Looking to replan your bathroom? Redesigning isn't just about how it looks, although that's vitally important, it's about practicalities, too. Andrew Winter, Channel 4's estate agent-in-the-know gives us his top tips to creating the perfect space.
Prices correct as of September 2006
Aside from being one of the most important rooms for your domestic needs, the bathroom is also one of the primary rooms, after the kitchen, that really helps to sell your house. So every aspect of your bathroom has to be well considered, from sanitary ware and fixtures down to flooring and wall finishes. By watching the budget and arming yourself with expert information, you can achieve the perfect balance.
It's not just a question of asking yourself what your bathroom lacks - it's more about getting as much flexibility into the room to get it to work for you now and for years to come. You should never opt for a wet room or shower in place of a bath, for instance, because future buyers will always want a bath. But if you can fit both in, or at least a power shower over the bath, all the better.
If there's space, think big - double sinks aren't just fashionable and a draw for future buyers - they're very practical, too. Try to create as much built-in storage as possible, which should save shelf space in other rooms.
Use every trick in the book - from bright halogen lighting and large mirrors to pale, reflective flooring and subtle window treatments - to improve the amount of light (and the feeling of space) in what is often the smallest room in the house.
The thing to remember about a bathroom makeover is that you really can't do it yourself. Plumbing, tiling and electrics all require professional expertise, and that costs money. A full-on bathroom refit comes a close second to a kitchen revamp in terms of expense and inconvenience.
Try and adapt your expenditure to your home's value. DIY centres offer stylish and functional suites - like this one from B&Q - so you needn't pay a fortune, but never compromise on the installation, because a botched job will be costly to put right.
It's difficult to calculate exactly how much value a new bathroom could add to your property. What I can say is that it will definitely increase your chances of selling your home and have a positive effect on how people view your property. If two identical properties were for sale in the same street, the one with the better (more modern) bathroom would probably fetch up to £5,000 more than the other and sell more quickly, too. Generally speaking, I wouldn't advise you to give up a bedroom for the sake of creating a bigger, better bathroom, unless, of course, you have a particularly large house with bedrooms to spare.
Find a trusted bathroom fitter in your area using MyBuilder.
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