You’ve likely heard that the “kitchen is the heart of the home.” If that’s true, then the bathroom is the soul. Nothing rejuvenates you like a luxurious shower or hot bath at the end of a long day. This is one of the reasons why bathrooms are among the most popular rooms for renovations, second only to the kitchen.

When selling a home, a few strategic improvements can go a long way toward helping you earn a higher price. Functionality and aesthetic appeal both matter to buyers, most of whom place a high priority on a quality bathroom. If you don’t plan to sell anytime soon, then why not transform this space into a spa-like oasis for your own enjoyment? Either way, you win. Whether you’re selling or not, bathroom upgrades are nearly always worth the investment. In this post, we’ll highlight a few of the most worthwhile projects.

With a little creativity, you can make your home a showstopper during any season! The posts below will give you some inspiration:

• The Art of the Spring Home Makeover
• Redecorating for Fall? Here Are Some of Our Top Tips
• Toronto Homeowners: Here’s How to Thrive This Winter

Minor Tweaks for a Fast Transformation

If your time and budget are limited, take heart! You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference even a few small improvements can make to the overall appearance of your bathrooms. In some cases, a few items from the dollar store and a weekend of elbow grease can be all it takes to see a quick transformation.

Start by assessing the condition of your bathrooms now. Take note of anything high priority that you’ll want to implement as soon as your resources allow. You might not put them in your schedule right away, but they are definitely in the works at some point.

• In the meantime, it pays to focus on cleanliness. To a buyer, a crisp presentation is the single best upgrade you can make. For your own enjoyment, a deep, thorough scrubbing could make the room practically unrecognizable. The trick is to go well beyond your daily maintenance routine.
• Start by decluttering the countertop, drawers, and closets. Half-empty bottles of shampoo and creams often accumulate, even with your best efforts to keep your bathroom tidy. Now is the time to toss them all and create a clean slate.
• Next, give the ceiling, walls, floors, and tiles a thorough scrubbing. These areas are commonly missed during routine cleaning. Don’t forget to get in behind the toilet and into the corners of the shower and bathtub. Fortunately, there are some great products on the market that you can spray on to help remove the grime without overexerting yourself.
• Once your bathroom sparkles, think about adding a few – and we do mean a very few – decor items. Many homeowners are tempted to go overboard when it comes to design; however, keeping things simple saves time and money and usually creates a better result. To start with, you may invest in some ultra-luxurious towels and a fancy new shower curtain.

Mid-Level Upgrades

If sprucing up your bathroom has you inspired, there are numerous ways to elevate your aesthetic even more through a series of mid-level projects. A little more work and investment may be in order, but they will be well worth the effort when you see the final result. Here are a few areas to focus on.

• Consider professional painting. No home improvement is complete without painting, and for many good reasons. Any room will start to look tired after a while even with your best efforts. A coat of new paint instantly adds a modern touch, and a splash of colour creates a whole new ambiance.
• Upgrade your lighting. Besides painting, nothing elevates the appearance of a room like the expert use of light. You might decide to replace a single overhead light with wall sconces or pot lights. If you want to be extra decadent, you could always consider a dimmer switch to enhance the effect.
• Revamp your backsplash. Installing or upgrading attractive new backsplash can be time-consuming – unless you take a shortcut and use peel and stick tiles. With the quality materials available today, it’s easier than ever to give your bathroom an instant facelift! Some are even made with genuine porcelain or glass.
• Install new fixtures. New faucets, showerheads, towel bars, and door handles are simple upgrades that can quickly refresh any tired looking bathroom, especially combined with one or more other improvements.

Are you planning on upgrading your home to sell? The resources below will help you decide where to focus your efforts:

• What Is the Value of a Pre-Listing Inspection When Selling in Toronto?
• A Complete Guide to Home Renovations in Toronto
• Is Staging Your House to Sell Still a Good Idea?

Extensive Upgrades for Out-of-This-World Results

What if you really want to go all out and transform your space into a luxurious sanctuary? A combination of minor updates with a few more involved projects can make your bathroom magazine-worthy. You may decide on one particular aspect to focus on. If you’re more ambitious, you might completely gut the room for a total remodel. If you dare to dream big, here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Install Custom Cabinetry. They look fantastic while maximizing your storage space, which in turn, helps you keep your bathroom clean and organized. It’s a win-win all around.
• Upgrade the floors. If you really want to indulge, invest in some heated floors. You’ll really appreciate them on particularly chilly mornings.
• Invest in high-end fixtures. Top-of-the-line countertops and sinks will add an air of luxury and sophistication. To go all out, consider adding a soaker tub or walk-in shower with a built-in storage bench. This allows for the perfect combination of functionality and elegance.

Some of these projects may feel far off, but it never hurts to begin planning. In the meantime, there are countless smaller ways to enhance the comfort and aesthetic appeal of your bathroom. Luxuries such as towel warmers, aromatherapy, and textured bath mats can be relatively easy and inexpensive to implement. Big or small, there are no shortage of ways to turn your bathroom into the ultimate spa-like experience right in your own home.

Are you planning to buy or sell a home in Toronto this year? We’d love to help you achieve all of your goals. Reach out to us at erica@ericareddy.com or call 416.443.0300, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.

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