Ask any real estate agent or financial adviser and they’ll say the best investment out there is putting money back into your home. It’s your biggest purchase (this side of a Lamborghini) and thus eventually your biggest sale.
So where do I spend on home improvement? Eight out of ten contractors will say in the kitchen because it is the focal point of a property. Master bedroom renovations are profitable too, but what is a room in your home that each resident and nearly every guest uses? The bathroom.
Bathroom renovations might not sound like a worthwhile area to invest in. That budget could be better off used in creating a man cave or turning that spare bedroom into a craft room, right? Sure, but here are also some reasons why renovating your bathroom is more rewarding than you think.
Creating a Sanctuary
Bathrooms are functional for sure, but they don’t have to be “get in and get out.” There’s nothing wrong with enjoying what can be a very peaceful time in the bathroom.
Instead of cold, plain, bland tile, imagine your bathroom smelling like lavender, having soft accent lighting, and with neutral décor that is relaxing and inviting.
We think of finished basements or upstairs media rooms as the spots that really offer the improved quality of living in a home. But how often do you use those areas? Weekends? Random Tuesday nights? You use the bathroom many times a day.
So Many Options
Bathroom renovations don’t sound all that appealing, but that’s because most homeowners think of it as putting in a new toilet and vanity and being done with the process. There are so many options out there to customize a bathroom though, including:
- Bath Tub – Watch any home improvement or house-flipping show – tubs matter. You’re going to spend some money on your bathroom renovation, but one way to feel better about that is with a nice relaxing soak. According to those shows, bathtubs are a selling point that greatly improves your market value.
- Dual Sinks – We’ve seen his or her towels, but now two sinks are almost minimum in a bathroom renovation. The convenience of dual sinks is something many homeowners are accustomed to.
- More Space – You don’t have to just renovate the existing bathroom, you can create a whole new layout. Knocking down some walls to create more space or just moving pipes to make a more convenient traffic path or privacy porthole are all part of the process.
- Technology Integrated – Never miss a moment of the game or the final minutes of a singing competition vote with a mirror TV. How about LED lights in your walk-in shower? A warming drawer for a toasty towel after your soak? We can do that. Setting shower temps from your phone before you enter? Yes. Heated floors? Certainly. Wine chiller under the vanity? Doable as well.
More Accessible
In commercial construction, amenities have to be considered for individuals of all different capabilities and accessibility levels. Light switches need to be at a certain height, there needs to be enough space to turn a wheelchair or walker around, there should be a lot of bracing, etc.
There’s no reason not to incorporate that into a residential bathroom remodel, even if you don’t need it now. If you’re getting the room down to the bare bones anyways, there’s no sense in not making it accessible in case of future health woes, if an older relative visits or moves in, or for potential buyers that may have a family member with a disability.
Energy Efficiency
A lot of home renovation projects pay you back in the long term by increasing your home’s market value. But with how much water and energy your bathroom uses you can start recouping payback in the first month.
Let’s look at the very simplest bathroom renovation, you don’t have to run an exhaust fan and you’ll prevent mold growth just by having a window installed if there’s not already one there. Privacy glass can be used to maintain that sense of calm.
Bathroom renovations work great for reducing water consumption as well. Low flow faucets and toilets pay themselves off, and even something as simple as a shower timer can really start reducing your carbon footprint. Many homeowners make money off their bathroom renovations eventually.
Making the Space Memorable to Buyers
Every floor plan has an open concept and a breakfast bar now. So much so that these are indistinguishable aspects to home buyers. With an exquisite bathroom renovation, you create a selling point that future buyers cannot forget.
A bathtub, heated floors, creative lighting, and some technological upgrades are things that a future buyer will remember.
You can enjoy your renovation now, but also get paid for the project when the time comes to sell your home and you subsequently need to remodel your new property.
Yes, a kitchen is very important, so is a master bedroom, but they won’t get nearly the usage (or the compliments) as a bathroom renovation.
