Master Bathrooms

Perhaps one of life's greatest indulgences is the master bathroom. These rooms are private retreats, personal oases, escapes from the outside world. However bathrooms are more than just places to pamper yourself. They are also smart financial investments if you ever plan to resell your home.

The Value of the Master Bathroom

Real estate experts know that bathrooms and kitchens sell homes. In fact, a master bathroom is considered the second most important part of the interior to prospective home buyers. The master bathroom is runner up only to the kitchen as the most important room among home buyers. In fact, upgrading a bathroom can add thousands of dollars to the resale value of a property, according to a study published in 2008 by ebathroom.net, a website that offers advice on designing bathrooms.

Bathroom Renovations

Bathroom renovations can run from minor to major projects. On the minor side are things like adding new faucets and hardware. Faucets should not only be shiny and beautiful, these should also be water efficient. Today's options, like hands free faucets, are more environmentally friendly than past models. We will discuss more about green bathrooms further down in the article.

Major renovations could be installing new floors or adding a tub. If you are concerned with your home's resale value and you don't have a tub in the master bathroom, this is a smart project to undertake. Prospective homebuyers want tubs in their new homes. If that tub is a whirlpool, jacuzzi or jet tub, even better. Although most Americans don't have the time to take long soaks in the tub, they are intrigued by, and buy into, the idea of a relaxing bathroom.

Another major renovation is completely "greening" a bathroom. As the green build movement gathers momentum, prospective home buyers will start to add sustainability to the top of their home shopping list. Ways to green a bathroom include:

• installing efficient faucets and low flow toilets.
• buying cabinets made from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood.
• laying flooring made from recycled glass. Recycled glass can also be used as backsplashes in the shower or by the sink.
• ensuring proper ventilation to fight mildew and protect the indoor air quality in the room.
• using durable products to avoid landfill waste down the road.

Bathroom Renovation Tips

Once you decide to renovate your master bathroom keep these tips in mind to create a highly-functioning personal haven and retreat:

• Dedicate as much space as possible to the bathroom. In today's bathrooms, anything goes. If you have the space and budget you can add a walk-in closet, workout room, spa area, sauna , jacuzzi or even a bar and entertainment center.
• Separate the bathing area from the toilets and sinks. Use partition or wall divider to create private spaces within the larger room. This is an especially nice touch if you share the bathroom with a partner.
• Use color. Luckily bathrooms are no longer done in only shocking pink, frog green and white. Decorate your bathroom walls just as you would any other room in the house. Don’t be afraid to add rich color to the walls and beautiful treatments on the windows.
• Add some texture. Mix materials to create some visual interest. Consider adding glass, terazzo, ceramic, marble, and even teak in the bathroom.
• Splurge on special touches. If you have the budget, outfit your bathroom like the ones in luxury hotels. Towel heaters and radiant floor heating are wonderful treats in the shower area. Stock up on your favorite toiletries and keep fresh flowers in the room. The bathroom should be a place where you go for relaxation and renewal. If you don’t have the space for a jacuzzi, perhaps you can add jets to your tub. Keep an ample supply of bubble bath and sea salts handy.

Consider adding or renovating a master bathroom in your home. It makes good sense for your well being and your portfolio.

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