Are you looking to add value to your property? Experts in real estate will agree that to capitalize in the bathroom and kitchen almost certainly guarantees profitable returns.
If you’re considering making your home appealing to potential buyers, then one of the first places to start is in the bathroom. There are countless accessories and appliances on the market. Making a decision that will ultimately allow you to reap the rewards is daunting.
When it comes to bathroom design, what is it that most people really want? Would choosing a spacious whirlpool bath above a traditional bath be financially beneficial in the long haul?
Wouldn’t designing your bathroom be a much easier task if you were armed with a guideline of what tickled the fancy of potential home-buyers? If you’re going to design your bathroom get it right the first time round to avoid flushing away hard-earned pounds.
Hello simplicity
From as far back as the 1960s, much focus was placed on bold color in the bathroom. Patterned wall tiles of nautical creatures and over-the-top colors were the trend, along with plastic. Plastic bathroom décor was the craze. Bold orange, olive green, mustard yellow and chocolate brown. These were the main colors of toothbrush, soap and towel holders. Thick patterned plastic shower curtains that screamed colors of the boldest nature were popular, too.
As the times moved on, the 1970s and early 1980s became a period when gold bathroom fixings and furnishing, such as taps, towel rails and toilet roll holders, were considered very stylish. These ostentatious gold trimmed features were all the rage. Bathroom décor was ‘loud’. Added to this were those once delightful bathroom suites in colors avocado, coral pink, and chocolate brown. Bathroom color has changed dramatically over the past decade. Shades have become more neutral, sometimes with a hint of color that adds a complementary vigor to the overall scheme.
Of the many hundreds of people who took part in Plumbworld’s recent bathroom survey, an overwhelming 82 per cent said they hated the once glorified avocado and coral pink bathroom suites, colors remnant of 1970s and 1980s, which are typically characterized as being dark and dull.
According to the survey, chrome bathroom taps were much preferred to gold.
So, when designing and decorating your bathroom keep those dark colors at bay, consider white suites, and opt for chrome fixings and furnishings instead of flashy gold.
Shower power
When planning the design of your bathroom, one of the most important aspects to consider is placing a shower. Some bathrooms don’t have adequate space to include a shower cubicle, so assess your options. Consider installing a shower over the bath if space is limited.
The survey showed that 94 percent of its participants believed that a shower in a bathroom was very important. 81 percent said they preferred a separate shower enclosure in a large bathroom. Almost 65 percent said their ideal would be a power shower. 27 percent preferred mixer showers. Only 12 percent opted for electric showers.
If you have chosen a shower over the bath, then think about placing a fixed glass screen instead of a shower curtain. It may cost a few extra dollars, but more than half of the survey’s contributors preferred a fixed glass screen to a shower curtain.
Choosing your bath tub
Contrary to common belief, adding a whirlpool bath to increase property value doesn’t always do the trick. So if you’re contemplating selling your property, try to avoid purchasing a whirlpool bath in the hopes of gaining additional profit.
The survey revealed that close to 53 percent of its participants were not phased by them. Only a small 38 percent of participants loved them. Surprisingly, 62 percent said they had no strong views towards corner baths either. This means the traditional rectangular baths still hold clout against their spruced up counter parts.
Bathroom flooring
Try to avoid the urge to place carpets on the bathroom floor, according to the survey. The survey showed that the preferred floor covering was tile. 75 percent saying they loved a tiled bathroom floor. Popular vinyl flooring has not yet lost its place in the bathroom, with more than 61 percent saying they didn’t have any strong likes or dislikes towards it.
When choosing your bathroom flooring, tiles is the favored option. If the budget is tight, then vinyl flooring won’t let you down.
Apart from the flooring, make sure your windows look appealing. When it comes to dressing your bathroom windows, steer clear of those bathroom nets and fabric curtains. The survey showed that 94 per cent said they favored blinds in the bathroom to curtains.
Keep it clean
If you are planning to put your home on the market, inspect your bathroom for those small generally unnoticed flaws. These would be things like mold on the silicone sealant around the bath, and even on your shower curtain if you have one. Potential home-buyers may notice these small faults, which could send then running!
Be a Blessing Today <3 Dwan Bent Twyford & Bill Twyford
