How do I Stage My Bathroom?

You always hear that  kitchens and the bathrooms sell the house. They can also be the reason that a house does not sell. People are afraid of bathroom renovations because they can be expensive. Don’t give buyers a reason to turn their nose up at your bathroom.

What if your bathroom is less than spectacular, or is downright horrible?

Do you have to do a bathroom renovation before you sell your house, OR can you stage a bathroom?

You can absolutely stage a bathroom. Below you will find some inexpensive solutions to common bathroom ugliness.

Dated Fixtures

So your bathroom fixtures are some lovely colour from the past, perhaps pink, blue or green or that seventies gold? One option, which is the best, is to replace the fixtures. This may seem like a big job, but it’s really not. You don’t have to buy the fanciest sinks and toilets out there, just decent and WHITE!! You can often get a complete toilet at a big box store for around $100, and if you are a little handy, is not difficult to install.

A new sink isn’t very much money either. And, it is quite likely that your countertop needs to be changed if your fixtures are dated, so do that when you change the sink. A nice new set of taps can top off the scene like a nice necklace.

So, what do you do about the tub?? There are a few easy solutions, and it depends on what you currently have, what you can do about it.

If your bathtub is one of the old steel tubs that is just the wrong colour, have it resurfaced. You can do it for about $350. That may seem like a lot when a new steel tub is less than $200, but replacing the tub requires a plumber and will likely cause you to have to fix or replace tiles as well.

If the tub and tiles are hideous, use a service like Bathfitter. For about $2000 they can create a custom acrylic liner that will cover the old tub and tiles with a single unit, and once they make it, they install it in a day.

There are some bathroom companies who can do a complete overhaul of your bathroom for about $3500, which includes replacing the fixtures and resurfacing the bathtub and tiles. That is a pretty low price for an update. All you have to do is provide a fresh coat of paint and some nice fluffy clean towels.

If you have very little money to spend, here are some REALLY inexpensive bathroom fixes. Paint the bathroom in a colour that makes the fixtures work. Replace the counter with one that works with the colour of the paint and fixtures. If you can’t change the tub or tile, put up a nice shower curtain and keep it closed.

Ugly Tiles

If the tiles are really ugly, but are in good condition, they can be painted. I don’t ever suggest painting tiles inside the bath/shower area, but on the walls is fine. Any surface can be painted if it is prepared properly.

Give the surface of the tiles a good clean with a product like TSP. Then rough the surface using sandpaper. This will remove some of the shine and allow the primer to stick better. Use a good quality primer. I would use an oil-based primer. Then paint over top of the primed surface. It is not permanent, but it will last a long time if done well.

There are companies that will resurface tiles also. This resurfacing is more expensive, but it looks really good and lasts longer than paint.

Grout and Caulking

If you have mold issues…..like that black slimy stuff that develops on your caulking, or in your grout lines…..or if the grout and caulking is falling out, FIX IT.

Remove the existing caulking by scraping or cutting it out. There are solvents available to help dissolve old caulking. Then re-caulk using an appropriate colour. Use white if the fixtures are white, but if you have almond or beige, use almond caulking. It will look cleaner. If you are not good a caulking, find someone who is. There is nothing worse than a sloppy caulking job. To help it look better, you can tape off the edges to get nice clean lines. Have rags around to wipe off excess caulking while it is wet and perhaps use a caulking shaping tool. I personally, use my fingers.

Grout can be a little more work. If it is crumbling, obtain a grout removal tool and scrape as much of the crumbling grout from in between the tiles and then re-grout, following the instructions on the grout package. Consult a professional if you are not comfortable with the process, but it is not really difficult.

If the grout is not crumbling, but it looks bad, you can try to clean it with a toothbrush and some bleach product, but you can also recover the grout lines. Look for these products in a hardware store or one of the big box stores.

Flooring

NEVER, EVER, have carpeting in the bathroom (not even those fuzzy toilet covers…..ew!). Most people are quite disgusted by the thoughts of what could be trapped in carpet that is in a bathroom. If you have carpet, remove it. It can be replaced with tile, or linoleum/vinyl, or even peel and stick tiles.

A bathroom floor is not very big. Investing in a new floor is not very much money and has a huge impact.

Dated Vanities

If the cabinetry in your bathroom is dated, I suggest paint and new hardware. This is one of the easiest fixes. Dated oak cabinets are likely to be solid but ugly. Prepare and paint the surface with white, dark brown, or select a colour that will help other elements that you are not going to change work better.

A new counter is an inexpensive way to update the vanity area also.

Lighting

Updating a light fixture is one of the fastest ways to make your bathroom look more modern. Light fixtures don’t have to cost a lot to look good. Try to pick a fixture that matches other elements in the bathroom. If you are using brushed nickel towel bars and cabinet knobs, get a brushed nickel light fixture.

Mirrors

Many bathrooms have cheap, and cheap looking mirrors applied directly to the wall. Sometimes this looks okay, but if you find that your bathroom lacks some bling, a beautiful framed hanging mirror may be just what you need. If you cannot remove the mirror on your bathroom wall, you can build a frame around the mirror by attaching trim to the wall around the mirror. I have also seen a treatment where a decorative tile border has been applied right on top of the mirror.

Really Tiny Bathrooms

If your bathroom is really small, don’t make it seem smaller by loading it up with stuff. Don’t scream that it is too small by having over the toilet storage racks and bins tucked everywhere. I suggest removing everything except what is absolutely necessary. If you have to, keep your own toiletries in a basket in the hall closet while you are selling your house.

Use light paint colours and NO BUSY WALLPAPER. Keep everything clean and simple, and fairly monochromatic. Sometimes even a window covering will take up space in a bathroom. If you need a window covering that takes up no space, use the film that you adhere with water, to the windows. Some come in subtle patterns or colours.

Keep the shower curtain open, so that the space in your bathtub/shower area is a part of the bathroom space.

Think Spa

When decorating your bathroom, think SPA. White fluffy towels are great, unless you need to add some colour to make your bathroom work better. Don’t clutter your bathroom, but add items that make the bathroom appear to be a place of relaxation. Glass apothecary jars with soaps, or epsom salts look great. Candles, stones, shells and lots of towels are great items to add. Art is fine in the bathroom also, just make sure it is bathroom appropriate subject matter and that whatever you put in will not be ruined by moisture.

Clean, Clean, Clean

The most important thing to be aware of is how clean your bathroom is. Clean it all, and clean it well. Polish everything that is supposed to be shiny and remove stains in toilet bowls, sinks and tubs. Use bleach, or CLR for stains and rust.

If you are not a good judge of clean, hire a maid service and get the job done.

As you can see, there are many things you can do to your bathroom to make it appear acceptable to potential buyers. You may even make exceptional. I find that with a little elbow grease, many bathrooms can be greatly improved with little investment of money.

If you are not sure where to start with your bathroom or other staging projects, call Katherine an book your consultation today.