There are many upgrades you can make to your home that will increase your home’s value while at the same time adding functionality and a fresh new look. Bathroom upgrades are one of the most common remodeling projects. If you’re planning on an upgrade for your bathroom this year, here are some value-increasing ideas to improve your new bathroom’s functionality, comfort, and design.
1. Mirrored Medicine Cabinets
Mirrors in general add depth and style to any room, and a mirrored medicine cabinet can add not only an improved design, but functionality as well. This design upgrade is especially ideal for bathrooms with limited storage space and limited space in general.
If you don’t have any available wall space, then you can convert your above-sink mirror into a mirrored medicine cabinet for increased function on the sly. If you’re not too keen on having a medicine cabinet that sticks out from the wall, a recessed medicine cabinet is also an option.
2. A Hidden-Tank Toilet
Hidden-tank toilets have three key benefits:
- Space-saving design – The tank and vessel are inside the wall making this a great option for smaller bathrooms.
- Works for all bathroom styles – No matter the age and style of your home, this will option will most likely work well.
- Low-flow models available – Saves water when flushing, which is a feature potential home buyers will love, should you decide to go with a low-flow model.
One thing to consider about this design is that it can be difficult to fix any tank-related issues because the tank will be inside the wall. Be sure to consult with your designer about the pros and cons before adding this feature to your plans.
3. Glass Shower Doors
Glass shower doors provide an instant design upgrade for your bathroom. And if you already have or are planning to have a beautiful design in the tile of your shower wall and floor, transparent shower doors will make sure that work of art doesn’t get overlooked.
Shower enclosures don’t have to be perfectly clear, however. While these can automatically open up and brighten your bathroom, they are lacking in privacy. If this is a concern for you, consider frosted or textured glass. Installing a frameless shower door is another way to create a sleek, modern look in your bathroom. The sky’s the limit with design options if you’re considering replacing your old shower doors with new glass ones.
4. Heated Floors
If you’re thinking about updating the tile floor in your bathroom, then you may wish to consider adding a heating element underneath. Few things are as unpleasant as a cold tile floor first thing in the morning, which means creating a heated floor will make your home experience that much more pleasant. Plus, this can be a big incentive for buyers whenever you choose to sell the home.
5. Shower Windows
An excellent way to add more natural light to your bathroom is by having a window installed in the shower. While showering during the day, you will not need to use your lights, which saves on electricity and it will instantly brighten up your bathroom without installing new fixtures. Additionally, if you decided to install a beautiful frameless shower door with clear glass, the light from the shower window will help create a brighter and more open bathroom space.
This is an absolutely stunning design and if all you do to your bathroom is add a shower window and glass shower doors, you will add instant design and function and it will be a priceless bathroom upgrade that will be hard to pass up.
6. New Lighting Features
Even if you install an extra window or two, your bathroom will still need light at night. If you feel like your bathroom needs new light fixtures to help add more light after the sun goes down, consider pendant or chandelier lighting to add a touch of elegance. These particular fixtures may not work in all bathroom spaces, however, take the time to shop around and consider upgrading the design to suit your design preferences, lighting needs, and budget to see what works for you.
For functionality with lighting, consider having a dimmer function installed if your bathroom has a tub. This feature can add a relaxing ambience when taking a bath, or allow for needed illumination without blinding during midnight trips to the toilet.
If you are looking to sell your home in the near future, keep your potential buyer’s tastes in mind. You can consult with a designer or even your realtor on this to see what they suggest. When in doubt, go for clean and generic, yet trendy.
7. Simple Functionality Options
If you’re on a budget and you are happy with your bathroom’s overall look and design, there are some simple additions you can add to improve the functionality and overall look and feel of your bathroom.
- Grab bars – This is a great safety feature to install if you have children or more elderly people living in your home, however, slipping in the bathtub is a common accident so you really cannot go wrong with adding grab bars for even just yourself.
- Towel hooks – Adding additional towel hooks and/or new towel hooks will allow more space for hanging towels, guest towels, bathrobes, and pajamas. You can add them in convenient locations and even choose the design to change the overall look and feel of your bathroom.
- Drawer pulls – This is a very inexpensive and simple way to upgrade the style of your bathroom. Drawer pulls come in a variety of styles and colors which give your drawers and vanity area an immediate and stylish facelift.
Upgrading your bathroom should add style, functionality, and efficiency to help make your home a more comfortable place to live. It takes careful budgeting and planning to create the right amount of function and design in any space so you don’t want to waste your time or money. This is especially true for anyone planning on selling their home for a profit in the near future. If you cannot afford to go all out, do smaller upgrades first and work your way up from there.
