It’s no big surprise that bathroom renovations are one of the most popular renovations for Edmonton-area homes. You use your bathroom every day. It makes sense to upgrade such an important room to make it comfortable, convenient, and enjoyable. At the same time, it’s good to keep an eye on the return on investment you get from any renovation project. Here’s an article that talks about which home renovation projects in Alberta actually put the most money back in your pocket (and it’s no surprise that bathrooms are right at the top of the list). Let’s take a look at how to get the best ROI on your Edmonton bathroom renovation.
Put Long-term Value Above the Latest Style
If you’re going to renovate your bathroom you’re naturally going to want it to look great. Keep in mind, however, that style can be very subjective. What’s attractive to you may or may not be attractive to someone who may look to purchase your house down the road. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add your personal touch to the room. Let’s face it, you should renovate to meet your needs and reflect your style. At the same time, you’ll want to keep functionality, accessibility, convenience, and comfort in mind as you plan. Here’s a post that talks about the importance of focusing on essential design function rather than following the latest trends when renovating.
Pay Attention to Practical Improvements
Before you get too wrapped up in countertop materials, cabinet choices, or color schemes, think about the practical improvements that will make your bathroom more useful, comfortable, and convenient. Those things will also be important to anyone considering buying your home down the road. Walls can be repainted. Hardware can be replaced. But the fundamentals of a comfortable and convenient bathroom should be in place. Here are bathroom features that will help you enjoy your home—and make it more attractive if/when you decide to sell.
- Dual Sinks: Having two sinks in the master bathroom is one of the more obvious improvements you can make. It’s really more of a necessity than a luxury. Getting ready for the day or getting ready for bed at night is so much easier and stress-free with two sinks. Not only will you enjoy it while you live in your current home, but it’s something prospective buyers will look for.
- Accessible Showers: In addition to looking great, walk-in showers (with no threshold) are safer and easier to use. Nobody enjoys stubbing a toe on a threshold. Plus, showers without doors are easier to keep clean.
- Shower Seating: While we’re talking about showers, you’ll want to think about building in seating. You can have your contractor frame out a seat that can be tiled. It’s an increasingly popular look for modern bathrooms—and it adds comfort if you want to sit for a moment. Plus it offers a place to put shower items (shampoo, etc.) instead of putting them on the floor. You can also build in storage niches into the walls of the shower. If your bathroom isn’t large enough for a shower with a large bench type of seat, you can have your contractor install a corner seat instead.
- Floor Heating:Stepping out of a nice warm shower onto a cold floor in the middle of an Edmonton winter can be a bit of a shock. Heated floors are increasingly popular and they are an energy-efficient way to heat a bathroom. You’ll enjoy the experience and it will make your bathroom more attractive to potential purchasers.
- Aging-in-Place Features: Canadians are living longer, and the majority of them want to remain in their own homes as long as possible. That means that as people look for a home to buy they will be looking for features that allow them to remain in their home safely and comfortably for years to come. Here’s an article that talks about essential bathroom features for aging-in-place (and for elsewhere in the home). Building these features into you Edmonton home can make it more attractive to a larger group of buyers.
When it’s time to renovate the bathroom in your Edmonton home, you can still make it look great and have it reflect your personal sense of style. But keep your eye on the improvements that will make your home appealing to future buyers—and that will give you a better return on your investment.