9 Bathroom Upgrades Buyers Want in NYC Homes

Do you think a bathroom upgrade is out of reach? Even when you’re living in a small New York City apartment, you can still inject more personality and functionality into the most modest bathroom with some smart changes. Plus, if you’re planning to sell any time soon, you’ll want to meet buyer expectations for bathroom updates.

Yes, you could pour tens of thousands of dollars into an NYC bathroom remodel. But if you don’t want a complete overhaul, more specific changes can make a big difference. Read on to learn about nine bathroom upgrades buyers are looking for in NYC homes. 

1. Multiple Lighting Sources

One of the best ways to enhance any bathroom in NYC is through a layered lighting approach. Ditch the overhead flush-mount fixtures and invest in a few lighting options that can work together. 

Recessed lighting offers a more refined approach to overhead lighting. Introduce some more focused lights above your vanity to bring stronger illumination. And add backlit mirrors to create a soothing ambiance. 

Lighting upgrades provide a great return on the investment. They’re usually not as costly as new showers or floor tiles. And they’ll make the smallest apartment bathrooms seem more welcoming. 

2. Walk-In Showers

A tub-shower combination may be practical, but these traditional bathroom staples often look outdated. They can also make accessing the shower more difficult for individuals with mobility challenges. Upgrading to a curbless shower, otherwise known as a walk-in shower, can be a great move. 

Walk-in showers help small bathroom spaces feel larger by removing a physical barrier. Eliminating the tub component creates a more open shower layout that also looks high-end. But don’t let just any contractor start dismantling your current bathroom setup.

Always work with a reputable and licensed contractor who will go over everything from surface materials to maintenance needs and durability. Check out https://fivestarbathsolutions.com/ to compare options so you can get the shower transformation you want. 

3. Radiant Flooring

When the weather gets cold in New York, nothing feels better than heated floors. If you’re looking for an upgrade that’s certain to impress buyers, radiant heated flooring will do it.

You can add radiant heat below tile floors to provide instant warmth. They’re especially ideal in bathrooms where you want to create a spa-like experience. On a winter morning, stepping out of the shower will feel a lot more bearable. 

You won’t have to increase your bathroom’s footprint to make a big impact with heated floors. And at around $20 per square foot for installation, you won’t have to pay a lot, either.

4. Fixtures That Conserve Water

NYC buyers want homes that are geared toward sustainability. At the same time, they don’t want to compromise on quality when it comes to materials or performance of amenities in a home. 

Thankfully, water-efficient fixtures can give buyers peace of mind when they’re looking at a new home. The most efficient fixtures can limit water use while still providing enough pressure. 

Options like low-flow showerheads, for instance, use smaller spray nozzles to conserve water. Motion-activated faucets also help avoid situations where water is running continuously. These simple upgrades can keep utility bills in check and contribute to a more eco-friendly lifestyle. 

5. Well-Designed Storage Spaces

NYC apartments aren’t exactly known for their spacious closets and storage spaces. But you can maximize the space in an NYC home by being smart about integrated storage options. 

Adding recessed niches to remodeled showers, for example, provides an easy storage solution for shampoos and soaps. Similarly, recessed medicine cabinets are a safe spot to store medicines, bandages, and other critical toiletries. 

Trim, shallow cabinets can be a storage solution for linens, like hand towels and washcloths. Adding shelves to walls is a convenient way to create attractive spaces for books, pictures, and other items. Working with a custom cabinetmaker or contractor can help you arrive at a solution tailored to your bathroom’s needs and budget. 

6. Smart Technology

Any bathroom can feel more luxurious with the right smart tools. From self-cleaning toilets to Bluetooth speakers, small additions can elevate the bathroom experience. 

Some smart tech tools even help cut down on waste. App-controlled lighting, for instance, ensures that you’re never leaving the lights on when the bathroom isn’t in use. 

Buyers like seeing modern bathrooms. And smart features like programmable showers can add a wow factor that will entice them to make an offer. 

7. Materials That Are Easy to Maintain

Grout can be tedious to clean, and tile can look cloudy quickly. Today’s NYC buyers prefer bathroom materials that aren’t as challenging to maintain. 

Bigger pieces of quartz in showers can look visually striking. And they won’t be as complicated to clean. 

Materials covered in antimicrobial coatings won’t attract mildew or mold, either. And showers or sinks featuring these materials can hold up longer, even in humid bathrooms. 

8. Dual Sinks

Dual vanities chew up more space in bathrooms, but many NYC buyers still expect to see them in updated homes. After all, they create more comfortable shared spaces when multiple people are using the same bathroom. 

The best designers can make dual vanities work in smaller bathrooms. Wall-mounted faucets, for instance, help conserve space. And floating vanities have a light and sleek appearance that helps small spaces look bigger.

When mornings feel hectic with preparations for the day, dual sinks can make a difference. Done well, these upgrades can help give an NYC home an edge over the competition. 

9. Insulated Walls 

In apartment buildings where multiple units share walls, finding ways to limit noise pollution is critical. Loud noises from next-door neighbors can be disruptive and hurt neighborly relationships. 

Small sound-dampening upgrades can help buffer outside noises. Adding insulated walls, for example, can limit noise interference. 

Similarly, some drywall can help reduce noise. Even smaller changes, like soft-close cabinets in the bathroom, can help create a quieter ambiance.

Enhancing Your NYC Bathroom

In the competitive NYC real estate market, upgraded bathrooms can be a real selling point. Even in small bathroom spaces, thoughtful updates can help create a more spa-like environment that helps anyone relax.

Buyers expect premium materials, sustainable upgrades, and smart technology. Heated floors and walk-in showers are other changes that can enhance a bathroom. With the right approach, bathrooms can be the star of the show in an NYC home.