

Larger mirrors carry light well and can add to the attractiveness of a bathroom. Don’t neglect the windows, either. Well-lit bathrooms should ideally have windows to provide natural light during the day. We recommend adding one if your budget allows for it.

3. Add storage

Adding storage to your bathroom is a surefire way to increase value. Of course, the storage has to fit, look good, and enhance the overall space.

Instead of sticking to a closet and under-sink cabinets, get more creative. Use vertical space where you can, and include a cabinet or two off the floor.

You will have to work within size and budget, but adding storage is an easy way to get more out of your space.

4. Properly vent your bathroom

This improvement doesn’t immediately affect the aesthetics of your bathroom, but it can have a real impact on the space.

Ventilation fans in the bathroom help get rid of moisture and keep air circulating. This will add to the quality of the air in the room and reduce the risk of unsightly mould development.

Air circulation will also help protect other additions you make to your bathroom, such as fixtures and cabinets. Replacing an old exhaust fan can do wonders for the longevity and the value of your bathroom.

5. Heat it up

Heating sources—such as heated towel racks and heated tiles—are some of the best ways to make your bathroom more comfortable. You’ll never want to go back once you step out of a hot shower onto warm tiles, or wrap yourself in a cosy towel off of the rack in winter.

Your budget will dictate the feasibility of these additions. Towel racks can be more affordable than heated tiles, but both are fantastic choices.

Heated tiles are great because you’ll be able to experience the immediate benefit. Sure, you’ll be adding value to your bathroom, but you’ll also be experiencing the improvements every time you get out of the shower.

Working within your constraints

Two of the biggest challenges you will likely face in your bathroom renovations include size and financial constraints.

Renovating a small bathroom can be tricky, so focus on improvements to fixtures and lighting rather than tackling larger projects. One strategy to help maximise the space, however, is to remove the bathtub.

A walk-in shower is fine for most people, and you can make it look even better than your shower-tub combination if you have a small bathroom. This increases the amount of space you have and allows you to add more storage or other items.

Another solution to this problem is to add a second, smaller bathroom in another part of the house. Put a basic toilet and a sink in this room, and upgrade the main bathroom. This will add value to your home as well.

Budget is another huge consideration that usually goes hand-in-hand with size.

You won’t be able to move things around and rework the plumbing if money is a concern for you. Stick to smaller improvements, and you’ll be able to add value without breaking the bank.

Disclaimer: while due care is taken, the viewpoints expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Your Investment Property.