Bathroom Renovations

Overall

Bathroom renovations can be costly when not budgeting and focusing on the right items, but if done correctly and financially efficient this has major contributory value when it comes to an appraisal.

Vanities

When remolding an older home, finding the right vanity really isn’t too difficult. Local hardware stores like Lowes and Home Depot have a pretty solid selection at a reasonable price. If you are in a smaller square footage bathroom, you will want to focus on design and storage capabilities. For very small bathrooms (usually half baths) you may want to consider a stylish pedestal sink. Hardware will also be another important consideration. This should match the color and style of your other fixtures in the bathroom.

You will also need to consider if you have space for a double sink vanity. This is of course ideal for any master bathroom, but it is also ideal for at least one spare bathroom for resale purposes (i.e., this is great for kids sharing a bathroom).

Flooring

Unless you have some original wood floors or want to take minimizing thresholds to the next level, we would always recommend a tile for durability and budget purposes. You will also want to use a large size tile to minimize grout lines. Some people actually use a backsplash for their flooring in a bathroom as well. This can add a lot of character if done correctly. If you go this route, you may want to simplify the rest of your bathroom design.

Backsplash

There are so many different types of backsplash to add some design to a bathroom and stray from the generic drywall aesthetic. Subway Tile is an easy and great upgrade. You can use it virtually anywhere (kitchen or bathroom backsplash) but it is especially great in a bathroom shower.

Fixtures

Go modern. Make sure your sink faucets, trashcan, soap dispenser (if not built in), and light fixture all have the same color (i.e., silver, nickel, brushed nickel, gold, copper, etc.). We typically recommend a modern look with brushed nickel, against a subway tile backsplash, and then using a more busy flooring pattern to add character.

Walk in Shower vs. Tub

Depending on the number of bathrooms in your home, you may need to consider whether a Walk in Shower or a Tub is better. For resale purposes, you always want to have a spare bathroom with a tub as this is ideal for young children. With that said, a much more modern, cleaner look is a walk in shower with a piece of fixed glass barrier and a swinging glass door.

Another consideration would be a freestanding tub. If you have the space, this is of course functional after a stressful day, but also a great center accent piece for any large bathroom. This would usually be the case for master bathrooms in most homes.

Mirrors

The type of mirror you get will depend on whether you have a single or double sink vanity. It’s becoming much trendier to use two separate rectangular mirrors with a slight neutral colored bevel and rounded corners. You could also go with a single horizontal piece of glass with hard corners. These usually look better with a thicker bevel (usually wood - we recommend a distressed looking wood).