Is It Time For A Bathroom Upgrade? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore 

Is it time for a bathroom upgrade? In this post, we’ll cover several signs to look for to help you make this important decision.

It’s perfectly normal for everything we use to experience wear and tear over time – from the shoes we walk into the clothes we wear, and yes, even the bathroom we rely on day in and day out. Typically, bathroom fixtures begin to show signs of aging, with discoloration and rust on hardware, stains on sinks and bathtubs, and wear and tear on bathroom vanities. This is especially true in environments with constant moisture, where materials like wood and ceramic tiles can swell or crack. 

The good news is that a bathroom makeover can rejuvenate an aging space, transforming it into a more functional and comfortable area of your home. By addressing these common signs of wear and tear, you can breathe new life into your bathroom and create a refreshed and inviting space.

Bathroom Upgrade Signs

1. Broken Bathroom Fixtures 

Bathrooms generally have three functions: for relieving yourself, freshening up, and taking a bath. To be able to do this, you need to have a functional bathroom with a working shower, faucets, and toilet. If your fixtures are broken to the point that your bathroom does not meet the functionality of your needs, it is a sign that you should do repairs. If your bathroom needs repairs, it may be more cost-effective to do a full remodel instead of making multiple small repairs.

To make sure you are solving this properly — meaning that you’re addressing the repairs to be durable and long-lasting — and not just making temporary repairs, you may want a professional to go to your bathroom and give an assessment of the state of all your bathroom fixtures, they will be able to pinpoint which of your fixtures needs to be repaired or updated. 

2. Drips and Leaks

Aside from repairs of the fixtures, if you see any leak coming out both from pipes and plumbing AND on the infrastructure itself such as leaking from the walls and the roof, this is a sure sign for immediate repair. Leaks more or less mean that your whole infrastructure around the bathroom is weakening and that the walls are thinning out, it will be costly to replace anything that causes leaks BUT, if you do not change it as soon as possible, it will cost you more as the leaks will lead to bigger problems if not fixed. 

While looking at drips and leaks be sure to check your sink for cracks in your porcelain. If you do see something like this you’ll need a new sink.

3. Functionality

Every bathroom fulfills essential functions, but over time, your needs and preferences can evolve. When you find yourself requiring more space or enhanced features, it’s a clear sign that your bathroom is due for an upgrade. For instance, as your family expands, your bathroom may need modifications to cater to everyone’s needs. This could involve installing a double vanity or a more spacious bathtub. If your current bathroom isn’t meeting your requirements, it’s a telltale sign that it’s time for a makeover. Take, for instance, a small bathroom in need of extra storage. Through a remodel, you can seamlessly integrate additional cabinetry and shelving, transforming the space into a highly functional and accommodating oasis.

4. Lack of Accessibility

Your bathroom should be convenient for everyone, if anyone in your household has any needs that are not addressed by how your bathroom is laid out, it might be time to give your bathroom a makeover. A few examples would be if a portion of your bathroom no longer allows your growing children enough room to stand up, or if anyone has accessibility needs such as needing a wheelchair or the like, it means that your bathroom needs to be redesigned in a way that everyone in your household is given priority, everyone should have the same level of convenience when using the bathroom.

5. Outdated Bathroom

While your bathroom’s interior and design is entirely up to you, it may be a good idea to change it up a bit if it’s had the same layout for a decade or so. Having the same design, theme, and layout for a long time tends to make a bathroom feel too stuffy and old – sometimes, just the passing of time is enough to let you know you need to give your bathroom a makeover. It doesn’t necessarily have to be big changes, but you may want to redesign your bathroom every 3 or 5 years (or whatever timeline you prefer) to ensure your bathroom always looks fresh and inviting!

If you like transformations you might enjoy reading about our basement transformation: Crafting A Worthwhile Home Bar Setup

6. Trying To Save Money

It may not seem like it, but your bathroom contributes to your home utility expenses. Your water bill and electric bill depend on the bathroom’s usage most of the time. With this, if you have a little extra cash at the moment, it may be a worthwhile investment to convert your bathroom to have a more energy-saving orientation. A bathroom remodel is a great opportunity to upgrade to more energy-efficient fixtures, such as low-flow toilets and showerheads, and improve the overall energy efficiency of the space.

Energy-saving cost-effective bathroom fixtures and needs are usually available in any mall or depot everywhere, you can read up on what kind of energy-saving improvements you want to make and ask for help from the staff at the mall and depot you’re going to – they will most likely also offer installation services all for you to get your cost-effective upgrades hassle-free!

7. Challenges in Removing Dirt and Grime

After a few years of wear and tear, walls and floors generally develop a layer of dirt and build-up that can’t be removed by any amount of hand-scrubbing, soaking, or any of the more traditional cleaning methods. When you go on a cleaning session of your bathroom and notice that a layer of build-up just won’t come out of your tiles or walls anymore even if you’ve scrubbed as hard as you can, this is a sign that you should give your bathroom a cleaning makeover.

With a cleaning makeover, you don’t have to necessarily add anything new, you just have to take out everything that isn’t bolted or screwed in place such as hampers, rolling storage spaces, and the like, and buy industrial-grade materials for cleaning. Perform a deep clean of your whole bathroom with your industrial-grade cleaning materials and you’ll quickly see the difference.

Further Bathroom Cleaning Tips and Tricks:

• How To Deep Clean Your Bathroom Using Natural Cleansers
• How To Organize Bathroom Drawers
• 5 Tips To Get Your Bathroom Organized

8. Thinking About Decorating

Now this is where it gets exciting. Sometimes, there doesn’t have to be a specific “need’ before you give your bathroom a makeover. There may be no need for repairs — nothing broken, nothing outdated — but you just got the feeling that you want to transform your bathroom into a specific theme. When you get this feeling, the best you can do is follow it! It’s always a fun thing to give the spaces in your house a complete makeover, not only does it look fresher and newer than before, but it will generally give everyone something new to look forward to when they come to your home.

If you do get the itching to re-design your bathroom you can simply go online or even ask your family for any ideas they have in mind to brighten up your bathroom. Cheap DIY bathroom remodeling and makeover tips are readily available on the internet for you to follow! Just make sure you do the ample research and preparations needed and you’ll have your dream bathroom in no time. 

Things to consider updating include your fixtures, towel bars, door handles (brass or stainless), counters (formica or granite), etc

You can see some decorating tips and ideas in these articles:

• Bathroom Necessities: How the Right Supplies Can Convey Luxe Style
• 22 Bathroom Essentials You Won’t Want To Live Without

9. Selling Your Home

Sometimes, doing a complete makeover on your bathroom is in preparation for something bigger. If you are looking to increase the value of your home for whatever reason, upgrading your bathroom is one of the best ways to do so. One thing realtors and potential homebuyers look at first is the bathroom along with the kitchen and common areas – this is because everyone acknowledges it is something that needs to be used daily. By upgrading your bathroom and ensuring that everything is in order, you’ll be able to up the market value of your home. Whether this is because you are looking to sell your home soon or you are just building up your house to become an investment even if you are still living in it with your family, it is never a bad idea to invest in your property.

More Bathroom Upgrade Considerations

1. Grout Grumbles: Over time, grout in your bathroom can deteriorate, leading to unsightly cracks and gaps. If you notice crumbling or discolored grout between tiles in your shower or around your tub, it’s a telltale sign that your bathroom is due for an upgrade. Ignoring these issues can result in water seepage, which can lead to mold and mildew problems, potentially causing health hazards and costly repairs down the line. Consulting with a contractor about regrouting or even replacing tiles as part of a bathroom renovation project can help maintain the integrity of your bathroom space.
2. Marble Misery: While marble countertops and tiles add an elegant touch to any bathroom, they require proper maintenance to keep their luster. If you notice scratches, stains, or etching on your marble surfaces, it might be time for a bathroom remodel. A contractor specializing in bathroom renovations can assess the condition of your marble and recommend either refinishing or replacing it with a more durable material like granite, ensuring your new bathroom stands the test of time.
3. Outdated Outlets: In an era where technology is ubiquitous, outdated electrical outlets in your bathroom can be a major inconvenience. If your bathroom lacks sufficient outlets or if they’re not GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protected, it’s time to consider an upgrade. An electrician can evaluate your current setup and recommend adding more outlets in strategic locations, ensuring safety and convenience in your new bathroom.
4. Cabinet Conundrum: Worn-out cabinet hardware and outdated medicine cabinets can detract from the overall appeal of your bathroom. If your cabinet knobs are loose, or if your medicine cabinet looks like a relic from another era, it’s a clear sign that a bathroom remodel is in order. Upgrading to sleek, modern hardware and custom vanity solutions can breathe new life into your space, providing both style and functionality.
5. Ventilation Vacancies: Proper ventilation is essential in any bathroom to prevent moisture buildup and mold growth. If you’re noticing excessive condensation on your bathroom mirrors and walls or if you detect a musty odor, it’s a sign that your ventilation system isn’t up to par. Consulting with a plumber or contractor about installing a new exhaust fan or improving airflow can mitigate these issues and create a healthier environment in your new bathroom.
6. Sinking Feeling: If your bathroom struggles to accommodate the morning rush, with long queues forming around a single sink, it’s time to consider an upgrade to double sinks. A new vanity countertop with dual sinks can streamline your daily routine, providing ample space for multiple users. Consulting with a contractor experienced in bathroom remodels can help you design a custom vanity tailored to your needs, maximizing both style and functionality in your new bathroom.

Bathroom Upgrade Q & A

Bathroom Upgrade Final Thoughts

Depending on the reasons for your bathroom makeover, the whole process can be very cheap or quite costly. This is why it is advisable to check your bathroom every 6 months to see if anything needs to be changed. At the same time, it is still early as sometimes when problems in fixtures or plumbing or anything of the like occur, it gets worse over time if you don’t address it immediately and end up costing you a lot more when you do get it repaired. To save yourself potential big trouble and headaches, regularly watch out for the signs we’ve listed above to know when it’s time to perform a makeover with your bathroom. With regular checkups, your bathroom would be as spotless as they come, generally making people who use your bathroom feel at ease and comforted to use it.