Whether you're remodeling an old home or building a new one, you have a lot of decisions to make about where to spend your budget. You have to decide where spending more means getting more.
If you're looking for high-value results, you want to put it into upgrades that will increase the overall value of your home. A bathroom update is one place you can get a lot of wow-factor out of your budget and easily increase the value of your home.
Keep reading to learn why you should consider a wet area bathroom update!
What is a Wet Area in a Bathroom?
The wet area in a bathroom typically refers to the areas that are constantly exposed to water - your tub and shower. They're saturated daily and have to deal with temperature fluctuations.
With this constant use, it's no wonder they wear out fairly quickly. This is especially true in homes built with cheap acrylic materials. And if you or previous owners weren't diligent cleaners, the damage can be even more severe.
Why Does a Wet Area Upgrade Add Value?
Upgrading the wet area of your bathroom can add a lot of value quickly for multiple reasons.
Bathrooms can easily date a home.
Have you ever walked through a house that's been updated where the bathroom wasn't included in the update? You go from being dazzled to immediately remembering exactly how old the home is under the pretty coats of new paint in the living room.
Outdated bathroom cabinetry, fixtures, and tub/shower combos can drag down the overall feel and value of a home.
Your bathroom hides a whole host of health concerns.
We hate to break it to you in case you weren't already aware, but your bathroom could be making you sick. Even for people with the best cleaning habits, your bathroom could be hiding quite a few health risks you weren't even aware of.
It makes sense though. Constant water and moisture can lead to mold and other underlying issues. Bathing and bathroom habits add germs and bacteria to the mix.
A bathroom update, especially to wet areas, negates these concerns and gives you a fresh (clean!) slate.
An update can make a bathroom more accessible.
For people who have limited mobility or those who are more prone to slipping and falling, updating your outdated tub to a walk-in shower or tub/shower combo can add value in safety. If you decide to sell your home, having an accessible bathroom for mobility-impaired individuals is a huge selling point.
Like a kitchen update, a bathroom update is one of those easy "wow-factor" upgrades.
There are certain rooms of the house that can inspire jealousy in the neighbors and really kick the wow-factor up a notch or two. For us, that's the kitchen and bathroom.
A kitchen remodel makes the whole house come alive because it's often the center of the home. A bathroom remodel, on the other hand, adds a feel of luxury to the house, because it's often forgotten, relegated to a closet-type feeling. Walking into a nicely done bathroom elevates the feel of the rest of the house.
An updated bathroom is an easy way to update and set the tone for the whole feel of the home.
What Types of Wet Area Remodels Are Available?
You have quite a few options when it comes to replacing your outdated bathroom fixtures. The days of slide-in tubs being your only option are over. Today's bathrooms feature premium, high-quality acrylic, stone, glass, and porcelain in a variety of uses.
Bathtub Replacement
This is one of the most affordable upgrades you can make on a budget. Old bathtubs can really date a space, and they get worn out over time. Replacing a worn tub with a bright new one will instantly make a bathroom feel updated.
And today's bathtubs are made of a variety of materials. You can purchase a prebuilt tub or create a custom built-in tub featuring stone or tile for a real wow-factor. Imagine sliding into a bubble bath in a new oversized built-in tub!
Converting a Tub Into a Shower
Removing a tub that isn't used and replacing it with a shower can open a bathroom up and make it feel larger. Whether you opt for a premium slide-in shower or create a tiled shower, the result will be maximized space.
Walk-in Showers
If you really want to take the wow-factor up, install a walk-in shower. A custom-made shower with large glass doors and waterproof tile is sure to make a bathroom look new and fresh. As a bonus, they're easy to clean and more accessible for older folks or those with mobility issues.
Wet Room Style Bathrooms
One of the hottest new trends is a wet room styled bathroom, a bathroom where the tub and shower are completely open to the rest of the room. Unlike traditional bathrooms that have a wet area confined to one space with a separate area that isn't meant to be exposed to water, a wet room bathroom is designed so that the entire area can be wet without detriment.
Should You Consider a Bathroom Update?
If you're looking to add value to your home, you absolutely should consider a bathroom update. However, bathroom upgrades aren't the easiest home improvement you can make. With the constant exposure to water and plumbing concerns, you want to make sure the finished product will be durable and built to last.
Contact Solid Construction and Design today to receive a quote on your bathroom and see how we can work with you to improve the value of your home!
