When it’s done right, a revamped bathroom can add upwards of $100,000 to the value of your home according to some property experts.
Renovation brothers, winners of The Block 2014 and Beaumont Tiles Ambassadors, Simon and Shannon Vos, have these four handy tips to help you maximise the return on your next bathroom renovation project:
Simple space savers: If you live in a capital city or apartment, chances are your bathroom is on the small side. This means you have play Tetris with your bathroom essentials.
“As a starting point, I always begin by using a toilet with a wall recessed cistern to remove unnecessary clutter from the walls and give the illusion of space,” said Shannon.
“Compliment this with a clean straight-lined sink like Beaumonts’ Belinda Semi Rec Basin as this will continue to elongate and streamline the overall look of the bathroom. Then pair with a floating vanity to further open the ground-level floorplan.”
When selecting your wall or floor tile, consider a tile with movement, colour variation and texture in the design, as opposed to a solid pattern. Less is more.
Adding value without the big bucks: A professional plumber by trade, Simon recommends using the existing plumbing profiles to save on costs.
He said often the basic layout of a bathroom is fine; it’s the details in the fixtures, fittings and coverings that create unnecessary bulk - dating and weighing down the space.
“I like to replace old outdated taps with new refreshed models, and if in doubt opt for a clean thin model, just remember to keep the tap’s configuration the same. If it’s a splitter tap keep it as is - the same goes for shower heads.”
Storage is key: This is where Tetris comes in. The bathroom is one of the most used areas of the home, but is also one of the smallest. That’s why storage is so valuable.
“You need to be strategic with storage from your shelving right through to your vanity,” says Shannon. “Build into the walls of your bathroom if need be, and try building shelving into your shower wall, next to your bath or above the vanity. Choose a profile that won’t add bulk to your overall design,” he added.
Magic mirrors: “Never underestimate the power of a large and strategically placed mirror,” Simon said. “It can open up a space in an instant and also inject a touch of much needed light.” When placed in the most effective spot, mirrors also have the ability to expand walls, amplify existing light or break up visual clutter.
Using a tall and skinny mirror will give a room a more vertical look while a single, wider mirror will open up the room by reflecting more of the opposite walls.