Bathroom Remodel Ideas That Add Value & Make Your Home Stand Out

We often get asked if a bathroom remodel really adds value to your home. The short answer is yes, especially if you’re focusing on the right things. Value is subjective. Of course, there’s financial value, which is what a lot of homeowners are concerned about. But there’s also added value when it comes to your physical health and safety, emotional and mental well-being, and long-term savings and improvements. There are a couple areas to look at if you want to get the most value out of your remodel…

• Repairs and replacements. This focuses on fixing major plumbing issues, health hazards, and efficiency issues that, if not addressed, can lead to big problems and cost you money.
  
• Safety and accessibility. This is a long-term investment focused on making your bathroom safer and more user-friendly for you or your loved ones moving forward.
• Space and functionality. This focuses on making your bathroom more usable for you now and fitting the space to your current lifestyle. What worked for you a few years ago may not work as your household grows, shrinks, or changes. 
• Cosmetic. Finally, cosmetic upgrades focus simply on expressing your style and taste and making the bathroom look great. These types of updates can have a big impact not only on your emotions and well-being as you’re using the space, but also add value if you’re looking to sell your home in the near future.  

Of course, there’s some overlap and you may have a variety of reasons for considering a bathroom renovation. Whatever the case may be, let’s dive a little deeper and look at some of the different bathroom remodel ideas that can add value to your home. 

Areas to look at if you want to get the most value out of your remodel

Repairs & replacements

Repairs and replacement-focused bathroom remodeling or upgrades add value to your home simply by making your bathroom safer and more efficient. A lot of plumbing issues may seem minor, but they’re a lot more serious for both your health and your wallet than you might think. 

Here are a few issues you might want to consider addressing as part of your bathroom remodeling project:

• Fix leaks. Did you know that, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, you could save up to 10% on your water bill by fixing common leaks in your home? Check out our tips for detecting leaks in your Fox Cities Home.
  
• Tackle mold & mildew. Moisture in your bathroom is a breeding ground for mold and mildew, especially in hard-to-clean surfaces like grout or where leaking pipes and faucets have been an issue. This can cause serious long-term health issues if not properly dealt with, particularly for those with allergies and other preexisting conditions. When you remodel, you can fully deal with any mold or mildew issues and opt for materials that are easier to keep clean, such as acrylic or glass. 
• Repair cracks and uneven surfaces. Old, outdated bathrooms often have cracked tiles, chipped ceramic or porcelain fixtures, and uneven or bowed flooring. All of these pose additional risks for slipping and other injuries. 
• Update inefficient fixtures. When was the last time your bathroom got an efficiency upgrade? Simply upgrading to energy-efficient lighting, water-saving faucets and toilets, and other environmentally-friendly bathroom fixtures can save Fox Cities homeowners on utilities and have a huge environmental impact.

Overall, fixing these types of issues before they lead to bigger, ongoing problems will save you money in the long-run and make your bathroom a safer, more pleasant spot in your home. 

Safety & accessibility improvements

There’s no denying that bathrooms can be dangerous, especially as we age and are at increased risk of injury from falling on those slippery floors. If you plan to stay in your home into retirement and beyond, planning ahead and investing in safety and accessibility upgrades for your bathroom is definitely a smart move. In general, we call this universal design or aging in place, because it makes your bathroom safer and usable for people of all ages and abilities. 

Some potential safety and accessibility remodeling ideas include:

• Walk-in showers & tubs. A walk-in shower or walk-in tub to minimize falling risk and muscle strain from stepping over the side of the tub.
  
• Grab bars. Additional grab bars to increase stability when getting in and out of the bathtub or shower or up off the toilet.
  
• Raised toilet seats. Raised toilet seats to prevent strain on your knees and back.
  
• Shower and transfer benches. Benches to aid in transferring and that allow you to sit if standing is an issue.
  
• Handheld shower-heads. Hand-held shower heads reduce strain and slipping risk from standing or stretching.
  
• New vanity or sink. Adjusting your vanity or sink height to reduce strain on your back or allow for wheelchair or walker access.
  
• Touchless faucets. Adding touchless faucets if gripping handles is difficult.
  
• So many more!

The list goes on here. Overall, accessibility upgrades will make your bathroom safer both now and in the long term and may save you thousands on potential medical bills. 

Functionality and space-saving design

Your family is bound to change over time. What worked at one point may not be a good fit for your current situation — especially as we are all spending more time at home and adjusting to this new normal thanks to COVID-19. From a full bathroom renovation that increases square footage to a few fixture upgrades, there’s a lot you can do to increase the functionality of your bathroom to fit your needs. 

• Upgrade your vanity. Upgrade to a double-sink vanity to allow more people to use the space at once. 
• Walk-in shower. Opt for a smaller walk-in shower that looks great and saves space and time in comparison to a tub or traditional shower/tub combo. Glass shower doors can also help make a small bathroom appear larger.
• Soaking tub. Add a soaking tub to relax and unwind after a long day of work. In general, bathtubs are also popular and convenient for parents with young kids.
• More storage. Increase storage options with shelving, closets, vanity upgrades, and more.
• Hand-held showerheads. Add hand-held showerheads and faucets for an overall better showering experience and easier bathing of children and pets.

Cosmetic upgrades

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a bathroom remodel simply for the sake of modernizing it and making it fit your style. Cosmetic upgrades can have a big impact, both emotionally and financially, especially if you’re spending more time at home nowadays or looking to sell your home in the near future. 

• Change up the color. Updating the color scheme in your bathroom can go a long way to making it feel like a new, modern space. The nice thing is, that changing the color can be as simple and affordable as a new shower curtain or paint job or as complex as custom tile work or new countertops. Bold colors are definitely one of the top bathroom remodeling trends of 2020.
• Upgrade your bathroom fixtures. From faucets to door handles to lighting, upgrading your bathroom fixtures can go a long way in making your bathroom seem more modern.
• Do a tub-to-shower conversion. If your bathtub looks outdated or isn’t working for your family, a tub-to-shower bathroom conversion from Watters can give your bathroom a whole new look in as little as one day. The new shower unit is custom-designed to fit right over your existing bath unit for an easy, no-stress upgrade. 

Whatever your lifestyle or specific needs, a bathroom remodel can help you get the most use and joy out of the space. If you’re ready to start designing the bathroom of your dreams and add value to your home, let’s chat. 

Request an estimate or give us a call.

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