Bathroom Upgrades New Yorkers Often Overvalue, According To Remodelers

New York bathrooms are tiny, and every upgrade feels like a big deal. You dream of spa-like luxury, but some fancy features just don’t deliver the value you’d expect.

Remodelers see it all the time, homeowners spend big on trendy upgrades that don’t really improve daily life or resale value. I’m here to share which bathroom improvements might look amazing but often leave New Yorkers wishing they’d saved their cash for something more practical.

1. Freestanding Tubs

Instagram makes freestanding tubs look dreamy, but they hog precious floor space in cramped NYC bathrooms. Most people don’t have time for long soaks after work anyway.

You’ll find yourself stepping around it daily just to reach the shower. Cleaning underneath and around these tubs is a total nightmare.

Water splashes everywhere since there’s no surrounding ledge to catch drips. Built-in tubs with shower combos actually make way more sense for busy New Yorkers who need quick morning routines.

2. High-End Rainfall Showerheads

Sure, rainfall showerheads feel fancy at first, but the novelty wears off fast. Water pressure in older NYC buildings is already weak, and these giant heads make it even worse.

You’ll stand there forever trying to rinse shampoo out of your hair. They also waste tons of water, which means higher utility bills every month.

Getting your hair wet becomes unavoidable, even when you just want a quick body rinse. Regular adjustable showerheads give you way more control and better pressure for the price.

3. Heated Floors

Heated floors sound luxurious until you see the installation cost and electric bills. Breaking up your existing floor to install the heating system is messy and expensive.

Most New Yorkers wear slippers anyway, so the benefit doesn’t match the investment. They take forever to warm up, so you can’t just flip them on before your shower.

Energy costs add up quickly, especially during long winter months. A cozy bath mat costs twenty bucks and does basically the same job without the hassle.

4. Custom Cabinetry

Custom cabinets might fit your space perfectly, but they cost three times more than stock options. You’re paying for craftsmanship that most guests won’t even notice during quick bathroom visits.

Stock cabinets come in tons of sizes now and look just as good. Repairs become complicated since you can’t just swap out a damaged piece easily.

Resale buyers care more about storage space than whether your cabinets were custom-made. Smart organization systems inside basic cabinets give you better bang for your buck.

5. Designer Sinks And Faucets

Dropping serious cash on a statement sink seems cool until you realize it’s just a bowl for washing hands. Fancy vessel sinks splash water all over your countertop and are annoying to clean around.

Trendy finishes like brushed gold go out of style faster than you’d think. Expensive faucets break just as often as mid-range ones, but replacement parts cost way more.

You’ll barely notice the difference in your daily routine after the first week. Reliable fixtures with good water flow matter more than designer brand names.

6. Smart Toilets

Smart toilets with heated seats and automatic lids seem futuristic, but they’re technology overkill for most people. They cost thousands of dollars and need special electrical outlets that older NYC apartments often lack. When something breaks, repairs are crazy expensive and require specialized technicians.

You’re basically paying for features you’ll forget to use after the first month. Regular toilets do the exact same job for a fraction of the cost. That money could go toward upgrading your entire bathroom instead of just one appliance.

7. Frameless Glass Shower Doors

Frameless glass doors look sleek in photos, but show every single water spot and soap scum mark. You’ll spend more time squeegeing and cleaning than actually enjoying the minimalist look.

They cost way more than framed options without adding real function. Installation requires precise measurements, and older NYC buildings rarely have perfectly square walls.

Hard water stains become your constant enemy, requiring special cleaners and daily maintenance. Simple shower curtains are cheap, easy to replace, and hide messes better anyway.

8. Accent Wall Tiles

Bold accent walls with fancy tiles make your bathroom feel trendy right now, but trends change fast. What looks amazing today might feel dated in just a few years when styles shift. Removing and replacing specialty tiles costs a fortune compared to repainting regular walls.

Busy patterns can make small NYC bathrooms feel even more cramped and overwhelming. Neutral tiles give you flexibility to change decor without major renovations later. Simple subway tiles never go out of style and cost way less per square foot too.

9. LED Vanity Mirrors

LED mirrors with built-in lighting look super modern but cost hundreds more than regular mirrors. Regular vanity lights mounted above or beside your mirror do the exact same job for less money.

When the LEDs eventually burn out, you often have to replace the entire mirror. They need hardwiring by an electrician, which adds installation costs on top of the mirror price.

The lighting is usually too harsh or too dim, with no good middle ground. Separate fixtures give you way more control over brightness and style choices.

10. Bidets

Bidets are gaining popularity, but many New Yorkers find them unnecessary after the initial excitement fades. Installation can be tricky in tight bathroom spaces with limited plumbing access.

They add another fixture to clean and maintain in your already small bathroom. Most guests feel awkward using them anyway, so they sit unused most of the time.

Quality toilet paper does the job just fine for most people’s daily needs. The money you save could upgrade other bathroom features that everyone actually uses regularly instead.

11. Oversized Mirrors

Giant mirrors might make your bathroom look bigger, but they’re a pain to keep clean and smudge-free. Every fingerprint, water splash, and toothpaste speck shows up like a spotlight on all that glass.

They’re heavy and difficult to install securely on older plaster walls. If one cracks or breaks, replacement costs are huge compared to standard-sized mirrors.

You’ll constantly see yourself from unflattering angles while sitting on the toilet, too. Appropriately sized mirrors give you everything you need without the extra maintenance headaches and expense.