Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada’s Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.
Renters are savvier than ever, and just because they don’t own their homes it doesn’t mean they’re going to put up with dingy and dated bathrooms. They want chic and trendy rooms just as much as any homeowner, and landlords across the country are answering the call. Check out these hot bathroom trends, coming soon to a rental apartment near you!
Frameless Glass Shower Enclosure
Renters are looking for a little luxury, and one of the best ways to add it in a bathroom is with a frameless glass shower enclosure. Glass definitely ups the ante as far as style and sophistication go, and unlike shower curtains, they’re splash-proof. Frameless doors are more expensive than framed but they require less caulking and provide less chance for leakage and mould – so even though they cost more at the beginning, they’re far more likely to give you a better return on your bathroom investment over time. Also, you can install them all the way to the ceiling so you can trap the steam inside and create a little steam shower. What renter wouldn’t want that?
Image courtesy of Skit Inc.
Curbless Shower Entry
Curbless showers are still rare enough that they turn heads – in a good way! By removing the visual obstruction at floor level, they actually make bathrooms look bigger. The other great thing is that they adhere to the principles of universal design, which is incredibly important with our aging population. A barrier free bathroom reduces tripping hazards, making it easy for everyone to use. This is going to become increasingly important over the next few years, and renters (particularly older renters) will be on the lookout.
Image Courtesy of McGillivray Entertainment
Electric Floor Warming System
Putting heated floors in the bathroom is becoming increasingly popular – and for good reason. Not only is stepping onto a warm floor far more comfortable than stepping onto a freezing cold surface, but electric floor warming systems also provide some ambient heat, which is particularly helpful in bathrooms located in cold parts of a house (basements, corners of the house, above garages, etc.). This type of “luxury” is not longer reserved for high-end homes, and renters are keen to get in on the action.
Image Courtesy of Skit Inc.
Upgraded Vanities with Storage
An attractive and practical vanity is a great way to add a little extra value to a bathroom, so landlords, it’s worth spending a little extra to get something your renters will love. This means something that looks elegant, but also has plenty of storage and useable counter space. The days of open shelving in bathrooms are coming to a close – except for maybe a single shelf to display nice towels. Vanities should have closed storage, and enough counter space to hold a soap dish, a toothbrush holder, and space to set down things like hair dryers and razors while you’re getting ready.
Image Courtesy of Thomasville Cabinetry
Large Format Ceramic Tile
When it comes to design trends, large-scale ceramic tiles on floors and shower/tub surrounds are definitely hot. They invoke a certain feeling of luxury, and with fewer visible grout lines, they actually make a space seem a little bit bigger. What’s even better it that they’re frequently less expensive to install than smaller tiles, so renters get something that looks more expensive, while you pay a little less.
Image Courtesy of Skit Inc.
Elongated High Efficiency Toilets
As a general rule, a toilet is a toilet. There isn’t a huge difference between high and low-end models. However in recent years elongated toilets have become more popular because people find them more comfortable than standard models. I wouldn’t go so far as to say an elongated toilet will make or break a rental agreement, but it’s one of those little extras that renters might start to look for in the coming months and years.
Image Courtesy of Skit Inc.
