Renovation means different things to different people. If you are preparing to sell your home, taking a close look at your bathroom and deciding the best approach to take might not mean tearing the whole thing out and starting from scratch. You have to take into consideration the overall value of your home and how making improvements to the bathrooms will add value to your property. Here are a few tips to consider when asking yourself, “should I renovate the bathroom before selling? 
Consult a Realtor and Contractor
If you are seriously ready to put your home on the market, you have probably already hired a realtor. Realtors are experienced and up to date on what the housing market trends are. Your realtor has close relationships with contractors and interior designers. With their help, the realtor will have the information to evaluate your neighborhood, what the values of the homes are and consult you on what the best way is to approach your bathroom update. A total expensive remodel is not necessary if it won’t increase the sale price of the home. They will be able to offer advice that makes financial sense for your upgrade. Maybe it will be as simple as a fresh coat of paint, new light fixtures, or other updates.
A Fresh Coat of Paint
Regardless of whether you plan a total bathroom remodel or not, a fresh coat of paint will make your bathroom look clean and updated. Neutral, solid colors have the greatest appeal because as potential buyers tour your home, they will imagine how their furniture and home accents will fit into the picture. If the paint is neutral, it is easier for them.
Replace Light Fixtures
Light fixtures are another quick, inexpensive update for your bathroom. Both overhead lighting and wall light fixtures provide ambiance and focal points for the bathroom. Evaluate the age of your light fixtures and their condition. Do they go with today’s trends? Are they scratched, broken and out of working order? Replacing a light fixture is another easy update to elevate the value of the bathroom and make it look fresh and clean.
Open Up The Space
Take a look at the functionality of your bathroom. If there are many things crammed into a small space, consider this. If there is a standing shower and a bathtub, remove the tub and add a sitting area. Most people prefer showers to baths, so the bathtub may not be necessary. This is true, especially if there are other bathrooms in the home that have bathtubs. This will make the overall look of the space bigger, more open, and aesthetically appealing.
Fix Every Little Thing
Inspect your bathrooms for everything that is wrong or broken. Look around with new eyes and think like a buyer. This includes fixing leaky sinks, broken toilets, loud exhaust fans, and squeaky doors. If there is any sign of mold or mildew, correct it. Clean the shower doors from top to bottom so there is no soap residue, scum or moisture present. These little issues that you have overlooked could make the potential buyer think you didn’t care for the home. They may question if there could be other hidden issues they missed. Taking time to correct all the little home improvements you have put on the back burner, could result in a more positive outcome.
Replace the Flooring
Is the flooring in your bathroom showing signs of wear and tear? Are a few of the tiles cracked or discolored? Is the grout in the tile cracked? If there is outdated carpeting, it is definitely time to replace the flooring. There are a variety of quality, inexpensive bathroom flooring options on the market like large tile and wood-looking flooring. New bathroom flooring will instantly update and refresh the space while adding value to your home.
Add A Touch of Personality
Adding a few new accessories to your bathroom update will provide a touch of personality and interior design. You will only need a few things to accomplish this. Floor plants, fresh new towels, fresh window treatments, and a new mirror above the vanity/sink are ideas that are welcoming. It is very important to keep all of your personal bathroom necessities hidden from view. This includes toothbrushes, combs and brushes, shaving kits, and make-up bags that will clutter the area.
Total Renovation
A total renovation of a bathroom might be necessary to increase the desirability and value of your home. If this is the case, research the latest trends in bathroom design. Extra features like heated flooring, extending the bathroom to make it larger, oversized wall tiles, and wood-look flooring could make a big difference to the buyer. Work with your realtor, interior designer, and contractor to design an updated bathroom that may be the catalyst to selling your home to the highest bidder.
The experts at Columbus Bath Design can help you decide what bathroom updates will help you get the most dollars and sense for your home. Contact us today and let’s get started.
