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Why Homeowners Are Remodeling Their Master Bathrooms in 2018
Priorities are style, lighting, resale value and ease of cleaning, according to the U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study
Master bathrooms are among the more popular spaces to remodel in a home. But why do homeowners tackle these spaces in the first place, and what do they want from their new master bathrooms?
The most common reason homeowners are renovating their master bathrooms is that they just can’t stand the old ones anymore, the 2018 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study finds. And in the new master bathroom, homeowners who are remodeling tend to want style, good lighting, resale value and ease of cleaning. Read on for more insights into the motivations, design priorities and spending levels of homeowners who are renovating master bathrooms now.
The most common reason homeowners are renovating their master bathrooms is that they just can’t stand the old ones anymore, the 2018 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study finds. And in the new master bathroom, homeowners who are remodeling tend to want style, good lighting, resale value and ease of cleaning. Read on for more insights into the motivations, design priorities and spending levels of homeowners who are renovating master bathrooms now.
Notably, the third most common reason for remodeling a master bathroom is wanting to personalize a recently purchased home (26 percent). This motivation has been steadily on the rise over the past two years, as you can see from this chart.
The uptick may explain why more homeowners (15 percent in 2018) are willing to remodel a bathroom that was updated relatively recently (one to 10 years ago), compared with the number of renovating homeowners willing to do so two years ago (11 percent in 2016).
What Homeowners Are Spending on Master Bath Renovations
The median national spending level of homeowners renovating a master bathroom of any size is $7,000. That spending level is second only to that for kitchens, which have a national median of $11,000. Keep in mind that the median describes the middle in the range of spending levels, meaning that half of homeowners spend more than the median and half spend less. For major remodels of master bathrooms that are larger than 100 square feet, the national median spending level to renovate is higher, at $16,000, though spending can run as high as $41,600 or more for the top 10 percent of homeowners.
Of course, master bathroom remodeling costs vary quite widely, depending not only on the size of the room but also on the work being done and the cost of labor and materials in that part of the country.
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The uptick may explain why more homeowners (15 percent in 2018) are willing to remodel a bathroom that was updated relatively recently (one to 10 years ago), compared with the number of renovating homeowners willing to do so two years ago (11 percent in 2016).
What Homeowners Are Spending on Master Bath Renovations
The median national spending level of homeowners renovating a master bathroom of any size is $7,000. That spending level is second only to that for kitchens, which have a national median of $11,000. Keep in mind that the median describes the middle in the range of spending levels, meaning that half of homeowners spend more than the median and half spend less. For major remodels of master bathrooms that are larger than 100 square feet, the national median spending level to renovate is higher, at $16,000, though spending can run as high as $41,600 or more for the top 10 percent of homeowners.
Of course, master bathroom remodeling costs vary quite widely, depending not only on the size of the room but also on the work being done and the cost of labor and materials in that part of the country.
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Style, Good Lighting and Resale Value Are Top Master Bathroom Remodel Priorities
The No. 1 design priority for a master bathroom renovation is making the space stylish and beautiful, cited by 79 percent of renovating homeowners. The second design priority for a master bathroom renovation is creating a space that adds to the home’s resale value (45 percent). The No. 1 functional priority is good lighting (47 percent), while the second functional priority is creating a space that is easy to clean and disinfect (44 percent).
The No. 1 design priority for a master bathroom renovation is making the space stylish and beautiful, cited by 79 percent of renovating homeowners. The second design priority for a master bathroom renovation is creating a space that adds to the home’s resale value (45 percent). The No. 1 functional priority is good lighting (47 percent), while the second functional priority is creating a space that is easy to clean and disinfect (44 percent).
The green bars in this chart indicate priorities this year, while the gray bars indicate priorities two years ago, in 2016. As you can see, compared with two years ago, good lighting is important to more homeowners, and resale value to fewer.
Most Major Features Are Upgraded During Master Bathroom Remodels
The majority of homeowners are tackling master bathroom remodels in which they are replacing at least the vanity or cabinets, countertops and toilets. Many are making sweeping changes to their spaces, and four in 10 (44 percent) are changing the layouts of their master bathrooms.
The majority of homeowners are tackling master bathroom remodels in which they are replacing at least the vanity or cabinets, countertops and toilets. Many are making sweeping changes to their spaces, and four in 10 (44 percent) are changing the layouts of their master bathrooms.
Most homeowners who are remodeling their master bathrooms are also updating flooring (88 percent), lighting fixtures (85 percent), showers and countertops (84 percent), sinks (83 percent) and cabinetry or vanities (83 percent). Most who are updating their master bathrooms are upgrading their faucets (92 percent).
Many Homeowners Are Creating Cohesive Master Suites
Among homeowners choosing to upgrade their master bathrooms, nearly half (46 percent) are also remodeling their master bedrooms, the study finds.
The majority of those upgrading master bedrooms (81 percent) are maintaining the same or complementary styles as the renovated master bathrooms — which makes sense, as these two spaces flow closely together.
This finding is in line with a trend over the past three years: Homeowners have on average tackled three rooms at a time in their remodel projects. Given that most master bathrooms are accessed through the master bedroom, it makes sense to remodel the bedroom at the same time, says Nino Sitchinava, principal economist at Houzz. Since homeowners may move out of their bedrooms temporarily to avoid construction dust and debris from a bathroom remodel, these homeowners might as well upgrade the bedroom while they’re at it.
It’s also a sign of strength in the economy and consumer finances that homeowners are willing to refresh their master suites — or to create them in the first place — Sitchinava says.
Among homeowners choosing to upgrade their master bathrooms, nearly half (46 percent) are also remodeling their master bedrooms, the study finds.
The majority of those upgrading master bedrooms (81 percent) are maintaining the same or complementary styles as the renovated master bathrooms — which makes sense, as these two spaces flow closely together.
This finding is in line with a trend over the past three years: Homeowners have on average tackled three rooms at a time in their remodel projects. Given that most master bathrooms are accessed through the master bedroom, it makes sense to remodel the bedroom at the same time, says Nino Sitchinava, principal economist at Houzz. Since homeowners may move out of their bedrooms temporarily to avoid construction dust and debris from a bathroom remodel, these homeowners might as well upgrade the bedroom while they’re at it.
It’s also a sign of strength in the economy and consumer finances that homeowners are willing to refresh their master suites — or to create them in the first place — Sitchinava says.
“Many of the dual-room renovators are creating the master suite from scratch,” Sitchinava says. “Many existing older homes do not have master bathroom and bedroom suites. And we know that 7 percent of master bathroom renovations involve relocation of the master bathroom, while 10 percent involve a master bathroom addition.”
For homeowners who are renovating both their master bathrooms and their bedrooms, the national median spend on the master bedrooms is $2,000. Remember that the median is the middle in a range of costs, meaning that half of master bedroom remodels cost more, and half cost less. For master bedrooms 250 square feet or larger, the national median renovation cost is a bit higher, at $2,350.
That cost level isn’t far behind the national median cost of $3,000 to renovate living rooms.
While most updated master bathrooms are smaller compared with master bedrooms, the study reveals the surprising fact that 11 percent of master bathrooms are the same size or larger than the master bedroom in the home.
The 2018 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study gathered information from 2,237 registered users of Houzz and included a final sample of 1,144 respondents with a master bathroom project, 580 with a full nonmaster bathroom project and 120 with a partial bathroom project. It was fielded between June 30 and Oct. 17, 2018.
Download the full study here
More
Top Styles, Colors and Finishes for Master Bath Remodels in 2018
Baby Boomers Are Making Remodeling Changes With Aging in Mind
See inspiration photos of master bathrooms
Shop for bathroom products on Houzz
For homeowners who are renovating both their master bathrooms and their bedrooms, the national median spend on the master bedrooms is $2,000. Remember that the median is the middle in a range of costs, meaning that half of master bedroom remodels cost more, and half cost less. For master bedrooms 250 square feet or larger, the national median renovation cost is a bit higher, at $2,350.
That cost level isn’t far behind the national median cost of $3,000 to renovate living rooms.
While most updated master bathrooms are smaller compared with master bedrooms, the study reveals the surprising fact that 11 percent of master bathrooms are the same size or larger than the master bedroom in the home.
The 2018 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study gathered information from 2,237 registered users of Houzz and included a final sample of 1,144 respondents with a master bathroom project, 580 with a full nonmaster bathroom project and 120 with a partial bathroom project. It was fielded between June 30 and Oct. 17, 2018.
Download the full study here
More
Top Styles, Colors and Finishes for Master Bath Remodels in 2018
Baby Boomers Are Making Remodeling Changes With Aging in Mind
See inspiration photos of master bathrooms
Shop for bathroom products on Houzz
The 2018 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study includes responses from more than 1,100 registered users of Houzz who had completed a master bathroom remodel in the previous 12 months, were working on one or were planning to start one in the next three months.
Thirty-seven percent of homeowners who are updating their master bathrooms could no longer stand the old bathrooms, the study finds. The second most common reason for renovating a master bathroom is wanting to do it all along and finally having the means (30 percent).