For style, sanctuary, and ROI, you can’t go wrong with these bathroom design ideas.
All those pretty photos on all those pretty home design websites are fun to click through — but maddening when you’re making bathroom remodeling decisions. Too many choices.
We’ve got your back: We distilled all the visual noise down to the essence of what makes a bathroom remodel truly great.
With the “Remodeling Impact Report” from the National Association of REALTORS® estimating the typical cost of a bathroom remodel at $35,000, you’ll want to make sure you get maximum comfort, convenience, and enjoyment — and resale juice when the time comes to sell.
#1 Heated Ceramic Tile Flooring
Enduring, waterproof, and good-looking, ceramic tile bathroom flooring is the classic, never-out-of-style surface material for any bathroom. Plus, consumers (read: future buyers) love it: In a survey from the National Kitchen and Bath Association, 83% of respondents said ceramic tile was their No. 1 choice for bathroom flooring. With prices ranging from a mere $1 per square foot to $20 and more, you’ll find a huge array of choices, styles, and colors that’ll work with any budget.
But ceramic tile can chill your tootsies. Pair your ceramic with thin electric radiant mats that go under the tile without raising the floor level — ideal for retrofit installations.
Radiant heat is often more efficient than forced-air heating because it eliminates heat loss through the ducts, says the U.S. Department of Energy. It also distributes heat uniformly across the floor, taking less time to warm a room than other types of heat.
At $5 to $15 per square foot to install, radiant mats are as easy on the budget as they are on the sole.
#2 Curbless Walk-in Shower
More than 60% of respondents to a recent survey by the American Institute of Architects said walk-in, curbless showers are gaining popularity. It’s for good reason: They’re stylish, safe for folks of all ages, and oh so easy to clean.
They dovetail nicely with ceramic tile floors, too. You can have one continuous surface that moves seamlessly from the shower to the main bath area.
Plus, they’re all about marketability. As the population ages, a contemporary walk-in is a selling point.
#3 Quartz Countertop
We love natural stone, but in this battleground of soaps, lotions, pastes, and poultices, we prefer the impervious beauty of synthetic, low-VOC quartz.
“Consumer Reports” testing gives the edge to quartz over granite, citing quartz’s ability to resist stains and abrasions. It’ll look good year after year. Plus, the surface is so impervious that bacteria can’t lodge in it.
As with any remodel, make sure you hire licensed contractors to do the work. We are here if you have questions!
