Real estate agents agree, the bathroom is one of the spaces that sell a house. If it’s optimally functional and aesthetically pleasing, it will be a major selling point. The opposite is true. No matter how many other boxes your home checks, like prime location, good size, social amenities and safety, an unappealing bathroom puts off buyers or renters.
Even if your house isn’t for sale or rent, bathroom upgrades go a long way for a variety reasons:
Improved Energy Efficiency
Technology has changed everything including how bathrooms function. On the top tier of Smart bathrooms are Smart toilets. They are compact, have touch-free automatic lids, are self-cleaning and have night lights among other digitally controlled features. Other Smart bathroom fixtures are interactive LED mirrors, adjustable privacy glass on windows, high-intensity LED chromotherapy lights and floor heating systems.
Apart from being convenient, these and other Smart or digital bathroom fixtures are very energy efficient. For instance, Smart showers allow for water temperature, shower duration and flow rate to be programmed, which also controls energy consumption. Radiant floor heating reduces energy consumption because it uses very little energy to adequately warm floors. There are also Smart thermostats that can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 15%.
Eco-Friendly Options
A bathroom upgrade is also a chance to make a switch to eco-friendly fittings and fixtures. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends WaterSense toilets. An improvement on low-flow toilets, these reduce water used for flushing by 20 to 60%. WaterSense shower heads are another recommendation. They can save the average family 2,700 gallons of water annually along with savings on water heating.
Improved Safety
A bathroom upgrade provides a chance to enhance safety. Some good safety features include a non-slip finish on bathtubs and grab bars on showers and tubs. A shower bench or stool for those with stability and mobility problems would also be helpful. A hand-held shower that can be used while seated adds even more safety.
Adequate Storage
It may be a small room but a lot of items go into your bathroom: bath towels, toiletries, toilet paper, cleaning products and medication that can sometimes be found in a mirrored cabinet that’s wall-mounted. Adding a larger vanity, perhaps with double sinks, and more cabinets, drawers or shelves ensures there’s a place for everything so the counters remain clutter-free.
A Better-Looking Bathroom
Making the changes above is an opportune chance to lift the aesthetic of your bathroom. Smart fixtures have a sleek, futuristic look and cabinets, mirrors, wall and floor tiles can be chosen to enhance style. Smaller items like soap dispensers, soap holders and toilet paper holders can also be stylish. The same is true for bath towels which can be artistically displayed.
Big Results on a Budget
Perhaps your bathroom is in dire need of an upgrade but the cost puts you off. The good news is that with a few wise moves, you can get big results in your bathroom, even on a budget. Keeping the following in mind, you can get looks and functionality for less:
1) Planning and Prioritizing
Start with one fixture like the vanity, toilet, shower head or cabinets then move on to the next one. Plan around what needs to be done according to what is most urgent like a leaking toilet or faucet. As you plan, compare the prices of different brands and outlets to get the best prices and create a realistic budget.
2) Start Small and Work Your Way Up
Start with something as simple as painting your bathroom and changing your mirrors as you work towards bigger enhancements. Buy a new set of bath towels, fold them artistically and display them in a glass door cabinet or shelf. Even small, inexpensive accessories like shower curtains and rugs can refresh the look of a room.
3) Choose Pocket-Friendly Options
There are a lot of options out there for everything from bathtubs, shower stalls, faucets, tiles and more. A good plan would be to look for items that make for a worthwhile investment over time, like water and energy-saving WaterSense toilets and shower heads. Then, get the look with alternatives that replicate the look when it comes to larger surfaces like counters, walls and floors. For instance, you can go for ceramic or porcelain tiles instead of stone ones like marble and granite. When it comes to floors, consider vinyl or laminate rather than tiles or hardwood. Unlimited options and ideas are available online or in stores.
4) DIY Whenever Possible
Cut bathroom upgrade costs by handling some tasks yourself. Paint the walls and install hardware like shower heads, faucets and lighting fixtures. If you can’t, ask family and friends if they can help to eliminate this cost.
5) Leave the Big Jobs to the Experts
For the sake of safety and efficiency, leave big jobs to the experts. A bathroom with water-running fixtures and electricity-powered lighting and water heating can become a hazardous place if installations are done incorrectly. Some jobs are serious and should only be trusted to a trained and knowledgeable professional. Tub and tile reglazing can be extremely unsafe if not handled properly because of the chemicals that are used.
If you live in or around New York City, the experts you can count on for professional and affordable bathroom refinishing is Supreme Bath Refinishing. This skilled team has been upgrading and turning bathrooms into art since 2000. Bring your old bathroom to life with a bathtub resurfacing instead of buying a new tub. Refinish sinks, vanities, shower stalls and recoil to dramatically improve your space. For optimal safety, treat bathtubs with a non-slip finish and repair bathtub drains.
With services you can rely on, refinish major bathroom fixtures rather than purchase new ones. This approach works well for your pocket and the environment. Work your way up to long-term changes like investing in Smart technology or eco-friendly brands.
Get started on transforming your bathroom today. Supreme Bath Refinishing can turn your space into one reminiscent of a peaceful oasis where you can unwind and wash away the stresses and cares of your day. Supreme results and satisfaction are the goal!
