14 Most Common Bathroom Remodel Projects Homeowners Do

Given that bathrooms tend to be relatively small, just about any upgrade can make a huge difference. It is no wonder that 30 percent of home remodels were bathroom renovations, according to the latest studies. These mainly included sink upgrades as well as bath or shower replacements.

Remodeling a bathroom can boost home value while making it better suited to your needs and tastes. For it to be a worthy investment, a bathroom upgrade should ideally target either form, function, or comfort. And while certain restroom remodels require a professional, others can be DIY projects you can do on your own.

1. Making Ventilation a Priority

• Average Price Range: $200 to $550 (including installation).
• Professional Needed: Yes.

While ventilation isn’t a bathroom renovation project you’d normally be excited about, it is certainly important to prioritize it. Adding a bathroom vent is always a smart upgrade, even though it’s not a requirement by code. It enhances the air quality in the room by drawing out the moisture and any odors, which helps prevent the buildup of mold and mildew. You can also operate it all throughout the year as opposed to a window, which you may not want to open during the harsh winter months.

2. Integrating a Recessed Medicine Cabinet

• Average Price Range: $260 to $645.
• Professional Needed: Preferably.

A recessed medicine cabinet above the bathroom vanity allows you to increase storage space without sacrificing style. It especially comes in handy if the vanity is somewhat shallow. Unlike a cabinet protruding out of the wall, a recessed unit gives you all the space you need to lean forward and use the bathroom sink — without having to worry about banging your head on the cabinet’s sharp edge. In terms of budget, the additional wall framing project isn’t all that expensive when it comes to bathroom projects. 

3. Enhancing the Lighting

The right choice of lighting can do wonders for your bathroom.

• Average Price Range: $50 to $250.
• Professional Needed: In most cases.

Another common bathroom remodels that homeowners go for involves the lighting. It helps in boosting the mood as well as the practicality of the space. One lighting upgrade that can do wonders for your bathroom is a dimmer for the primary lights. A leisurely bath, for instance, isn’t all that calming with full artificial light; and that’s where a dimmer comes in handy.

Installing recessed lights around the vanity mirror can also be a worthwhile upgrade. This provides the level of brightness you need when you’re shaving, applying make-up, or doing anything that requires plenty of light. Upgrading the lighting can also be a great way to revamp your bathroom on a budget.

4. More Storage Please!

• Average Price Range: $300 to $3,800.
• Professional Needed: Depending on the complexity.

A sleek and streamlined design certainly adds to the aesthetic value of your bathroom. However, it’s also important to not forget about bathroom storage space. An adequate amount of drawers, shelves, and cabinets will always come in handy. Ideally, the storage unit should function with your everyday life. 

When you’re remodeling a bathroom, aim for a vanity that has ample storage space to accommodate everyday items. Otherwise, they will be taking over your bathroom countertop and ruining your new bathroom design. The cost of installing a new bathroom vanity can range anywhere from $300 up to $3,800, with an average of $1,800. 

5. Creating a Cohesive Design With Accessories

• Average Price Range: $75 to $400 (depending on the item and including installation).
• Professional Needed: No.

Maintaining a cohesive style is always important when you’re choosing the final touches for your bathroom renovation. For instance, consider selecting towel racks in metallic tones that go with the faucets. You may also want to opt for a soap dispenser — among other accessories — that corresponds with the rest of the fixtures.

Creating a cohesive design doesn’t always have to involve changing up the whole space. You can still go for a simple bathroom remodel by replacing the minor fixtures you have with ones that match. Make sure to avoid cluttering the space when you’re picking new accessories. It’s always a good idea to start with the bare essentials. Any additions you make should be curated with both form and function in mind.

6. Installing a Bathroom Countertop

Vanity top replacements are among the most common bathroom remodeling projects.

• Average Price Range: $400 to $4,300 (depending on size and material).
• Professional Needed: In most cases.

As with bathroom fixtures, you have plenty of choices when it comes to selecting a vanity countertop. However, it’s key to account for both aesthetics and practicality in your decision. While marble countertops appeal to many homeowners, for instance, the material is porous and requires occasional resealing. Tiled bathroom vanities, on the other hand, can add visual interest in their own way but the grout lines need regular wiping. 

7. Going Green With a Low-Flow Showerhead

• Average Price Range: $8 to $50 (depending on features).
• Professional Needed: No.

Consider going for a low-flow unit should you be looking to replace your shower head as part of your complete bathroom remodel. In fact, low-flow shower heads are gaining quite a lot of popularity as a bathroom upgrade among homeowners.

As the name suggests, these types of fixtures pump out fewer amounts of water. This helps in saving a great deal of water each year. And with today’s models, you won’t even notice much of a difference in pressure. 

8. Upgrading the Space With Heated Flooring

Heated flooring guarantees comfort and makes extra space.

• Average Price Range: $5 to $16 per square foot.
• Professional Needed: Preferably.

One of the benefits of remodeling a bathroom is the occasional opportunity you get to go for an extra upgrade. Replacing the bathroom flooring, for instance, can be a perfect chance to install a floor heating system. Heated bathroom floors will make all the difference in terms of comfort, and they’re more efficient to run than central heating. This common upgrade is also known to increase home value, which is one of the benefits of remodeling your bathroom in general. 

9. Choosing Neutral Colors for Main Fixtures

Bathroom fixtures in neutral colors can lend a timeless aesthetic that never goes out of style.

• Average Price Range: $2,000 to $10,000 (for a full set with sink, toilet, tub, and shower).
• Professional Needed: Yes.

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to picking fixtures during a bathroom renovation project. As a matter of fact, fixture replacements — particularly sinks — are among the most common bathroom upgrades. While you should ideally go for the ones that reflect your taste, it’s a good idea to stick with neutral tones for the main fixtures.

Bathroom trends often come and go, and fixtures like sinks, tubs, and toilets can be expensive and inconvenient to replace. Bear in mind an outdated bathroom design can have a negative impact on your home’s resale value. You can always inject bolder colors with smaller fixtures like faucets, shower heads, and towel racks since they’re easier to replace. 

10. Omitting the Extra Tub

• Average Price Range: $1,000 to $8,000 (for a tub-to-shower conversion).
• Professional Needed: Yes.

A bathtub might not always be necessary, especially if you prefer taking showers. And if your house features another bathroom that already consists of a tub, it can be a good idea to replace the extra tub with a stylish shower cabinet. Bathtub-to-shower replacements are actually quite common when it comes to remodeling a bathroom. Bear in mind that the scope of the project has to do with whether the bathtub is an integrated or a standalone unit.

11. …or Getting a Smaller One

• Average Price Range: $200 to $5,000 (depending on material).
• Professional Needed: No.

Another bathroom remodeling example that involves tubs is to get a smaller one. Keep in mind that bigger doesn’t always mean better. And while large bathtubs were once popular, today’s bathroom design trends favor ones that are sleeker and more compact. Unless you enjoy stretching out your legs in the tub, there’s no reason to break the bank for a large one.

Going for a smaller tub will also provide you with more room for other fixtures such as a designer vanity. And not only do they take up less floor space, but small tubs also require less water to fill up. 

12. Adding a Window in the Shower Cabinet

A window addition in the shower might just the upgrade your bathroom needs.

• Average Price Range: $1,000 to $5,000.
• Professional Needed: Yes.

One of the major obstacles to maintaining a bathroom’s cleanliness is humidity — the main cause of mold growth. While bathroom fans are great at dehumidifying the space, nothing tops natural ventilation. If possible, adding a window — preferably one that slopes downwards — in the shower will do wonders in drawing out humidity. It also goes without saying that a window will bring in natural light, adding to the aesthetic value of the bathroom. In addition, you most likely won’t need to turn on the bathroom lights during the daytime and waste extra energy. 

13. Adorning the Shower Floor With Textured Tilework

• Average Price Range: $5 to $17 per square foot.
• Professional Needed: No.

Remodeling a bathroom may often involve choosing from a variety of tile options. If you’re planning on tiling your shower floor as part of your bathroom project, it’s crucial to consider your decision's safety. Try choosing tiles that are small and textured. This will prevent the floor from getting slippery during showers.

Many of today’s bathroom tiles are available in a wide range of colors, patterns, and designs. As such, it comes as no surprise that textured tiles are appearing on shower floors across homes everywhere. 

14. Opting for a Hidden Tank Toilet

• Average Price Range: $240 to $600.
• Professional Needed: Yes.

Hidden tank toilets are common options for bathrooms where space comes at a premium. Besides saving space, their sleek design perfectly corresponds with modern and contemporary design styles. However, it’s worth taking into consideration that repairs can be tricky due to the tank being mounted inside the wall. 

Should your bathroom renovation project involve swapping out your toilet for one with a hidden tank, consider looking for a low-flow unit. Not only will this minimize your water bill, but will also raise the resale value of your home.