The last segment in our blog series, 4 Ways to Update Your Home in 2019, is dedicated to bathroom remodel. If you’re like most people, you have dreams of steam showers, over-sized soaking tubs, heated floors and custom double vanities with storage galore. And like most people, you don’t have anywhere near the amount of additional space needed to accommodate your dream bath. Don’t fret, there are still plenty of ways to create a beautiful modern bathroom space in your home!
Right up there with updating your kitchen, a bath remodel is one of the most effective ways to increase the resale value of your home. However, there are two key points to consider. First, don’t dump a ton of money into remodeling a bathroom if it’s the only one you’ve got. Everyone loves the charm of a Southern California Craftsman, but oftentimes they only come equipped with one bathroom. In these instances, your money is better spent adding a second bath (even if it’s just a small 3/4 bath). In fact, A National Association of Realtors study found that adding a bathroom increased the sale price of a home by 8.7 percent, more than twice the rate for adding a bedroom.
Secondly, spend your money remodeling your bathroom to YOUR specifications! Don’t be afraid to opt for a large walk-in shower for fear of giving up a tub that you will rarely use! Many of my clients feel that they have to keep a tub in their bathroom for resale purposes. While it’s true that having a traditional “full bath” with a tub will appeal to prospective home buyers with small children, it’s not for everyone. Many people would much rather have a stunning, over-sized walk-in shower. According to our resident expert realtor, Evan Morris, “..people get more excited over well-designed bathrooms that fit their needs. Putting in a tub just for the sake of having one is seen as a waste of space to some buyers.”
As suggested in our kitchen blog, we HIGHLY recommend consulting with an architect or designer before starting your bathroom remodel. There are many elements to consider with a project of this scope, and hiring an expert will save you a considerable amount of time and money! Another important suggestion that we give to all of our clients – GET A PERMIT! Un-permitted bathrooms are virtually worthless when it comes to resale value, no matter what your cut-rate contractor tells you. It may mean a little more money spent up front, but if it can make a $20k-$30k difference to your sale price, what’s a few hundred dollars for a permit?
Once you’ve consulted with your designer, and have hired a licensed contractor, it’s time for the fun part; choosing all the finishes and fixtures that will make your new bathroom sparkle! Going with a lighter paint color or tile on the walls will keep your space feeling bright and spacious. A darker graphic tile on the floor will create contrast and add just that extra bit of interest to the room. Remember to opt for glass walls instead of drywall as a separator between the shower and other areas of the bathroom. This will allow for more light to enter the space – another trick to making a small bathroom seem larger and more spacious. As for fixtures, we recommend staying away from polished chrome or nickel. While they look nice in a brand new bathroom, they will be stained with water spots and calcification in no time. We recommend brushed nickel or aluminum instead, and suggest that you coordinate your cabinet pulls with the fixtures.
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