TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- What does your bathroom say about you? If it's still full of ceramic tile and clunky shower doors, it says you're getting behind the times. Remodelers and homebuilders are reporting that "sleek" and "stylish" are the current trends, and they may be here to stay. Here's more in this Angie's List report.
"Remodeling bathrooms is a popular home improvement project, but they're not cheap. They can cost anywhere from $10,00 to $15,000," said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List.
An Angie's List contractor showers homeowners are willing to spend big bucks on better bathrooms because much of the cost – often around 80 percent – comes back to them on resale. People are pulling out their ceramic tile in favor of cultured marble panels, thick-glass shower doors and sleek fixtures. They want to enjoy their bathrooms, not constantly maintain them.
"They're tired of fighting the grout lines. They're tired of having to re-caulk. Maybe they don't have a lot of people in their family members that squeegee a lot. So by that maintenance standard, they want something that's easier to clean," said bathroom design professional Mary Wright.
Remodelers are seeing is more walk-in showers with frameless doors because they're just easier to maintain. They also look very modern, much like the floating vanities many people are going to. Homeowners seem willing to give up that underneath storage space in exchange for a streamlined appearance that makes it seem like a bigger room.
"People really like having that open feel. They don't like, necessarily, feeling so built-in, so compartmentalized in the space any longer. They're trying to more or less to take down the walls, have a much more spa feel," said Wright.
Free-standing tubs remain very popular. As for fixtures, chrome, brushed nickel and Venetian bronze are still in style.
One contractor says his average remodeling project is now starting at $20,000 after years of costing $15,000. Just be careful not to overspend and then price yourself out of the neighborhood when you go to sell.
Remember you can catch the latest Angie's List report every Tuesday morning on WTXL Sunrise.
