If you want your house to maintain a good value, then that includes looking after it from the inside. Even rooms such as the bathroom can effect how much it would be worth. Here are 17 bathroom features to avoid to preserve your home’s value.
Over-personalized Colors and Finishes
Having a brightly colored bathroom can be offputting for anyone who comes to view your house. This is supported by Homes and Gardens, who writes, “Avoid using bold, jarring paint colors, especially in a bathroom, as it should feel bright and welcoming in order to promote feelings of relaxation.”
Removing All Bathtubs
A home should have at least one bathtub, as this allows the property to cater to households with families and pets. Replacing a bathtub with a shower could turn a full bathtub into a three-quarter bath and even reduce your house’s value. Try to consider the needs of future buyers.
Poor Ventilation
If your bathroom isn’t properly ventilated, then it can lead to mold problems or other moisture issues. If there’s no window in the bathroom, you may want to think about installing an extractor fan. Buyers may be turned off if they find moisture problems in your bathroom.
Trendy Materials
Forbes advises, “Trends shouldn’t be the dominating influence over your home’s aesthetic.” This is because trends come and g, and by the time you’ve finished decorating your bathroom, the trend could already be on its way out. If you’re looking to sell your home, then try to keep it as neutral as possible.
Carpeted Bathrooms
Having a carpeted bathroom can harbor bacteria and germs, which may lead to hygiene and odor issues. Having a tiled floor is easier to clean and maintain. It’ll make your bathroom more durable and work better with any tiled walls. A carpeted bathroom may even come across as outdated.
Over-the-top Luxurious Fixtures
Even though luxurious features may be nice to look at, they don’t always return well on investment and could devalue your house. With trends constantly changing, what may look luxurious in your bathroom now might not in a few years. Even things such as a high-tech toilet may seem excessive.
Excessive Personalization
Mansion Global writes, “Owners who have over-customized often find themselves with two choices when it comes time to sell: wait, potentially years, for the right buyer or slash the asking price.” You want to aim for your decor to be simple, as it allows potential buyers to picture themselves in your home.
Whirlpool Tubs
Large whirlpool tubs are no longer as sought after as they used to be. This is because people now prefer more streamlined spa showers. These tubs can also take up valuable space and make your bathroom appear smaller. The fact that they require more maintenance may also deter potential buyers.
High-Maintenance Features
If you’ve installed a feature in your home that requires lots of maintenance, then this could be a deterrent. Examples could include things like high-tech gadgets or the use of unusual materials. When buyers are looking for a home, they often prefer it to be simple and stress-free.
Lack of Storage Space
Bathrooms must have plenty of storage space to ensure there’s no clutter from toiletries, towels, and cleaning supplies. Without the right amount of storage space, bathrooms can appear smaller and the clutter will create a mess, making them harder to sell. You may want to think about adding a vanity cabinet.
Visible Plumbing
Exposed plumbing can make a bathroom seem unsightly and messy. It causes a bathroom to lose its aesthetic appeal, as concealed plumbing is a tidier option. Visible plumbing can easily be fixed. For example, Victoria Plumb writes, “Creating a box around your pipes is a very simple but effective way of covering up your unwanted pipes.”
Insufficient Lighting
It’s crucial for a bathroom to have good lighting, as it’s not only functional but also makes it appear more aesthetic. Without good lighting, your bathroom can appear dingy and small. You could think about layering lighting, such as task, ambient, and accent lighting.
Bright Tile Patterns
Bold or bright tiles can be overwhelming for a bathroom. They can make it appear smaller and deter buyers from purchasing them, as there’ll be an extra cost to replace them. Neutral tiles are much more attractive to buyers and go with different types of decor.
Inconvenient Layouts
An inconvenient bathroom layout can disrupt a person’s everyday routine. Awkwardly placed showers and sinks can become incredibly annoying after a while. You may want to think about investing in a functional design to add value to your home. If you choose to redesign your bathroom, then think about accessibility.
DIY Renovations
Amateur DIY renovations can be spotted a mile off and may reflect poorly on the house. Any poor DIY projects may also lead to further problems down the line. For example, they can result in leaks, cracks, or electrical problems. If you’re unsure about DIY, then it’s best to have a professional come out.
Unusual Sinks
Unconventional designs or materials may not appeal to all buyers. This may include different colored sinks or outdated styles. You may want to think about investing in simple, white designs, as they blend well with the rest of the bathroom. Try to think about practicality and durability when choosing bathroom sinks.
Outdated Hardware
A simple thing you can do to add value to your bathroom is update the hardware. This includes things such as shower heads and faucets. It’s a cost-effective way to refresh your bathroom space and make it more appealing. Try to choose modern and high-quality items that will appeal to everyone.