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Bath remodel: Tubs are out, showers are in

Real estate agents tell us the kitchen and the master bath are the two most important rooms in a home that a buyer looks at, even if not consciously. So if you’re thinking of selling, even if you plan to live in your home a few more years, consider upgrading those rooms if they look like they need it.

Let’s talk about what most people like in master bathrooms.

Remember when a master bathroom wasn’t worth much if it didn’t have a tub? Well, we are told that most remodels skip the bathtub. Showers are in.

Toilets are more exposed now as opposed to having their own private room. If some privacy is still wanted, a simple partition is what is being built. Those aren’t my thoughts on the matter, but those of the people who want to remodel their current bath.

Light in the bathroom is always important. The trend now is to add a window in the room or at least a skylight. Yes, plenty of vanity lighting and overhead lighting still dominate the scene. And even the shower is being brightened up with more lighting. Some shower heads come with LED lights in them.

Back to the toilet. Wall mounted ones are quite popular and in demand nowadays. Look them up and see what you think. But don’t worry if you don’t like the looks of the wall-mounted ones. The two-piece toilets are still very popular.

His-and-hers sinks are still very in, and why not? If two of you are going to be in there at the same time, you don’t have to waste time waiting until one of you is done brushing his or her teeth.

Don’t even think of using a shower curtain in the master bath. You’d be tagged as out of touch. A frameless glass enclosure is the right choice so you can be back in touch with style.

And while we are on the subject of showers, the shower head is getting a lot of attention. Rain showers are quite popular as well as multiple showerheads. But don’t feel bad if you prefer hand showers and sliding bars because they are still definitely in demand.

If nothing else, at least consider upgrading the fixtures.

New faucets can make a huge difference in a bathroom. New pulls on the old cabinets can also make the room feel refreshed.

If you have wallpaper in the master bath and it is peeling here and there, remove it and paint instead. Wallpaper in the master bathroom is losing its popularity. Use wallpaper in the guest bath if you’d like.

Flooring in this room is another thing to consider. Tile is the most popular because of how wet it can get in there. Wood floor might not withstand the moisture and carpet might also get waterlogged.

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