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A Bathroom Makeover Case Study Using Reality Renovation Services
Whether it's a new-to-you home or somewhere you've lived a while, many homeowners dream of upgrading their space to something they love. Ideas for new decor, different appliances, modern design elements, or a fresh look may be swirling around in your mind or taking space on your Pinterest boards.
For many, it stops at the idea. Homeowners may believe—often mistakenly—that their dream renovation is financially out of the question.
The good news is that there are many budget-friendly options to upgrade your house, from the planning process to all the finishings.
Here we'll look at a real-life case study of a transformed bathroom for a client of mine. I used our Reality Renovation services to envision how the space could look (at a fraction of the cost for a designer, mind you!). I then worked with my general contractor to bring it all to life.
This case study shows what's possible when it comes to home upgrades and 4 key tips on how you should approach your next project.
Case Study: A Much-Needed Bathroom Upgrade
This home is the best of Charlotte interior design... or at least it was in 1987. Today, that jacuzzi-style tub screams outdated and the whole space could use a facelift.
The new buyers of this home were keen to update this bathroom, so I used our Reality Renovations service to help show them what is possible. Reality Renovations is a virtual staging platform that uses the expertise of an interior design team to quickly show you what's possible in your space.
Working with an interior design team costs thousands of dollars and often requires you to wait weeks to see the mock-ups. Reality Renovations provides high-quality design board options, complete with the names of featured products and items.
After using the service to virtually transform the bathroom, I connected with my general contractor and provided him with the product catalog generated in Reality Renovations so he could offer a real-time quote.
The virtual design board and a contractor's quote gave the new homeowners a vision of what was possible for their bathroom. And, thanks to these virtual services, it costs a fraction of what hiring an in-person designer costs. This value-added service is available to all my real estate clients—I'm always happy to help them see a vision and realistic plan for their new home, right from the start.
The new homeowners were excited to move forward and upgrade the bathroom. We suggested making the following upgrades to this bathroom:
- Replacing the jacuzzi tub with a modern freestanding option.
- Elevating the walk-in shower with tile, semi-frameless glass & update fixtures.
- Switching out existing vanity sinks.
- Upgrading to quartz counters.
- Painting the vanity cabinets.
- Changing all hardware and light fixtures.
- Adding new mirrors.
- Updating flooring and paint.
This was all done for less than $20,000—a steal considering the extent of the upgrades and quality of finishings. With e-design services and the backing of a good contractor, getting a transformation like this is available for your own space, too.
4 Home Upgrade Tips to Elevate Your Space
Perhaps you're looking to upgrade your bathroom, too, or you have another room in mind. Whatever the case, careful planning is essential to doing a good job.
Here are 4 tips to know before you start your upgrades:
1. Go Virtual
If working with a designer is in your budget, I'm not trying to talk you out of it. However, there are many virtual options today that help you save both money and time, all while helping you create your dream space.
Start by gathering ideas and inspiration on Pinterest. It's the perfect spot to start exploring what you like in terms of design elements and store them for the future when you're ready to change things.
Then, using an e-design service like Reality Renovations, you can bring your ideas to "life" with a comprehensive and realistic virtual simulation. You can easily envision what it will all look like before you start demolition. Makes it an easy option to consider what will work in your space and what you may want to reconfigure.
2. Listen to Your Contractor
Once you have the vision, make sure you work with a great contractor who you trust and understands what you're looking for. Then, listen to their advice. They've been in this business and know what works best. You can always get other opinions, but your GC has a lot of invaluable insight to share.
One key piece of advice our GC recommends is not skimping on plumbing fixtures. Cheap fixtures are made from cheap materials that aren't as long-lasting. While Amazon is great for some things (more on that next!), their plumbing finishings are not high-quality.
Instead, get your contractor to recommend their favorite supplier and spend the extra money there. This also ensures you're installing finishes that are cohesive across the room—not all brushed gold finishes are the same! So, work with the pros who can guide you in the right direction. Trust me, I've toured homes with numerous homebuyers who comment on mis-matched hardware and how they're already factoring in what they'll have to replace - it's not money not well spent. Try to stick with the same supplier and collection when it comes to things like hardware and fixtures of the same color family.
3. Know When to Save and Splurge
Our contractor recommends splurging on plumbing fixtures for durability, but is there anything you can save on? Absolutely. Mirrors and light fixtures are what Amazon was made for! There are many attractive, quality, and affordable options to choose from. Looking for inspiration you can shop from directly? Be sure to check out my Shop the Screen page!
You can also tend to find remnants of stone slabs if you just have a small vanity you're looking to upgrade, which can be a big cost-savings. If your vanity cabinets are in good shape, opt to have them professionally painted versus splurging on brand new cabinetry.
If you're unsure what you should splurge vs. save on during your home renovations, make sure you consult with professionals. This is one advantage of using our interior e-design services—it highlights different options and price points for you to consider.
4. Pay Attention to Details
You may have the most beautiful mirror in mind but if it doesn't fit in your space, it's not for you. It's so important to pay attention to details when purchasing fixtures or deciding on elements to include.
One of the biggest things people—shockingly—forget to do is measure everything carefully. Before you buy a mirror, measure the space to ensure it fits properly! We use mirrors like this one in our simulations because they come in different sizes and you can pick the one that works best in your space.
Additionally, make sure that when you order flooring and/or tile that you order more than enough. Nothing is worse than being midway through a project just to realize you're short on material and now it's out of stock. You want to make sure there is an abundance to make your finished look exactly what you'd envisioned.
If you're buying a new house that you know you want to upgrade or have been living somewhere for a while, check out Style to Design Reality Renovations. It will help you gain confidence with a reality renovation simulation that shows you exactly how your transformed room will look!
This service, along with a quote from a contractor, is ready for new homeowners to take advantage of. If you're in the market for a new home, you can contact me to start a conversation today.
To your next home upgrade,
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Jamie Milam is a Realtor® in the Charlotte, NC area, licensed in both NC & SC, and has the ability to refer you to a number of agent partners across the nation, regardless of where you may live. She is an enthusiast for the power of awareness and believes it can be used in all facets of life to support aligned living.
**Disclosure** This post may contain affiliate links and they are at no additional cost to you, though I may earn a small commission. Don't worry, I only recommend products or services that I have tried or believe would be of great value to you! All opinions expressed are those of my own!
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