As a realtor, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of preparing your home for sale. Certain rooms in a home draw significant attention from buyers and require extra care to ensure they are showcased at their best. The kitchen and family room are, of course, crucial. However, the primary bathroom also garners considerable interest from prospective buyers. It could be argued that staging the primary bathroom is equally as important, as it is a deeply personal space where impressions can be profoundly impacted. But, with proper staging it can be effectively neutralized.
A bathroom that evokes a spa-like atmosphere is still highly sought after by today’s home buyers. Even if your bathroom doesn’t naturally embody a spa-like feel, there are numerous strategic modifications you can make to create that sought-after spa-like ambiance.
Declutter and minimize:
In most homes, bathrooms are generally smaller than other rooms, making decluttering and minimizing crucial. Begin by clearing all items from the vanities to create a pristine, uncluttered surface. Remove garbage cans and hampers, which will immediately enhance the sense of spaciousness. Additionally, tuck away all personal toiletries to present a neutral space, allowing buyers to easily envision the bathroom as their own.
Opt for simple, elegant decorations to maintain a clean and orderly environment, ensuring that the space is not overwhelmed by too many items.
Deep Cleaning:
If a buyer perceives a bathroom as dirty, it will be a major turnoff. After decluttering, it’s crucial to perform a deep cleaning. Thoroughly scrub the bathroom, paying special attention to hard-to-reach areas, to ensure every surface is gleaming. Be sure to clean the countertops, polish all fixtures until they shine, scrub the sinks, showers, and tubs, meticulously clean all grout lines, and dust the baseboard molding. These efforts will highlight the bathroom’s cleanliness and enhance its overall appeal.
Enhanced Lighting:
Install bright, soft white LED lighting to enhance the bathroom’s ambiance. Ensure that all lightbulbs are functioning and that they match in color and hue for a consistent look. If your bathroom has a window, make sure it is clean and unobstructed to maximize natural sunlight. Additionally, consider placing an extra mirror strategically to reflect light and visually expand the space of the room.
Elegant Towel Display:
I prefer using white fluffy towels in the bathroom to evoke the feel of a luxury hotel. While I’ve observed some bathrooms staged with colorful towels, I find that in photos, these often draw attention to the towels themselves rather than the room.
To create a refined spa-like atmosphere, roll towels neatly and place them in an elegant basket, or on a stylish wall-mounted rack. For an artful towel arrangement, fold a bath towel lengthwise into thirds, ensuring the edges are tucked away, and layer a similarly folded, color-coordinated hand towel on top. To create a decorative bath setup, arrange a towel folded into thirds on the edge of the bathtub, topped with a neatly folded washcloth and a luxury soap bar to create a visually appealing and inviting display.
Stage Shower:
Replace your shower curtain with a new white or light colored curtain. Keep the shower curtain two-thirds open to reveal the interior. This will add visual depth and make your bathroom appear larger. Remove any used soap and replace it with a high-end spa soap bar to elevate the overall appeal.
Add Greenery:
Integrating elements of nature into home decor has become a lasting trend. Introduce some live green plants to bring a sense of freshness and a natural touch, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the room.
Neutral Color Scheme:
Painting the walls in soft, neutral hues like white, tan, gray, aqua, or cream with white trim can significantly brighten a space. While a recent Zillow study suggests that homes with bathrooms painted in brown and earthy tones tend to sell for $1,600 more than similar homes, I remain somewhat skeptical.
In my view, you can’t go wrong with neutral colors, especially in smaller or darker bathrooms, where lighter shades can make the space feel larger and more inviting.
Vanities, Fixtures, and Mirrors;
If your vanity appears somewhat dated, you might consider giving it a fresh coat of paint using a high-quality furniture paint, such as the ones offered by Sherwin-Williams. If painting isn’t sufficient to rejuvenate the vanity, then replacing it may be a better option. Additionally, if your vanity lacks hardware, install knobs of handles to give it a little more appeal. Ensure that all hardware and fixtures are coordinated to present a polished and unified appearance. Also, consider replacing basic builder-grade mirrors with more sophisticated options, as these tend to be more attractive to potential buyers.
Final touches:
For a final touch, add a light scented air freshener. I prefer a lavender scented air freshener as this is associated with relaxation and is a common scent used in spas.
Finally, one of my pet peeves is seeing a listing photo with the toilet seat left open. I always recommend keeping the toilet seat down during showings to maintain a clean and orderly appearance. This small detail can make a significant difference in the presentation of your bathroom. Don’t let all your hard work go to waste by leaving the toilet seat up; it’s a simple step that ensures your bathroom looks its best.