We love weekend projects that can help improve the value of your home, not to mention your enjoyment of it! In this installment of “Weekend Transformations,” we will be focusing on how you can update your bathrooms quickly and inexpensively by yourself. Updating a bathroom is a terrific weekend project that adds real value to your home.

To start, pick the bathroom you are interested in updating (if it’s your first time, maybe stick with the smallest one) and decide what mood you would like to evoke. You may want to keep it in the same general theme as the rest of the house. However, the bathroom is the one place you can show some personality when you eventually sell your home. Have some fun by choosing a wild wallpaper or try an interesting paint technique.  You can find great ideas on Houzz, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Once you’ve identified the bathroom and the theme, set a budget and make a list of what you need to buy and where you will get it from.  Are you ordering online? Going to Home Depot or Lowes? Set a plan of action.  Here are some of the items we recommend tackling:

1. MIRROR AND LIGHTING: The updates that can make a biggest difference are updating the mirror and the lighting. These two items alone can transform the room and make it look brand new. Make sure the mirror and the lighting coordinate together and with the wallpaper or paint selections you are planning. When selecting the mirror, consider if you need it to have storage or if you can get away with a sleeker piece.
2. TOWEL BARS AND TOILET PAPER HOLDERS: Install interesting towel bars. For a truly decadent touch, a towel warmer adds a bit of luxury to full baths.  Generally speaking, it is best for all of your hardware (towel bar, toilet paper holder bars, etc) to coordinate, even if they aren’t a matching set.  It’s also a good idea to have a decorative box or basket to house spare toilet paper instead of leaving them exposed.
3. FAUCETS: For the daring, buy a self-help article or book that demonstrates how to make plumbing changes. It’s actually pretty easy! Changing out the faucet to a level or two above builder grade enhances the sink (this trick applies to kitchen updates as well). Again, coordinating with the towel bars and toilet paper holders is a good idea.
4. SHOWER CURTAIN & ROD: If you are updating a full bath, install a new shower curtain.  It’s also a good idea to upgrade your shower curtain rod. Instead of pressure mounted, consider one that is screwed into the wall and is a bit sturdier.
5. CLEANING: Now that the heavy lifting is done, give the bathroom a good cleaning. Don’t forget to caulk around the tub or redo any caulking that looks moldy or worn down. A sparkling bathroom will really add to the nice, new updates you have done.
6. ACCESSORIZE: Now that everything is spick and span, add a new, clean bath mat, towels that coordinate with your decor, and some nice soaps and accessories and voila! A refreshed and accommodating spot to call your own.

If you have any questions about which styles or choices are popular, don’t hesitate to reach out.

There is nothing worse than spending time and money on updates that won’t appeal to most buyers.

We’re always happy to give our opinions so you are getting the most bang for your buck.