Upgrading your bathroom is a great thing to make a priority for several reasons. One of the first reasons is that it’ll improve your quality of life and make the simple things even simpler. This is especially the case if it’s been a while since your last update.
Things that might be frustrating to use now, such as old taps, will become much easier to use with a modern upgrade…
Reasons to Upgrade
New Technology and Efficiency
New plumbing features and technology improvements may have been introduced sine your last refresh, which will mean things like shower temperature and pressure is easier to control than ever and water usage will be much more efficient.
There may also be several other improvements you can make that will save you time and money (a plumber can advise on this).
Reduced Need for Costly Repairs
Not only will new fixtures make life easier, but they will probably reduce the risk of things breaking down, needing repairs, and other potential damage. This means you won’t need to call for emergency plumbing services, because of constant leaks and other issues. Instead, you’ll only be calling in a rare instance, when you really need them.
Increase House Value
Another very important reason to consider upgrading your bathroom is that it’ll increase your property value.
Both the bathroom and kitchen of a house are some of the top rooms to focus on and make look good if you want to successfully sell your property for a good price.
So, if a move is on the cards in the future, it’s worth investing in getting an upgrade, enjoying it a bit, and moving on.
The reason that these particular rooms are popular is due to their high traffic (aka usage or dependency) and the often complexity of plumbing systems and the frequency of issues.
People know that plumbing problems are very common and so they’ll want to buy a place that looks modern and new, and is able to handle their plumbing needs.
On the other hand, some people may look into buying “fixer uppers” – but if your house fits this bill, that means less overall money gained from your house sale. This of course all depends on your financial circumstances, but if possible, a bathroom update before putting your house on the market is a worthy investment.
How to Achieve Your Goal Bathroom
Assess Your Current Bathroom and Your Needs
The first step you’ll need to make before you plan an upgrade is to assess your current space…
Lifestyle, Needs, Pain Points
This includes assessing your lifestyle (do you take 1-2 daily showers, baths, etc?), your individual needs such as storage and things like towel racks, as well as the size of the room, and what currently annoys you about your bathroom (aka pain points).
You’ll need to think about both the actual fixtures and plumbing features, as well as the over décor of the room – the colours and materials of the walls and floors, for example.
So, take a good look at your current bathroom. Inspect, examine, assess, and test all parts including your toilet, shower, bath, sink, taps, even your windows or fan, etc.
Checklist What You Want
Make a checklist of everything you need/want. Then research what is out there that could make life easier. If you don’t already have your own idea of what you want the room to look like, you can look up what décor and aesthetic trends are currently popular and find some inspiration there.
Bathroom Size, Layout, and Getting Expert Advice
The size and layout of your bathroom will of course affect what is realistic. You may need to get smart with storage and the usage of space.
Speak to a bathroom plumber for suggestions if needed, as they can layout a plan and advise on what modern features and fixtures are best.
Your Budget
Obviously, your budget is a huge factor in getting that dream bathroom. With full renovations estimated at costing between £4,000 and £10,000, certain things may not be possible, and you may need to think realistically.
You can still create a great modern refresh on a budget. This might mean doing a lot of the work yourself, and shopping around for the best deals on fixtures – or finding good local plumber rates.
This all depends on your level of expertise, handiness, and enthusiasm for DIY though. So if you can do certain things yourself, and then get experts in for the tasks you can’t do, this may save you some money.
Keep it simple if needed (don’t be fooled by those fancy show homes). It just needs to look nice, clean, and functional. And don’t unnecessarily stretch yourself, both financially and time wise.
