Bathroom Basics
Research shows that kitchens and bathrooms are the most important
rooms in any home when it comes to attracting buyers and selling a home.
This month we take a closer look at bathroom upgrades.
There is no single “design” for bathrooms that makes a house an
instant seller. Indeed, in some parts of the world, what passes for a
stylish bathroom might appear unsightly to buyers in another country.
Given these differences, we’ll attempt to describe some upgrades that
should have a universal appeal to buyers everywhere.
Number of Bathrooms
The first thing to consider is how many bathrooms are appropriate for
the size of the house. In some parts of the USA, a minimum of two full
bathrooms is now considered typical, with an additional half-bath (a
toilet and wash basin), a basic requirement for the main living floor.
Studying new home construction is a great way to get a feel for what
home-buyers want in your local market. New-home builders understand
their target market and design homes to meet your area’s demands.
In many parts of the country, the average square footage of a single
family home has been increasing to accommodate demand for larger rooms,
and especially grand master bedroom suites with walk-in closets and
generous master bathrooms.
When looking at a potential investment property, consider how the
existing living space might be re-arranged to accommodate additional
bathroom space if necessary. You may choose to trade off some living
space or a bedroom to accommodate a larger master bedroom suite and add
in a master bathroom. A three-bedroom with a stylish master suite may be
more appealing to many buyers than a home with just one full bath and
four small bedrooms.
Even homes that at first don’t look like they can accommodate such
changes could be worth a second look. We recently looked at a Cape style
property that had one full bathroom downstairs and one full bathroom
upstairs. The second floor could accommodate three good-sized bedrooms
with minimal change but it would be impossible to add a master bathroom
suite without losing two of the bedrooms. However, the first floor had
been expanded and featured three living rooms as well as a study. By
redesigning the floor plan and moving the staircase, it was possible to
design the home with a full master bedroom suite on the first floor,
complete with its own generous sized bathroom overlooking a private
courtyard fountain. The result was a four-bedroom home with three full
bathrooms including a first floor master suite. (First floor master
bedroom suites will become more sought after as the baby boom generation
moves into retirement).
Bathroom Essentials
Bathrooms should look and feel warm, clean and whenever possible,
luxurious.
Modern ceramic tile on the walls and floor give a sense of luxury and
today’s tile designs can accommodate almost anybody’s sense of
style. However, tile that is not professionally installed can look ugly.
When installing tile, either have a professional installer do it, or be
sure to buy the correct tools and be prepared to throw away tiles that
are not cut exactly right. Too many bathrooms are ruined because the
installer cut tiles incorrectly and then filled the resulting gap with
grout in an attempt to cover up the mistake. Ugly grout lines draw the
eye away from the room and give an impression of a “cheap”
installation job.
If you can’t afford to tile the whole bathroom, just tile the
tub-surround. Well-installed tile will always look better than the
plastic “all-in-one” systems that are cheap to install but may
result in a cheap looking bathroom. However, on a tight budget, an
all-in-one bath surround would be preferable to painted walls or
outdated/badly-installed tiles.
For lighting consider providing a combination of options. Recessed
spotlights provide good general lighting while wall lights around a
mirror or vanity give the best illumination for applying makeup or
shaving.
A ceiling or wall extractor fan will help to keep the bathroom free
of mold that can develop from too much condensation on cold walls and
windows.
A recessed vanity cupboard is easy to install in most rooms and
provides storage space for all those odds and ends that seem to
accommodate around bathroom sinks.
If you don’t have the space for a full bath, a shower stall is a
good alternative. If you have a bathtub, be sure to add a showerhead
over the bath and either a sumptuous shower curtain (definitely not a
cheap plastic one) or a sliding glass panel along the edge of the bath.
(Clear tinted glass panels look more upscale than obscure glass or
plastic).
Be sure to update all the fixtures (basin, tub and toilet) to new
ones that match each other. New hardware should be chosen to complement
the décor and provide a sense of luxury.
A touch of luxury
Before laying tile on the floor, consider installing under-floor
radiant heating. You can now purchase programmable electric heating
blankets that are placed in the tile mortar. Radiant heat warms the
tiles and provides background heat to the room. Once you have tried
radiant heat beneath tiles you’ll never be afraid of walking on a cold
tile floor in bare feet again. It is perhaps one of the most luxurious
feelings there is, especially in a cold winter climate.
Consider adding a heated towel rail. This will warm towels through
while you bathe as well as helping to dry them off afterward.
For the ultimate sense of luxury in a bathroom, tile all the walls
from floor to ceiling and include at least one oversized mirror to give
the room a feeling of expanded space.
If you have the space in a master suite, add a double vanity (or his
and hers wash basins), an oversized shower and a separate tub.
A whirlpool or spa bathtub is almost an essential for master
bathrooms today and they are being increasingly seen in second and third
bathrooms too. Another new trend is for showers to include multiple
full-body spay heads that offer a range of options from drenching to
massage.
For interior design tips on finishing off your bathrooms, visit model
homes at the upper end of the market. Interior designers with a great
sense of style will typically finish these. Pick out the ideas and
features you find most attractive and incorporate them into your own
sense of style. |
