Advice For Staging Your Bathroom
Although the bathroom isn't the most popular room in a house, buyers are more likely to criticize it when they look at homes.
Sellers should not overlook the power and value of staging small spaces, such as master en suites or full bathrooms, in addition to fixed plumbing elements like toilets, sinks, and vanities.
A bathroom that looks great for buyers is clean and neat, with plenty of storage. For tips on staging your bathroom to sell, read this article.
Step 1: Assess The Bathroom
Because of their small size and function, bathrooms can be difficult rooms to stage. In addition, full bathroom renovations are expensive. Therefore, it is best to keep your existing flooring, fixtures, and cabinets. A quick assessment is the best place to begin.
If you are listing your bathroom for sale, take a photo of it and note any problems. It is worth comparing it with bathrooms in other areas to see the overall condition and decor.
Step 2: Make Minor Improvements To Your Bathroom
Before decorating and cleaning, make sure you inspect any small defects that could deter buyers. Bathrooms are usually not very large, so you can make big changes without spending too much money. These are some places you can start.
Repaint
A fresh coat of paint is one of the best home staging tricks. This is a great way to update the bathroom's look in a matter of hours.
Semigloss paint is the best choice because it's easy to clean. For bathrooms with low moisture exposure, such as powder rooms, satin and eggshell finishes are best. A gallon of paint can be purchased for between $20 and $30, depending on the brand. In addition, paint supplies such as a brush, roller, and drop cloth are only $50 to $50.
A Paint Color Analysis revealed that homes with light, blue, or periwinkle bathrooms sell higher than expected.
Wallpaper is best for powder rooms. Although it can have a fashionable impact, it can also affect lighting. Therefore, it is not recommended for bathrooms where buyers are getting ready every day. The powder room is an ideal place to test out bold patterns and wallpaper. You don't need to worry about patterns making your room appear smaller because it is a small space.
Refinish The Tub
Buyers will notice cracked, stained, or rusted bathtubs. A buyer might use a damaged bathtub to lower the price or get repair credit. However, it could deter buyers looking for move-in-ready properties. There are several options available for fixing bathtubs.
Replacing the tub can be costly, even though the tub is only a few hundred dollars. For a perfect fit and finish, you will need a plumber.
Reglaze The Tub: This is also known as refinishing and can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000 depending on what type of tub you have and how it's condition. A professional can usually reglaze cast iron, fiberglass, and steel tubs. A DIY reglazing kit can be purchased for as low as $100, but it may not be as effective.
Repair Noisy Exhaust Fans
A potential buyer or inspector will turn on your bathroom exhaust fan during the transaction or listing process. Older exhaust fans can be eyesore and noisy, as well as prone to rattling.
An exhaust fan for a bathroom can cost between $70 to $225, depending on its brand and how many bells and whistles it has. Is it just a fan or a fan with light fixtures? Or a fan with a heater? You can expect to pay between $65 and $75 per hour to have it installed by a professional.
Replace Peeling Caulk
You will need to replace caulking no matter how well you take care of your bathroom. Caulking is not designed to last forever and can crack, peel, or shrink. Caulking seals out water to prevent water damage. Therefore, it is important to keep it current. Old caulk can be prone to mildew growth, mold, and discoloration. Replacing it can help make your bathroom cleaner.
Recaulking is an easy DIY job for home staging. While removing old caulking can be time-consuming, installing new caulking is easy. The cost of a tube of caulk and a roll painter's tape to apply it should be around $10.
Repair Leaking Or Dripping Faucets
A leaking faucet, or one that drips, can lead to water damage. It can also make your bathroom look neglected. A leaky faucet can be fixed by tightening screws. However, a plumber will usually repair the problem for $100 if there is a problem with the valve or washer. In some cases, replacing the entire faucet yourself may be more cost-effective than hiring a plumber to repair it.
Update Hardware
A new faucet, depending on your budget, can transform the entire look of your bathroom vanity. Unfortunately, it costs between $75-$200. The same goes for your bath fixtures and showerheads. To update old fixtures, you can use DIY metal spray paint. It is also worth replacing knobs or pulls on cabinets.
Bathroom Staging Step 3: Deep Clean
A dirty bathroom is not something anyone wants, especially buyers. Bathrooms are very susceptible to mildew, grime, and other debris. Therefore, it is a must that your house be thoroughly cleaned before you put it on the market.
Here's A Cleaning List:
For tile cleaning, use an all-purpose cleaner. You can loosen grime by steaming in a hot bath.
Use a grout brush to clean grout.
Clear soap scum from shower doors with a combination of baking soda and white vinegar. To avoid water spots, use a squeegee to clean the shower.
Let the showerhead soak overnight in white vinegar, a plastic bag, and a rubber band. This will remove any buildup which could cause water pressure problems (something that the buyer's inspector will certainly check).
Clean the toilet with a regular cleaner. To remove limescale, you can also use baking soda and a pumice rock.
Clean Your Sink: Use disinfecting wipes to clean all surfaces. Clear any blockages in the drains with chemicals or a snake instrument.
Clean Up The Lighting: Dust and remove all covers. The same goes for cleaning windows.
Step 4: Add Storage And Furnish Your Bathroom
No matter the size of your bathroom, buyers want extra storage.
Add A Stool Or Bench To Your Home
If your bathroom has a vanity, you should consider adding some seating. However, even if your bathroom doesn't have one, a stool or spa-inspired bench can add style and function to an otherwise empty space.
A Cabinet Can Be Added
A cabinet is a great way of adding storage, whether a floor cabinet or an overhead shelf. This is particularly important if you have a pedestal sink in your bathroom. Pedestal sinks are beautiful, but they don't offer storage.
Decorate With Baskets
To store essentials such as cleaning supplies and toilet paper, use wire baskets or wicker. You can also hide toiletries under the sink and in the linen closets. It is common for buyers to open closets and cabinets, so organizing storage is important.
Small Accessories Are Important
Add some flair to your bathroom with accessories such as a toilet paper holder or glass containers for cotton balls, swabs, or other accessories.
Step 5: Improve Lighting
A bathroom is where most people wash their hands. Unfortunately, poorly lit bathrooms are not attractive in photos or in person. So spend some time improving the lighting. Here are some suggestions:
Soft Lighting
Use 100-watt soft white bulbs in bathrooms. Standard LED lights can be too bright and wash out people.
Smart Bulbs
Smart home features are a popular choice for many buyers. Some smart bulbs offer more advanced features such as music, mood lighting, and color-changing options.
New Fixtures
Update your home's lighting with modern fixtures. For example, remove the vanity's track lighting and replace it with a more subtle two- or three-light fixture.
Task Lighting
A modern touch to any bathroom is task lighting. This includes a backlit mirror and an additional shaving mirror. A smart double-in-one mirror with built-in lighting can be a smart choice if your mirror needs to be replaced.
Step 6: Create A Calm Atmosphere In Your Bathroom
The bathroom should be warm and welcoming and provide a place for getting ready before going to work or relaxing with a book and a soak after a hard day. So it's not surprising that upscale hotels have spa-like bathrooms.
Although it may seem inconvenient to put your bathroom on the market when you use it daily, your home will only be there for two to three months in most real estate markets. This is a temporary inconvenience that can help you sell your home faster.
How To Set Up A Bathroom Counter
This is the best time to throw out those empty shampoo bottles and other toiletries. Make sure to keep mismatched makeup, lotions, and toiletries in a basket under your sink. To maximize space appearance, keep the countertops as clean as possible.
After you have removed all personal care items from your daily life, decorate with the rule of three. This means that decor items are grouped in odd numbers, particularly threes. These are some examples to inspire you:
Clear glass containers can be filled with cotton swabs or cotton balls.
To create a spa-like atmosphere, use unlit candles and decorative stones.
Accentuate with delicate greenery, fresh flowers, or small plants.
Wrap decorative soaps in a container.
Before open houses and showings, be sure to have a clean, dry, unused towel on hand.
How To Stage A Bathroom Cupboard
Buyers will open your drawers and cabinet doors, so make sure you don't leave anything under the sink. To make sure buyers feel that there is enough storage, limit the contents of your cabinets. For linens and other toiletries, wire shelves or baskets can be used. Make sure you have your prescription medication out of reach before showing. It is best to keep them out of your home or locked away somewhere safe.
How To Style Bathroom Towels
A cheap way to make your bathroom feel like a luxury hotel is to buy new fluffy white towels. Place the folded towels in thirds so that the edges are covered. Finally, hang a white plush robe at the back of your door.
How To Organize A Shower
Bathroom staging is incomplete without a new shower curtain. This is an inexpensive upgrade, and you can pick one that matches the color of your bathroom. Although they are more expensive than plastic liners, cloth liners look better than those made of plastic.
Take out plastic racks and shower caddies. Hanging metal caddies can be kept up as long as they are clean and free from mildew or rust. If you don't use expensive shampoos or conditioners in gorgeous bottles, keep all bath essentials under the sink. You can also buy matching pump bottles to keep one in your shower.
How To Set Up A Toilet
Maintaining a clean toilet is the most important aspect of cleaning it. Make sure to clean the outside and bowl of the toilet regularly and disinfect any surfaces. To maintain cleanliness, you might consider purchasing a disinfecting tab for the tank.
When it comes to staging your toilet, you should keep it simple. For example, unattractive items such as step stools, plungers, and cleaning brushes should be removed.
