Whether you are thinking about putting your house up for sale, or you are getting tired of how it looks, then you probably have some renovations already in mind. However, instead of focusing on repainting the kitchen or putting down new carpet in a bedroom, you might want to give another room your full attention: the bathroom. Not only do bathrooms play a key role in a home’s value, but they also can completely transform the mood of the interior.
But does your bathroom need a new breath of life? Here are 7 signs your bathroom is outdated to help you figure that out.
1. Your Fixtures Are Leaking
A dripping faucet is more than a plumber’s nightmare. It is also annoying and frustratingly expensive. Did you know that, according to the EPA, the average American home will waste nearly 10,000 gallons a year on leaks? This usually is caused by dripping faucets, leaky valves, and worn toilet flappers.
By updating the 50-year-old faucet and rickety toilet, you could save at least 10% on your water bill. Plus, many modernized faucets and toilets consume far less energy and resources to use. So not only will your bathroom look gorgeous, you can feel good about helping the planet out a little too.
2. A Slight Chance of Mold
There are many poorly designed and ventilated bathrooms out there, some of which are plagued by mold. Bathrooms are a natural haven for humidity, often leading to flourishing mold on the walls and in between tiles. You may also notice that there are discolored watermarks on the ceiling. Sure, you could wash away that mold with bleach, but you aren’t solving the underlying issue.
Mold problems can be dealt with completely by renovating your outdated bathroom. Enhancing the ventilation, insulating the bathroom walls, and choosing mold-resistant paints and materials go a long way.
3. Out of Touch With Time
When you want to sell your home, you need to appeal to the modern buyer. Bathrooms that look like they are from a 1970s hotel are not going to be very popular. Other outdated bathroom designs include popcorn ceilings, wallpaper, carpeted flooring, a single small sink, brightly colored tubs, showers, and vanities.
Modern designers instead focus on his-and-her sinks, tiled or wood flooring, metal fixtures, and more subdued color palettes for the fixtures, sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets. It is also common to see a lot more marble, granite, travertine, and ceramic in bathrooms these days.
4. Chipped Tiles and Grout Stains
Even if your bathroom is on the fairly new side, chipped tiles and grout stains on the walls can make it look ancient. By freshening up the tiles, your bathroom will look infinitely better. It is also healthier to replace grout since it is porous and susceptible to mold growth. Luckily, repairing chipped tiles or replacing them entirely is not too expensive—good news for homeowners on a budget. Plus, you aren’t limited to ceramic any longer. There are all kinds of materials you can choose from, including marble, granite, slate, travertine, and limestone.
5. Old World Palette
Some bathrooms still have the look of the 1950s, such as pink tiles in the shower and brown tiles on the floor. Others continue to cling to the all-white aesthetic that also went out of fashion many moons ago. It’s understandable to think, “If it’s not broken, it doesn’t need fixing.” However, updating the color of your bathroom can do wonders for the ambiance. Unless retro is your thing.
Even still, updating the color scheme means better quality and longer-lasting paint, energy-efficient appliances and furnishings, and an overall better home value. Choose one of the many popular colors for bathrooms—gray, black, nautical blue, powder blue, or pistachio.
6. Poor Lighting
One of the common complaints about bathrooms is that there is no natural light. Outdated bathrooms often have a single tiny window or one incandescent bulb hanging overhead. That is never going to feel like enough! Updating bathroom lighting is, fortunately, an easy task. You can incorporate track lighting, resize the window, and install skylights or solar tubes to brighten up an old, dreary bathroom.
Adding light to the bathroom opens it up and makes it more inviting, which is what you want from a room that should feel a little like a spa.
7. Zero Storage Options
Did you ever notice how older homes lack storage in the bathroom? Sure, there might be a small space under the vanity or a narrow closet, but that is most certainly not enough! Your needs have most likely changed since purchasing your home, and you would love more places to put things. Today, there are dozens of ways to add ample storage space to your bathroom without needing to add any square footage. For example, you could install shelving, towel racks that can also be used as heaters, and LED-lit medicine cabinets.
Renovate Your Bathroom With Marble Concepts
Is it time to remodel your bathroom? Any of these 7 signs point to a bathroom that is outdated and ready for renovation. Whether your bathroom is dimly lit or you need more storage space, renovation is an excellent way to give you a new space and increase the value of your home. Even if you don’t have a tremendous budget, there are ways to make your bathroom beautiful again.
Ready to bring life back to the bathroom by adding natural stone counters or showers or floors to your bathroom? Consult with our professional team. Give us a call today at 215-396-7393 to learn more about our services.
