When it comes to increasing value to your property, the experts in real estate will agree that to upgrades in the bathroom and kitchen almost certainly guarantee profitable returns.
If you’re considering making your home more appealing to home buyers, then one of the first places to start is in the bathroom. With countless accessories and fixtures on the market, making a decision that will ultimately allow you to reap the rewards can be overwhelming.
When it comes to bathroom design, what do most people really want? Would choosing a spacious whirlpool bathtub over a traditional bath be financially beneficial in the long haul?
Wouldn’t designing your bathroom be much easier if you were armed with a guideline of what of potential homebuyers were looking for? If you’re going to re-design your bathroom, get it right the first time round to avoid flushing away your hard-earned cash.
Hello simplicity
As far back as the 1960s, much focus was placed on bold colors in the bathroom. Patterned wall tiles and over-the-top colors were the trend, along with plastic. Plastic bathroom décor was all the rage, from bold orange, olive green, mustard yellow and chocolate brown colored toothbrush, soap and towel holders, to thick patterned plastic shower curtains with bright colors of the boldest nature.
As years moved on, the 1970s and early 1980s became a period when gold bathroom fixtures and furnishing, such as faucets, towel rails and toilet roll holders, were considered very stylish. These ostentatious gold trimmed features were all the rage, and bathroom décor was ‘loud’. Along with this were those once delightful bathroom suites in colors orange, coral pink, and chocolate brown. Bathroom color and design has changed dramatically over the past decade, and colors have become more neutral, sometimes with a hint of color that adds a complementary flair to the overall scheme.
Of the hundreds of people who took part in Plumbworld’s recent bathroom survey, an overwhelming 82 per cent said they “hated” the once popular chocolate brown and coral pink bathroom suites, colors remnant of 1970s and 1980s, which are typically characterized as being gloomy and dull.
According to the survey, chrome and nickel bathroom fixtures were much preferred to gold. So, when designing and decorating your bathroom keep those dark colors at bay, consider more neutral suites, and opt for chrome fixings and furnishings instead of flashy gold.
Shower power
When planning the design of your bathroom, one of the most important things to also consider is placing a shower. Some bathrooms don’t have enough room to include a shower cubicle, so assess your options. Consider installing a shower over the bath if space is limited.
The survey also showed that 94 percent of the participants believed that a shower in a bathroom was very important, and 81 percent said they would prefer a separate shower enclosure in a large bathroom. Almost 65 percent said their ideal bathroom would have a power shower, while 27 percent preferred mixer showers.
If you have chosen a shower over the bath, also think about placing a fixed glass door instead of a shower curtain. It may cost a few extra dollars, but more than half of the survey’s contributors preferred a fixed glass door over a shower curtain.
Choosing your bath tub
Contrary to common belief, adding a whirlpool bath to increase property value doesn’t always do the trick. If you’re contemplating selling your property, try to avoid purchasing a whirlpool bath with the hope of gaining additional profit.
The survey revealed that close to 53 percent of the participants were not interested in them, while only a small 38 percent of participants “loved” them. Surprisingly, 62 percent said they had “no strong view” towards corner baths either, which means the traditional rectangular baths still hold more appeal against their spruced up counterparts.
Bathroom flooring
Try to avoid the urge to place carpets on the bathroom floor, according to the survey it is not appealing. The survey showed that the preferred floor covering was tile, with 75 percent saying they “loved” a tiled bathroom floor. Popular vinyl flooring has not yet lost its place in the bathroom, with more than 61 percent saying they didn’t have any strong likes or dislikes toward it.
When choosing your bathroom flooring, tiles are the favored option, but if the budget is tight, then vinyl flooring also will work. Besides the flooring, make sure your windows look appealing. When it comes to decorating your bathroom windows, steer clear of those bathroom nets and fabric curtains. The survey showed that 94 percent said they preferred blinds in the bathroom over curtains.
Keep it clean
If you are planning to put your home on the market, inspect your bathroom for those small but mostly unnoticed flaws, like mold on the silicone sealant and even on your shower curtain if you have one. Potential home buyers will notice these small faults, which could send them running!
Thinking about buying or selling? Give me a call or text (386) 316-4253 🙂
