- Excluding key bathroom details can knock up to £110,000 off a property's value
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While it may be one of the most-used spaces in our homes, bathrooms can often become neglected, outdated and worn down with day-to-day wear and tear.
However, a 'cheap-looking' or bland bathroom could be doing more damage to your home's value than you realise, experts have warned.
According to new research conducted by luxury bathroom retailer Drench, excluding key features from your bathroom - including the likes of a bathtub - can knock up to £11,000 off a property's value and delay a sale by up to two months.
Yet, fortunately, creating a bathroom that prospective buyers view as luxurious does not necessarily need to require a costly renovation.
According to property staging expert Liv Conlon, it is often the small styling details that make the biggest difference.
'You don't need a luxury renovation budget to make a bathroom look expensive,' she said.
'Most high-end bathrooms rely on clever styling, consistency and good lighting rather than costly structural changes. Affordable styling techniques help ensure your bathroom doesn't become the room that costs you thousands.'
Read on to discover the ultimate budget-friendly ways to elevate your bathroom and make it appear instantly more expensive and luxurious...
According to new research conducted by luxury bathroom retailer Drench, excluding key features from your bathroom - including the likes of a bathtub - can knock up to £11,000 off a property's value and delay a sale by up to two months. Pictured: Molly Mae in her bathroom
- Opt for a cohesive colour scheme
According to Liv, a luxury bathroom 'almost always sticks to calming, cohesive colours'.
While it may be tempting to fall victim to the latest colour trends, she advises considering a trusty warm neutral shade to create a 'timeless and calming feel'.
She added: 'Soft whites, warm beige tones, taupe, stone, and muted greys tend to appeal to the widest audience.
'Buyers want bathrooms to feel clean and relaxing, so softer earthy palettes often outperform colder clinical tones.'
- Take inspiration from hotels
According to Liv, a luxury bathroom 'almost always sticks to calming, cohesive colours' (pictured: Influencer Sophie Habboo)
A glistening bathroom can be one of the most luxurious parts of a hotel stay - with the fluffy white towels and expensive products offering an additional sense of tranquility that can feel a world away from home.
However, according to Liv, creating this hotel feel in your own bathroom with some simple touches 'is one of the easiest ways to make a bathroom look more premium without renovating'.
'Keep the styling minimal but intentional,' she added.
'Use your towels and bathmats to layer texture and make the room feel warm and inviting.'
- Ditch the clutter
Over the course of months and even years, a bathroom can often accumulate clutter - from used shampoo bottles to hairbands, toothbrushes and half-empty toothpaste.
However, taking the time once a month to ditch any unused or unwanted items can be key in helping to transform the space.
Additionally, it can also help buyers 'focus on the space itself, rather than everyday essentials,' Liv noted.
'Clear away overly personal items and branded products,' she advised.
'Replacing them with matching dispensers and high-end hand soaps makes the styling feel cohesive, intentional, and professionally designed.'
- Invest in soft, warm lighting
In recent years, spa-inspired designs and homewear have grown in immense popularity, with buyers keen to invest in a space that emulates ultimate relaxation. Pictured: Stacey Solomon showcases her bathroom
While it may seem like an unimportant feature, lighting has the ability to completely transform both the feel and look of a bathroom.
'Lighting is what separates an average bathroom from one that feels expensive,' Liv explained.
'Soft, warm lighting creates a more flattering atmosphere.'
To help achieve greater lighting, Liv advises investing in a 'wall-mounted sconce or mirror with built-in lighting as a space-saving option.'
- Lean into the spa-inspired designs
In recent years, spa-inspired designs and homewear have grown in immense popularity, with buyers keen to invest in a space that emulates ultimate relaxation.
Investing in a few timeless pieces, such as double showers, brushed brass hardware and chic wall designs can completely elevate your bathroom.
According to Liv, 'spa-inspired bathrooms are hugely popular because buyers are prioritising wellness and escapism at home'.
She added: 'We're seeing strong demand for natural materials, textured stone finishes, brushed brass hardware, fluted detailing, and organic shapes.
'Fresh greenery, and a few carefully styled accessories in wood or stone create a design-led spa-like feel.'
- Add a few finishing touches to your bath or shower
A bath or shower may, on the surface, seem like the most uninteresting part of your bathroom - but Liv argues a revamp can completely transform the space. Pictured: Myleene Klass's bathroom
A bath or shower may, on the surface, seem like the most uninteresting part of your bathroom - but Liv argues a revamp can completely transform the space.
Investing in a few finishing touches 'can make the room feel more luxurious' and leave guests feeling relaxed.
'If you have one, you can upgrade the look of your bath with a few accessories and a simple bath tray,' said Liv.
'If you have a walk-in shower, keep the glass spotless and add some eucalyptus stems.'
She added that, ultimately, while bathroom renovations can be expensive, investing in these 'affordable styling techniques can help create the polished, high-end look buyers expect'.
- Don't forget about scent
Nothing quite screams a sophisticated bathroom like a fresh, welcoming scent that instantly makes buyers and guests feel at home.
'Scent has a profound ability to trigger emotions - it's why you'll often hear people suggesting freshly baked bread as a property-staging tactic,' Liv said.
'But I'd recommend going for clean smells such as Citrus lemon in particular. It is widely considered the most popular home fragrance, often associated with cleanliness and freshness, instantly making the space feel more welcoming.
'Top tip is not to use anything too strong, as you don't want to give potential buyers a headache!'