We often overlook our bathrooms when considering home renovations and upgrades. However, bathrooms play an integral role in our daily routines. An outdated or dysfunctional bathroom can negatively impact your lifestyle and even decrease your home’s value.
If you notice any of these eight signs, it may be time to give your bathroom an upgrade:
8 Signs You Need a Bathroom Upgrade
Our bathrooms are one of the most frequently used spaces in our homes. We rely on them for our personal hygiene, getting ready each morning, unwinding with a relaxing bath or shower, and more. Given how much time we spend in our bathrooms, it’s important that they remain stylish, comfortable, and functional.
However, the signs of an outdated bathroom often creep up slowly over time. Discoloration builds up, fixtures break down, and layouts no longer suit our needs. Putting off a remodel can leave you with an unpleasant space that makes daily routines more difficult.
Upgrading your bathroom pays dividends when it comes to improving your home’s aesthetic appeal, comfort, and functionality. Read on to learn the eight most common signs that indicate it’s time to remodel your bathroom.
Sign #1: Outdated Fixtures
One of the clearest signs your bathroom is due for an update is outdated fixtures. This includes your:
- Toilet
- Sink and faucet
- Bathtub and/or shower
- Lighting
Fixture styles have changed through the decades. What was once popular can start to look unsightly and out of place.
For example, avocado green and mustard yellow color schemes were trendy in the 1950s and 1960s. But for modern tastes, these bold retro colors can feel dated.
Replacing fixtures like toilets, tubs, sinks, faucets, and lighting with contemporary styles instantly modernizes your bathroom’s aesthetic. Popular current styles include:
- Vessel sinks sitting atop the vanity
- Wall-mounted faucets
- Seamless glass shower doors
- LED lighting
Aside from appearance, upgrading fixtures also improves functionality. New showerheads offer improved pressure and settings. Innovative toilets use less water per flush while removing waste more effectively. And sensor faucets increase accessibility.
If the fixtures in your bathroom blend in better with a mid-century aesthetic, it’s a sign a remodel could make the space feel fresh.
Sign #2: Leaks and Damage
Dripping faucets, mold around windows and ceilings, or cracked tiles signal more than just an eyesore. They indicate your bathroom needs functional repairs.
Water damage from leaks or excess moisture can negatively impact your home. Issues include:
- Rotting framing – Wet wood framing attracts mold and rots, compromising structural integrity.
- Damaged surfaces – Drywall, wallpaper, wood trim, and cabinets absorb moisture and warp.
- Mold growth – Excess moisture enables mold to grow in hidden crevices.
- Warped floors – Water causes wooden subfloors and floor tiles to buckle.
While you may be eager to simply patch a leak or replace some tiles, that only temporarily masks a larger issue. The underlying cause of the damage also needs to be addressed through a full bathroom remodel.
During the remodel, problematic plumbing and ventilation can be updated to prevent future damage. Surfaces will also be replaced, providing a fresh canvas for your new bathroom design.
Sign #3: Poor Ventilation
For a healthy and comfortable bathroom, good ventilation is a must. Without proper airflow, warm humid air cannot escape.
Insufficient ventilation leads to condensation buildup on surfaces. This provides the ideal damp environment for mold growth.
Signs your bathroom lacks adequate ventilation include:
- Persistent dampness and humidity
- Mold or mildew on walls and ceilings
- Peeling paint or wallpaper
- A musty odor
- Foggy mirror after a shower
Poor ventilation not only damages your bathroom but also creates an unpleasant environment. Excess moisture in the air makes the room feel muggy and uncomfortable.
During a bathroom remodel, your contractor can install effective exhaust fans and ventilation. Many modern fans feature humidity sensors and timers to automatically clear steam.
Ventilating your bathroom properly keeps the air fresh and inhibits mold growth.
Sign #4: Limited Storage Space
Our bathrooms inevitably turn into storage spaces for all types of items. From towels to toiletries to cleaning supplies, our cabinets and drawers quickly fill up.
Limited storage space leads to clutter buildup on the counters and floor. This gives your bathroom a constantly messy appearance that makes it feel smaller.
Some signs your bathroom lacks adequate storage include:
- Piles of towels strewn about
- Counter space crowded with toiletries
- Supplies stored under the sink or in the shower
- Difficulty organizing medications
During a bathroom remodel, there are many ways to add storage solutions:
- Add a storage cabinet over the toilet
- Use tall bathroom cabinets
- Install shelves in corners or over the door
- Include a medicine cabinet with a mirror
- Opt for cabinets with built-in organizers
With sufficient places to store items out of sight, you can keep your new bathroom design looking orderly.
Sign #5: Uncomfortable Temperature
A bathroom should be a comfortable oasis, but it can be difficult when the temperature is not right. This room tends to run either too cold or too hot.
Frigid tile floors make you hurry through your morning routine. Steamy showers leave you sweaty when you get out.
Ideally, your bathroom should maintain a pleasant ambiance between 68 and 72°F year-round. This enables you to comfortably relax and start your mornings.
If your bathroom is often too cold or too hot, it likely lacks proper insulation and air circulation. During a remodel, this can be remedied by:
- Installing insulation in exterior walls
- Sealing air leaks around windows and doors
- Upgrading ventilation systems
- Adding heated floors
- Using a small space heater or humidifier
With better temperature control, your bathroom transforms into a pleasant space you look forward to spending time in.
Sign #6: Lack of Privacy
Our bathrooms are private sanctuaries from busy household life. But certain flaws can leave your bathroom feeling exposed and insecure.
Signs your bathroom lacks sufficient privacy include:
- Missing door or open entryway
- Large gaps around the door
- Thin hollow-core door
- No lock on the door
- Shared jack-and-jill bathroom connected to another room
During a remodel, you can regain privacy by:
- Installing a solid-core door
- Adding door sweeps and seals to close gaps
- Upgrading to a door with a lock
- Building a partition wall if sharing a jack-and-jill bathroom
Other privacy upgrades include obscuring glass windows and placing the toilet within its own partition area.
With simple upgrades, you can transform your bathroom into a relaxing oasis.
Sign #7: High Energy Bills
Do your monthly energy bills seem excessively high? An outdated bathroom with inefficient features could be to blame.
Many older bathrooms lack proper insulation and contain appliances that use more energy. Contributing factors to high energy bills include:
- Poor insulation leading to heat loss
- Incandescent lighting
- Low-flow showerheads and faucets
- Old electric water heater without insulation
- Water leaks
Remodeling your bathroom presents the perfect opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient features. Examples include:
- Added insulation in walls and ceilings
- LED lighting
- Low-flow plumbing fixtures
- Tankless water heater
- Water-saving toilets
Not only do these features cut energy consumption, but they also lower your power bills each month. Energy-efficient appliances and lighting also reduce your environmental impact.
Sign #8: Low Resale Value
Your bathroom’s appearance, layout, and functionality can significantly influence the value of your home. Buyers want updated bathrooms that suit their needs with modern amenities.
An outdated bathroom can lower your property value and turn off potential buyers. Telltale signs your bathroom is hurting your resale value:
- Builder-grade laminate counters and outdated fixtures
- Poor use of space with a cramped layout
- Only one bathroom for a 3+ bedroom home
- Visible water damage or leaks
- Lack of en-suite bathroom connected to master bedroom
- No ventilation window or exhaust fan
Remodeling your bathroom enables you to check off features that buyers look for, such as:
- Custom cabinetry and updated fixtures
- Spa-like amenities, like a soaking tub
- Expansive vanity and ample storage
- En-suite bathroom for master bedroom
- Open, flowing layout with sufficient space
While a bathroom remodel represents an investment, it’s one that typically yields 70-80% ROI when selling your home. The project makes your home more attractive to buyers, allowing you to recoup costs.
Conclusion
Our bathrooms deserve to feel like a relaxing oasis, not a dysfunctional afterthought. But recognizing when it’s time for an upgrade can be tricky. Keep an eye out for these eight signs indicating your bathroom needs remodeling:
- Outdated fixtures
- Leaks or water damage
- Poor ventilation
- Limited storage space
- Uncomfortable temperature
- Lack of privacy
- High energy bills
- Diminished resale value
Addressing these common issues through a bathroom remodel enhances the comfort, aesthetics, and functionality of this important space. The project allows you to tailor your bathroom to meet your lifestyle needs while increasing your home’s value.
With the right upgrades, your bathroom becomes a pleasant, hygienic, and calming space you enjoy spending time in and showing off. Give your bathroom the attention it deserves. The signs indicate it’s time for a remodel!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does a bathroom remodel take?
A: The timeline depends on the extent of the remodel, but most bathroom remodels take 2-6 weeks from start to finish.
Q: How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom?
A: The average bathroom remodel costs $10,000-$25,000. The exact price depends on the size of your bathroom, chosen materials, and how much work needs to be done.
Q: Should I do a partial or full remodel?
A: Partial remodels focusing only on surfaces like tile and paint tend to provide lower ROI. To increase home value, a full remodel replacing fixtures and layout is recommended.
Q: What are current popular bathroom trends?
A: Some current trends include neutral colors, marble accents, vessel sinks, mismatched fixtures, wall-mounted faucets, frameless showers, and smart tech.
Q: Should I DIY or hire a contractor?
A: Unless you have remodeling experience, hiring a qualified contractor is advised. They manage the project and can complete technical work like plumbing and electrical.
Q: How do I stay within my bathroom remodel budget?
A: Set a realistic budget upfront and choose mid-range options for a balance of style and affordability. Create a detailed wishlist and determine must-haves vs. non-essentials.
Q: How do I maintain my redesigned bathroom?
A: Daily tidying, thorough weekly cleaning, clearing soap scum and using bathroom caulk/sealants helps maintain your new space. Also address leaks right away to prevent damage.
Q: What design styles work well for bathrooms?
A: Classic, modern, contemporary, transitional, and cottage styles are popular and timeless bathroom aesthetics. Choose one style and decor to create a unified look.
