Bathroom Home Improvement Tips
Bathroom home improvement is one of the most cost effective ways to improve the value of your home. In general terms, every dollar you spend on bathroom remodeling improves the value of your home by $5 or more – so spending $4,000 on a bathroom remodeling project can add $20,000 to the sale price of your home if you’re looking to turn the property.
If the remodeling project is more austere – you just don’t like the looks of your bathroom – there are lots of options ranging from the very modest, to the groundbreaking to consider.
Modest options can be as simple as pulling up the tile, replacing the floor boards (which may have taken water damage) and laying new tile down that gives a new look to the place. You can resurface tubs and shower stalls for a fraction of the price needed to rip the old one out and replace it, and it’s remarkable how much nicer a bathroom can be if you apply a new coat of paint and new towel holders, or add shelves to put scented candles or other bathroom accessories on.
If you want to go more upscale, look closely at the space in the bathroom, and its expected usage patterns. You don’t need to do anything elaborate for a seldom used guest bathroom, but for the main bathroom on the house, consider things to make it more airy, more brightly lit, and more comfortable. In particular, look at details like a deep plunge bath, or improving ventilation from a practical standpoint, or making it match the home décor you’ve chosen from an aesthetic one.
If you’re repairing actual structural damage to your bathroom (such as from a broken pipe, or settling floor boards), have a professional come in and do an estimate – there may be more wrong than the leaking pipe. If you’re just updating fixtures, it may still be worth your time to have a professional do the installation, if it involves connection to the plumbing outlets.
Finally, remember that bathrooms are meant to be used. Use flooring that won’t cause problems when wet – nobody likes falling and getting hurt. Use materials that can stand up to being wet – high gloss paint makes cleanup a breeze, for example. When it doubt, add more light and more ventilation than you think you’ll need – you’ll be grateful for it later.
Updating the look of your bathroom will make your home a pleasanter place to live, and is a sound investment for you and your family.
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