Top 3 Bathroom Remodeling Trends for 2012

By Leslie Ortega, Homes.com

There’s no question, the two areas of any home that benefit the most from remodeling are the kitchen bathrooms. Updating bathrooms is an extremely effective way to add to the value of your home. A popular project to undertake, bathrooms tend to be a smaller space and therefore don’t seem to be as overwhelming to homeowners. Homes.com, a leading lifestyle resource, has taken note of the top three trends in bathroom remodeling for 2012.

Updated Vanities

Black Sink Chest with Star Motif Vanity by Hooker Furniture

Replacing an old vanity with a new, bright and clean one, takes years off the look and feel of an outdated bathroom. Adding a vanity in a bathroom that currently has a pedestal sink is an excellent way to gain storage space and add personality to the room. There are several options in size, design and cost so creating any look is possible with a simple update.

Lighter Colored Paint Choices

A new coat of paint transforms any room from dull and dreary to bright and beautiful. Lighter tones are definitely trending now, as people strive to create an open and airy feel in the bathroom. Light doesn’t necessarily mean white either; light blues, greens and grays are being seen in a lot of bathroom updates. Painting also does wonders for dark wood cabinets or vanities. A Simple coat of white paint completely transforms the look and requires very little manpower, or expense.

Framing Standard Mirrors

Most homes come with a basic mirror in the bathroom, which can look pretty plain. An inexpensive way to spruce up the mirror is to add a frame. There are two popular options for this; 1. purchase a large framed mirror (which can be expensive) or 2. build a frame to fit around your current mirror. The great thing about building a frame, it can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose. A quick, option is to painted pieces of wood, then cut them to fit. No matter how you choose to frame out a basic mirror, it will make a dramatic difference.

In addition to giving your bathroom a makeover that you will enjoy, updating it will add value to your home should you decide to sell it in the future. Not all trends are for everyone, decide which parts of your bathroom you’d like to change and feel free to get creative with the updates. At the end of the day, it’s your space and improving it to your taste is most important, just make sure any updates will add value in the long run.

Check out Homes.com’s Top 3 Kitchen Remodeling Trends for 2012.