Tap into a bathroom makeover for a faster sale

Beautiful bathrooms are key attractions for prospective buyers, coming a close second to stylish kitchens, so for home sellers it is worth putting time and money into making them look really great. 

And while you may not have the budget to create an ultra-luxury chamber complete with marble tiles, underfloor heating, a sauna and a steam shower, there are many less expensive improvements you can make, individually or collectively.  

 However, before you do anything cosmetic, you should first make sure that the essentials are all working, and that there are no leaks or damaged areas. Plumbing, structural and electrical repairs can be costly, so you need to be aware of these upfront so you can adjust your budget accordingly.

Next you need to decide if you need a more room, a new layout, perhaps just a design update. Assuming you want to avoid actual demolition and reconstruction if possible, just replacing an old bath with a stylish glass shower will immediately make the room look more spacious. Installing bright modern light fixtures and new hardware also helps, as does wall and floor tiling in a light neutral colour, and a new vanity with double sinks if there is space. 

And if you're on an extremely tight budget or need to sell really urgently, your best bet is just to repaint in a neutral shade, install a large new medicine/ makeup cabinet, declutter the space and hang fresh towels.

As for design, this should be in keeping with the rest of the home, and you should avoid trendy materials, colours and patterns which tend to date very quickly. 

In addition, whatever your level of expenditure, you should always ensure that all surfaces, mirrors and taps are cleaned and polished to a sparkle before show days or buyer viewings. Pristine is what everyone wants their bathroom to be.