The Most Popular Room to Renovate in 2022 Has Value-Boosting Potential

As nice as a glass-door fridge, shiplap cabinets, and a marble farmhouse sink sound, making over the kitchen isn’t the first renovation everyone will be tackling this year. The top home improvement project of 2022? Remodeling the bathroom, according to recent survey findings from real-estate platform Zillow and Realm. More than half of the homeowners polled are considering a bathroom renovation this year, followed by a kitchen transformation, outdoor landscaping, putting an addition on the first floor, and building a deck. 

Renovators are apparently willing to pay more for certain bathroom features that have the potential to boost their home’s value when it comes time to sell. These three spa-inspired updates are worth every penny.

Break Down the Final Barrier

A curbless shower allows you to maximize a small space while also creating a seamless look. The best part is houses listed with this feature can sell for 3.6 percent more than expected. All you need is a slightly sloped floor to allow for proper drainage and a floor-to-ceiling glass partition to delineate the wet zone from the dry zone. 

Bring the Heat 

No one wants to step out of the shower onto cold slate or tile (we can feel the chill just thinking about it), so consider a little extra insulation. Postings mentioning the keywords heated floor or radiant heat in their descriptions can sell for 3.2 percent more than planned, according to Zillow’s findings. 

Soak Up the Good Vibes

Luxury is sinking into a hot bath at the end of a long workday—particularly a freestanding one that is meant to hold an adult (unlike the dated shower-tub combo versions). This upgrade, which you can cleverly combine with your curbless shower if you’ve got the right layout, can boost your home’s value by 2.6 percent. All that’s left to do is fill it with bubbles.