Home Improvement For Your Bathroom
July 29, 2008
In the current depressed housing market, many people are considering home improvement projects to their current home, rather than selling it. One potential area for home improvement that is often overlooked, involves upgrading “the smallest room in the house”. That’s right, the bathroom.
People often overlook overdoing the bathroom because it is so basic: After all, it’s where we take a bath right? Not necessarily. In the U.S., there are three types of bathrooms: A full bath legally must have a bathtub, shower, toilet and sink. A three-quarter batheroom must have a shower, sink and toilet, which a half bathroom, or powder room, only has a sink and toilet.
There are many projects that could be done to improve any of these rooms. These projects and be done to make the room more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing to the homeowner. For example, many people install new window treatments or an attractive lightnig fixture. Of course, many projects are just done out of necessity: Toilets, sinks, showers and bath tubs all have moving parts that wear out just like everything else. And, of course, accidents happen. Things break and need to be replaced.
Other projects could be done to make the room safer and accessible for disabled and/or elderly family members. Grab bars in the shower or by the toilet are important fixtures, as are non-slip strips and brighter lighting and bath seats.
Other projects can be done to improve a home’s resale value. In these days of environmental consciousness, many people are installing water-saving toilets and water fixtures and light bulbs that are more energy efficient. People still like luxuries and are opting to put in a hot tub for their own private spa.
Home improvement projects can be do-it-yourself ventures, such as installing fans, medicine cabins, vents, vanities, lights and/or shower doors. Often a new coat of paint is all the room needs for a new look. These are relatively easy projects and are fairly inexpensive. The internet and your local home improvement store has a lot of information how to do these yourself. They can also help you replace faucets, repair or change the flooring or replace kitchen cabinets. Of course, there is always routine maintenance to be done to keep all equipment functioning well.
Larger projects may require professional help. Replacing or repairing a tub, installing a whirlpool tub or completely redesigning the room are best done by professionals or you risk making major mistakes that could cost big money. For example, installing a bathtub/shower insert wrong could make the room aesthetically ugly and hurt your home’s resale value.
So, if you are considering remodeling your home, don’t overlook that very important little room. Little changes can make a big difference in your home.
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