Why a Bathroom Remodel Could Be the Perfect Holiday Gift

The holiday shopping season is upon us, and that means hordes of shoppers will soon be crowding department stores to get great deals on big-screen TVs, smartphones, and other technological gadgets. But have you ever considered a bathroom remodel?

While the toys and tech that you get for yourself and family members will likely be outdated or broken within a relatively short period of time after all the presents have been unwrapped, you could always invest in your home and get something that will last. A bathroom remodel may be a somewhat unconventional holiday gift, but it could very well be the best thing you get for your family this year.

Bathroom remodeling has a wide range of benefits for your home. Here is a closer look at just some of the reasons why investing in these valuable upgrades is a great idea this holiday season.

1. Fix Ongoing Maintenance Issues

leaky faucet

With so much plumbing involved, it should hardly come as any surprise that an old, outdated bathroom can be a frequent source of maintenance issues. A dripping faucet may not seem like a big deal, but it can result in thousands of gallons of wasted water per year, driving up utility bills. If something goes wrong when you have friends or family over for a holiday party, you could be in serious trouble.

The problem can be even worse when you have a leaking or burst pipe. As Angie’s List notes, “If left untreated, a plumbing leak can cause damage to your walls. When pipes running behind walls burst or begin to leak, they moisten the drywall; eventually, this moisture makes its way through the walls and produces wet spots […] Over time, the moisture may lead to black mold, requiring not only the services of a mold remediation company, but also requiring the removal of large wall sections. This can be very costly. For example, 100 square feet of drywall can cost as much as $400 to replace, while mold remediation can run anywhere from $500 to $3,000.”

The ongoing maintenance costs of repeatedly fixing leaks and other problems can also add up quicker than expected. Failure to address such issues in a timely manner can eventually result in damage to the flooring, further adding to repair expenses.

If you find yourself dealing with repeated maintenance issues, a bathroom remodel could serve as a more proactive way to stop the problems in their tracks. Completely replacing problematic fixtures and pipes will help you avoid future maintenance expenses. Life will be a lot easier (and less stressful) when you don’t have to call a plumber every month.

2. Address a Less-Than-Desirable Layout

bathroom remodel

A poorly designed bathroom will often result in a cramped, cluttered feel that hardly creates the peaceful, relaxing atmosphere you desire. This is further compounded when the room doesn’t have adequate lighting, which can make the bathroom feel more like a cave than a spa.

Though more expensive than a simple facelift, many homeowners find it beneficial to completely revamp their bathroom’s layout as part of a remodel. Moving the location of the vanity or other features can make the area easier to navigate. Installing additional storage solutions such as linen closets or open shelves will provide more space for towels and toiletries. 

Depending on the extent of your renovation needs, you might even expand the size of your bathroom or install a skylight to bring in additional natural lighting. Of course, not all renovations need to be so involved to help the bathroom seem more spacious. For example, installing a frameless shower door can help the bathroom feel larger by showing off more space and reflecting natural and artificial light.

For aging individuals or those who are caring for elderly family members, it may also be helpful to consider layout changes that will more easily accommodate changing physical needs. ADA compliant toilets, additional grab bars and railings, or a seated ledge in the shower area can reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents and improve accessibility. Such changes are also good to consider if you plan to age in place in your current home.

3. Improve the Look of Your Bathroom

bathroom remodel

Sometimes, your bathroom could be functionally sound but look extremely outdated. Styles from the 1980s will probably look out of place in your home, especially if the rest of the house has received upgrades over the years. In such situations, a bathroom remodel that provides a facelift for your space will go a long way in helping you cultivate the desired ambiance inside your home.

One of the easiest ways to update your bathroom’s looks is to replace your old vanity. Not only is the bathroom vanity relatively easy to replace, but there are more styles available than ever before. Both free-standing and wall-mounted units are available in a wide range of configurations so you can find the scheme that best fits your preferences. Complete the look with an upgraded faucet, and you’ll have gone a long way in improving the look of your bathroom.

The walls and flooring are also areas that most often benefit from an upgrade. Ceramic tile and luxury vinyl plank flooring are popular material options for the bathroom, as they offer superior water resistance and are available in a wide range of styles. Even something as simple as a fresh coat of paint can help your bathroom feel renewed and refreshed. 

A modern, redesigned bathroom will help foster a more relaxing environment, creating the perfect place to unwind. When your bathroom becomes an oasis where you can escape from the rest of the world, coming home from a long day at work will be even more enjoyable.

4. Add Luxurious Features

towel warmer

Of course, you can do much more than simply give your bathroom a facelift. A bathroom remodel is the perfect time to consider luxurious features that will give your bathroom a true spa-like atmosphere.

One surprising area where you can make a luxury upgrade is the toilet. For example, the TOTO Neorest 700H Tankless Ms992CUMFG Dual Flush Toilet With Integrated Washlet Seat and Ewater+ integrates bidet functionality into the toilet seat, providing adjustable comfort sprays for a superior clean. Other features include automatic flush, automatic open and close lid, and the use of electrolyzed water during each flush to sanitize the toilet bowl. This means you won’t have to spend as much time scrubbing the toilet in the future!

Medicine cabinets are another area where increasingly luxurious options are now available. For example, the Robern UC4827FPL 48 Inch Uplift Cabinet includes a built-in electric column, LED interior lighting, a night light installed in the handle, and a mirror defogger that can be turned on for when you are using the shower. Of course, there is still plenty of interior storage space to help keep your bathroom items organized.

You could even make getting out of the shower a more enjoyable experience with towel warmers! Not only will such devices give you a cozy, warm towel to wrap up in after you get out of the shower, but they will also quickly dry your towels after use so they don’t get damp and mildewy.

Even seemingly minor feature upgrades, like replacing a one-sink vanity with a two-sink model, can go a long way in streamlining your bathroom routine. With two bathroom sinks, you and your significant other won’t have to fight for space as you try to get ready in the morning. Consider which features could make the biggest difference for you on a daily basis as you pick your favorite upgrades.

5. Become More Eco-Friendly

washing hands

We live in a time when homeowners are increasingly conscious of how their property impacts the environment — and the bathroom can play a large role in this. One of the best ways to decrease your home’s impact on the environment is to install low-flow fixtures as part of your bathroom remodel.

Low-flow options are available for bathroom faucets, shower heads, and toilets. By reducing the amount of gallons of water used per minute (or per flush), you will be better able to conserve water in your area. Those gallons that you save each month will also help you lower your water bill.

Such additions will likely have a bigger impact than you would expect. According to The Balance Small Business, “Low-flow toilets can save more than 20,000 gallons of water per year for a four-member family.” Such toilets can also reduce clog problems thanks to a wider drainage passage and pressure assisted flush features. 

Water fixtures aren’t the only area where you can make eco-friendly improvements as part of your bathroom remodel. Upgrading to LED light fixtures will reduce electricity usage in the bathroom, helping you lower yet another utility bill. Many LED light bulbs have a rated lifespan of up to 50,000 hours — many times longer than a standard incandescent or halogen lightbulb. As a result, you’ll also be able to save on lightbulb replacements.

6. Increase Your Home Value

bathroom vanity

Even if you plan on staying in your home for many years to come, there is no denying the fact that a quality bathroom remodel will increase your home value. According to Investopedia, bathroom remodels historically deliver some of the greatest return on investment of any home improvement project. This is true for every part of the country, regardless of changes to the market. 

On average, homeowners can expect to recoup between 70 and 78 percent of their remodeling costs, though in some areas, the increase in property value can be even greater. In fact, HGTV reports that minor bathroom remodels can easily earn back 102 percent of their investment at resale. You can get even more value for your money by doing some of the remodeling work yourself and shopping around to find discounted prices on key bathroom additions.

Of course, for many, even more important than the potential increase in the home’s resell price is the increased enjoyment that they will get from an improved bathroom on a daily basis. HGTV also reports that over 70 percent of home buyers already have remodeling plans in mind when purchasing a home. Between 30 and 40 percent will make improvements less than six months after they move in.

Regardless of whether you’ve recently moved into your home or have been living in the same place for a while, it is important to consider more than just the increased home value you will get out of a bathroom remodel. You should also be mindful of the increased value you will get out of your home.

By making your space more usable and enjoyable, you will ultimately get far greater value out of your bathroom remodel and other home improvement projects. Being able to sell your home at a higher price sometime in the future is just the icing on top.

Give the Gift of a Bathroom Remodel

According to some surveys, as many as 28 percent of all holiday gifts are returned at the end of the season. Rather than spend your money on frivolous items that may only get a few months of use at best, invest in your future by giving your bathroom a much-needed makeover.

Think that a bathroom remodel is out of your holiday shopping budget? It doesn’t have to be — particularly if you only plan to upgrade one area, like the vanity or medicine cabinet. Here at Kitchen & Bath Authority, we have a wide range of bathroom products from the industry’s leading brands, many of which are available at significantly discounted prices. You can literally save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on select bathroom products!

The savings get even greater when you join our exclusive membership program. Members enjoy expedited order processing and additional discounts on a wide range of items, helping to make your shopping even easier. Free shipping is also available, so the price you see in our store is exactly what you’ll pay.

Don’t fight the crowds this Black Friday. Place your orders online here at Kitchen & Bath Authority, and you’ll be well on your way to giving yourself the gift of an amazing new bathroom.

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