The Bathroom Upgrade That Adds the Most Value to Your Home

Undergoing a home renovation often requires striking a delicate balance between what you love, what suits your lifestyle, and what can pay off in dividends down the road. When you’re tackling a space as important—and as anticipated—as a primary bathroom, the stakes can feel even higher, causing many homeowners to fall right into functional freeze and default to the most basic, low-risk options possible.  

Wouldn’t it be great if you had a “man on the inside” who could help steer you toward a high-value upgrade that would not only catapult your at-home retreat into luxury territory but also increase the value of your home and entice future buyers, should you ever decide to sell? Well, consider us that inside source. We tapped six high-end real estate agents to suss out what luxury bathroom upgrade moves the needle the most when it comes to home value—and they all agreed.

The Best High-Value Upgrade You Can Make To Your Bathroom

There are a few areas in your home where you can pretty much never go wrong upgrading, one of them being your primary bathroom. “Although it’s one of the smaller rooms in a home, the bathroom is one of the most valuable and impactful spaces in the house,” says McKenzie Ryan, an associate real estate broker with Douglas Elliman Real Estate in New York City. “A bathroom not only serves a practical function in everyday life, but it’s also an aspirational and luxurious space that buyers place a lot of emphasis on.”

So, exactly what upgrade will give you the most bang for your buck in the bathroom? According to the pros we talked to, it’s a luxury shower. 

“The bathroom remodel upgrade that moves the needle the most in terms of home value is upgrading to a spa-like walk-in shower in the primary bathroom,” says Karina Ugarte, a Miami real estate agent with The Riley Smith Group at Compass. “Many buyers prioritize luxury and design, and this upgrade checks all the boxes. It’s the most noticeable transformation you can make in a bathroom, and the one that consistently helps homes sell faster and for more.” 

Agent Stephanie L. Schwed of Nest Seekers International Palm Beach agrees, noting that even small shower tweaks can go a long way toward upping the value of your home if you don’t have the bandwidth (or budget) for a full gut renovation. “High-value bathroom upgrades can significantly boost a home’s resale appeal and value,” she says. “A complete renovation is great, but even smaller upgrades like installing a frameless glass shower door or replacing outdated fixtures can make a big impact. These strategic updates help create a spa-like experience that buyers love.”

How to Create a Luxury Shower in Your Bathroom

Now that you know where to focus your attention, how should you go about creating a spa-worthy shower in your own space? Like any good design upgrade, the way you interpret creating a luxury shower is totally up to you—but our pros had a few suggestions of their own. 

Make It the Focal Point

You probably don’t have the budget to go big on every aspect of your bathroom’s design, so focus your money and attention on making the shower the star and let the rest of the space fade to the background in a thoughtful but simple way. “Invest in making it a visual statement piece, and keep the rest timeless and neutral,” suggests Arlena Armstrong-Petock, a real estate salesperson with Anatole House in New York’s Hudson Valley. “One piece can really make the space feel high-end, and keeping a neutral palette for permanent fixtures bodes well for long-term value.” 

Choose a Natural Stone

If you have the budget, you can’t beat the patina and texture that comes with natural stone in the bathroom. Not only that, but opting for something like real marble can often pay off with buyers down the line. “Choosing a stone like marble or high-quality ceramic can help you achieve a more beautiful and luxurious finish that future buyers will appreciate and be willing to spend more on,” says Ryan. “Select a timeless and elegant stone to create significant long-term value for your home. I would steer clear of anything trendy and instead opt for something that can be paired with more playful accents, like unique wallpaper, an eclectic vanity, or fun light fixtures. The stone is meant to serve as the foundation upon which the rest of the bathroom is designed.”

Double Up Your Shower Heads

When it comes to creating a luxurious bathroom experience, sometimes more is more, especially when it comes to doubling down on your fixtures (literally). “Double shower heads are a great feature—everyone’s looking for that!” says Aaron Buchbinder, top agent at Compass in Boca Raton, Florida. “Plus, it’s easier to add them during a renovation, so a prospective buyer doesn’t have to deal with tearing up floors and walls later to add the plumbing.”

Swap a Curtain for Something Permanent

Big-ticket renovation items are naturally what you’ll notice the most return on investment from, but that’s not to say that smaller tweaks can’t help elevate your shower, either. “One of the easiest ways to elevate a bathroom is by swapping out a dated shower curtain for a glass door or splash guard,” says Frances Katzen, top broker at Douglas Elliman in New York City. “It immediately creates a cleaner, high-end feel to the space.”