How to Add Value to your Home When Upgrading your Bathroom
A bold contemporary bathroom complete with on-trend fixtures and excellent storage can bring modern appeal to your home as well as improve its functionality.
Aside from the functional and visual benefits, breathing new life into a dull, dated, or potentially damaged bathroom is a fantastic way to increase the price of your property. This is why the bathroom is one of the most popular rooms when it comes to home renovation projects when looking for a return on your investment. Given this it won’t be a surprise seeing how much time we spend in the bathroom throughout the day.
Luckily, Bathroom Planet has researched the top ways to add value to your home when updating your bathroom. Let’s run through their findings just now.
Brighten your Bathroom with a Large Mirror
Our first tip is to install a large mirror in your bathroom. This can bring a sense of space, make your bathroom feel bright and incredibly welcoming. If possible try to reflect natural light which will help draw it into the space.
The good news is that adding a new mirror to your bathroom is an incredibly inexpensive upgrade. You can expect to pay around £90 to £100 for a bathroom mirror from a premium bathroom brand. It will also be particularly effective in smaller bathrooms where space is a premium.
Increase your Bathroom Storage
Extra bathroom storage is an excellent way to bring a functional edge to your bathroom. Everyone in your household will be looking for a little space in your bathroom. Upgrading this feature also has the added benefit of making your bathroom more attractive to potential buyers.
There are many types of bathroom storage to choose from depending on your requirements and space available.This includes shelving, vanity units, bathroom cupboards or cabinets.
For those looking for a large amount of additional storage you consider upgrading your vanity unit or adding cupboards or cabinets. For maximum benefit you’d be best going for a floorstanding model over a wall hung. While wall hung does bring a modern appeal it is attached to the wall with a space underneath, this means less storage space. If you’re on a tight budget you’ll be able to pick up a vanity unit for as little as £300 to £400. This can go well about £1000 if you are looking for one of the larger models.
Cupboards and cabinets designed for your bathroom come in all shapes and sizes. There is a solution no matter the space you have available. For smaller bathrooms you might want to look at a tall unit. This style of cabinet is fairly slim but generally measures around 1800-1900mm high taking advantage of the height of your bathroom.
Other than this style of cabinet you can have bathroom cupboards or fitted furniture that can be wall mounted. By having your storage on the wall it can make the room feel a little large and project a contemporary vibe. Fitted furniture can also be used to make up all of your bathroom furniture including a toilet unit if you are looking to create a refined pulled-together feel in your bathroom.
And for those who do not have much space available there are shelves. Bathroom shelving is very cost effective and can be added to even the tightest of spaces.
Upgrade your Brassware
Upgrading your basin or bath taps is another excellent way to bring a modern edge to your bathroom.
What your options are will depend on your current basin or bath. For example, if you have a two tap hole bath with pillar taps you’ll want to look at other two tap hole solutions. This is where you could replace it with a basin mixer that brings the hot and cold water flows through a single spout. No more adding a little hot and cold to run the perfect bath.
This upgrade is also simple and inexpensive to do. You’ll be able to pick up a brand new tap for as little as £40 to £50, or up to several hundred pounds. Of course, the cheaper models will work well but for a truly stunning addition to your bathroom you would be well served looking at Roca, Vitra, or Ideal Standard’s brassware offering for a luxurious example.
Invest in a New Shower
There is nothing quite like starting your day with a powerful, high-end shower. Given this, it’s fair to say that a new shower can be an excellent place to add value to your bathroom.
There are a few things to consider with this element of your bathroom. Think about what similar properties in your market have and who would be looking to purchase it. As in, if you have a three bedroom house with one family bathroom and look to replace the bath with a walk-in shower that might not work for a young family.
If you are looking to add a new shower there are several models to choose from. Options here include concealed and exposed mixer valves which can be connected to slide rail kits or shower heads that protrude from further up your wall or ceiling from an arm. Where there is a choice we would recommend choosing a concealed shower valve for a more minimalist appeal as it hides the pipework behind the wall. You will want to opt for a thermostatic model to have added protection from scalding.
You will pay around £500 for a high-quality shower and then the cost of a plumber to install it.
If you are replacing an electric shower with a modern solution like the showers detailed above you’ll never want to go back.
Bring a Luxurious Feel with a Bath
A luxurious bath can bring a chic, modern feel to any space. This part of a bathroom can be critical for families with small children, or for those who enjoy finishing off their day with a long relaxing soak.
There are many styles of bath available to choose from that includes freestanding, back to wall, corner, and shower baths to name a few of the most popular styles. Of course, there are specific situations for each style of bath mentioned.
If you have a large spacious bathroom a freestanding bath could be a great choice. No matter if you are looking for something contemporary or a bit more classically styled. There are options for all. It can be a centrepiece in any bathroom.
Corner models can be a lifesaver in a small space. Uniquely designed to sit right in the corner of a room, this type of bath is perfect when space is an issue.
Then there are the incredibly popular shower baths. These baths offer the best of both worlds being designed with showering in mind too. They often are wider at one end to offer more space when showering and have the option of being combined with a bath screen to help stop water from escaping.
The cost of a new bath can be as little as £200 for a decent model or as high as £2500 if you are looking for one of the most high end models.
Time to Upgrade your Bathroom
Now that you know which parts of your bathroom to focus on to upgrade your bathroom, you are surely ready to get started with this DIY project.
The benefits are clear even if you are only looking to improve the appearance and function for your own needs day to day. Improvements made in your bathroom can also help with the sale of your property. Ideal Home had a quote from the sales director of Purple Bricks that it can help the sale of a property nine out of ten times.
If you are just looking to bring the price of your property up then the good news is that you can expect between four and five percent added to your home’s value.