Bathroom Home Improvement Ideas That Increase Home Resale Value

Updated: August 28, 2026Written by: Emily Bloch

When upgrading your home’s bathroom, the options can feel endless. It’s important to prioritize a bathroom remodel that not only makes you feel good during your time in the home, but will also retain value when it comes time to sell. Considering the ROI on your bathroom home improvements will serve you well when moving forward.

The bathroom remodeling projects to seriously consider undertaking are the ones that — when the home hits the market — will recuperate as much of the cost as possible. In fact, as previously reported by Modernize, upgrading a bathroom can increase a home’s return on investment by $21,000-$67,000, depending on the scale of the work being done. 

So, what kind of work will help guarantee a high return on investment? And even further, what materials are best for the task?

Here’s what you need to know.

What Type of Shower Has the Best ROI During a Bathroom Remodel?

There are dozens of options when it comes to shower upgrades for your bathroom renovations. But some have proven to hold more value than others, specifically shower-tub combos and walk-in showers. 

Tub-Shower Combo

Average Cost:

$350 – 890

• Practical

• Popular

• Less expensive than many other shower types

Walk-in Shower

Average Cost:

$800 – 10,000+

• Modern

• Accessible

• No curtain or door necessary

To start, if feasible in your home, a bathroom home improvement that remains popular decade over decade is shower-bathtub combos because they are family-friendly. Shower-bathtub combos — with either a shower curtain or sliding glass doors — are versatile and convenient for smaller sized bathrooms. They typically cost an average of $350-890 to install, depending on how big it is and on if you choose to have glass doors or a shower curtain. 

Walk-in showers are another popular shower option for their timeless quality. They’re also known as open showers and are popular for their sleek design and easy accessibility. Many homeowners prefer the look and added convenience of being able to walk into a shower without using a door or curtain. 

Bathroom Remodel Cost Calculator

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What Bathroom Flooring Has the Best ROI During a Bathroom Remodel? 

The same way a car is only as good as its tires, a bathroom home improvement is only as nice as its flooring. 

Swapping out your bathroom’s floors is a great way to refresh its appearance while also improving a home’s overall functionality. Select materials that work optimally with conditions inherent to a bathroom, like humidity. 

Tile Flooring

Average Cost:

$2 – 10 per square foot

• Ceramic and porcelain are particularly durable

• Come in a wide variety of shapes and colors

• Less expensive than some other tile options

Marble Flooring

Average Cost:

$5 – 18 per square foot

• Elegant and luxurious look

• Can be slippery — consider a textured finished

• Expensive to install and needs to be sealed annually

Stone Flooring

Average Cost:

$4 – 16 per square foot

• Beautiful, natural design choice

• Timeless

• Higher installation and maintenance costs

There are a ton of options — ranging from inexpensive vinyl to more expensive marble — depending on your renovation budget. 

The best bathroom flooring options for a high return on investment are tile, marble, and stone:

• Tile can be relatively affordable.
• Both tile and marble are typically highly waterproof or water-resistant.
• Stone, on the other hand, is luxurious and holds an incredible value — but is more porous and can require more upkeep.

Other bathroom flooring that can help boost a home’s value include upgrades such as adding heated flooring.

What Elements in a Bathroom Remodel Will See the Biggest ROI?

Remodeling a bathroom with the mindset of retaining value doesn’t have to mean big, costly projects. In fact, something as simple as a fresh coat of paint is a bathroom home improvement that can have a major impact. 

For instance, a light blue bathroom — instead of a bright, vibrant hue — was found to increase the sale price of a home by nearly $2,800. 

Prioritizing smaller, individual upgrades in your bathroom remodeling project to accommodate your budget is a solid way to save costs while still boosting your home’s return on interest. 

In addition to showers and floors, some of the most popular bathroom upgrades include: 

• Cabinets: $1,200–$13,000
• Countertops: $900–$6,500
• Lighting: $120–$4,000
• Sink: $190–$6,500
• Toilet: $130–$780
• Tub: $400–$8,000

Working with a trusted contractor can help you pinpoint the best areas for your bathroom remodeling project to focus on with the goal of maximizing your home’s value. Modernize can make things even easier by helping you find the right licensed pro for the job.