Better Baths: Quick Tips for Investors

Interior Design Team Lead, Dalas Dodd, gives us some of her top tips when it comes to remodeling better baths.

When it comes to perfecting your renovations, there is always room for improvement. Whether you are a new flipper or a seasoned investor, you can always learn something new. Here are some tips that you can implement today!

Shower heads

There is nothing worse than walking into a freshly remodeled bathroom that is beautiful and clean, only to look in and notice that the shower head has not been raised. Being 6 feet tall myself, this is especially disappointing. I know how simple it is to raise the shower head during the plumbing phase of a remodel. Plan this during your initial walk-through to avoid a costly mistake down the road. You want your remodel to appeal to the majority of buyers, this includes short and tall alike. Depending on ceiling heights, we suggest installing your shower head at 7 feet to 7 and a half feet above the finished floor. This ensures that any buyer will be able to shower comfortably and not see a low shower head as a deterrent to buy.

Light height

In a similar vein, it is very important to install your vanity light fixtures at the proper height. Installing your vanity fixture too low, or not bothering to raise the existing j box will limit your mirror selections and might not suit your taller buyers. If you’re installing a light fixture directly above the vanity sink, a great measurement to always go with is 7 feet 3 inches above the finished floor. Installing a fixture at this height will allow you to install a 36 inch tall mirror with ease and accommodate most bathroom light fixtures.

Wall tile installation

When it comes to tile installation, we always recommend taking the wall tile all the way up to the ceiling. There will of course, on occasion, be special circumstances such as an angle or vaulted ceiling where this might not be possible but anytime you have a standard 8 to 9 foot ceiling you always want to install the tile all the way up. This gives the illusion of a taller bathroom and gives the overall space a finished feeling. Make sure that when you are ordering material that you account for this square footage and order enough that you aren’t left short for any reason.

Differentiate your selections

Another belief of ours when it comes to picking out that tile, is that the bathrooms should feel related but be different. When you install the same tile in every bathroom, or repeat finishes throughout the home it gives the buyer the impression that not much thought was put into the finish selections. If you are able to pick finishes that have a similar look and feel, but are differentiated in each space, it makes the home feel more custom and thought through – something that is especially helpful in markets with tight flip returns to make your remodel stand out.

Where to splurge

Additionally when it comes to bathroom selections, I urge you to splurge a bit in the Primary Bath. More often than not, whomever is buying your remodeled house is going to be residing in the primary suite. Once you’ve determined your rehab budget, you can determine how much you can spend on the Primary Bath. You don’t have to go overboard, but definitely opt for upgraded finishes in this bathroom rather than your hall, or guest bath. Ways in which I suggest upgrading is by incorporating some marble tile, nicer faucets and fixtures, providing ample storage, and increasing the window size if possible. It is always nice for bathrooms to have as much light as possible, just don’t forget to order a window with privacy glass!