According To Washington Designers, Skip These Bathroom Expenses
Renovating a bathroom can drain your wallet faster than you’d think. Washington designers see homeowners overspend on fancy items that look great but don’t add real value.
I’m here to share their insider secrets on what you can skip without sacrificing style or comfort.
1. High-End Fancy Faucets
Gold-plated faucets with touchless sensors sound amazing. But do you really need to spend two grand on something that just turns water on and off? I learned this the hard way.
Standard faucets work just as well. They last just as long. Your guests won’t judge your entire bathroom based on faucet brand alone.
Save that money for better flooring or storage. A reliable mid-range faucet does the job perfectly without the crazy price tag.
2. Luxury Heated Toilet Seats
Warm bums in winter feel incredible. No argument there. But spending hundreds on a heated seat is overkill for most Washington homes.
Your bathroom stays warm enough already. Central heating handles that job. Plus, heated seats use extra electricity year-round.
A soft, cushy toilet seat costs twenty bucks and feels just as comfortable. You’ll forget about the heating feature after the first week anyway. Trust me on this one.
3. Expensive Custom Cabinetry
Custom cabinets promise perfect measurements and unique designs. Sounds dreamy until you see the bill.
Stock cabinets from home improvement stores come in tons of sizes. You can find ones that fit your space beautifully. They’re built solid and look fantastic.
Paint them a fun color or swap the hardware for a custom feel. Nobody will know the difference. You’ll save thousands and still get plenty of storage for towels and toiletries.
4. Designer Wallpaper
Bathroom humidity is wallpaper’s worst enemy. Even expensive designer patterns start peeling within a year or two.
Steam from hot showers creeps behind the paper. Mold follows close behind. You’ll be redoing the walls sooner than you think.
Fresh paint in a bold color works better. It handles moisture like a champ. Add peel-and-stick decals for pattern without the permanent commitment or wallet damage.
5. Overpriced Bathroom Rugs
Luxury bath mats feel fluffy under your feet. But they get soaked and dirty constantly.
You’ll wash them every few days. That fancy fabric wears out fast. The color fades. The edges fray.
Affordable cotton rugs absorb water just as well. They’re machine washable and easy to replace when they look tired. Buy two or three in different colors and rotate them for variety and freshness.
6. High-End Bathroom Lighting Fixtures
Crystal chandeliers over the bathtub look stunning in magazines. In real life? Water spots ruin them fast.
Cleaning intricate fixtures becomes a weekly chore. You need special cleaners and lots of patience. Most people give up after a month.
Simple, modern fixtures provide excellent light without the fuss. LED bulbs save energy and last forever. Spend your money on good ventilation instead. Better airflow prevents mold and keeps everything fresher longer.
7. Custom-Made Shower Doors
Custom frameless glass doors look sleek and sophisticated. They also cost a small fortune to design and install.
Standard shower doors come in many styles now. You can find beautiful options that fit most spaces perfectly. Installation is straightforward and quick.
The glass is just as clear. The hardware is just as sturdy. Your shower will look clean and modern without the custom price tag or months of waiting.
8. Fancy Towel Warmers
Warm towels feel like a spa experience. But towel warmers take up wall space and jack up your electric bill.
Tossing your towel in the dryer for five minutes does the same thing. It costs pennies. You can do it whenever you want a cozy towel.
Most people stop using towel warmers after the novelty wears off. They become expensive towel racks. Put that money toward better quality towels instead. Thick, absorbent towels feel luxurious every single day.
9. Premium Bathroom Accessories
Designer soap dispensers and trays cost way more than they should. You’re paying for a brand name stamped on basic items.
Discount stores sell gorgeous accessories for a fraction of the price. Mix and match pieces to create your own unique style.
Swap them out seasonally without guilt. Fresh accessories update your whole bathroom vibe instantly. Nobody checks the bottom for designer labels anyway. Style matters more than status here.
10. Professional-Grade Steam Showers
Steam showers promise spa-quality relaxation at home. Reality check, they need constant maintenance and special cleaning.
The steam generators break down often. Repairs cost hundreds each time. Mold loves the constant moisture and grows in hidden corners.
A regular shower with good water pressure and a handheld sprayer feels amazing. Add eucalyptus bundles for that spa smell. You get relaxation without the headache or massive installation cost.
