It’s wild how often people overlook lighting—honestly, it can make or break the whole vibe. I always tell folks: don’t cheap out on valves and switches. It’s not the sexy stuff, but you’ll notice when it fails (usually at the worst time). Fixtures are easy to swap later, but plumbing and lighting are a pain to redo. Learned that one the hard way in my own place...
Yeah, totally agree—lighting and plumbing are where you want to spend a little extra. I’ve seen folks regret skimping on those every time. For a mid-range bathroom remodel, most of my clients end up around $18k–$25k, depending on size and finishes. It’s not cheap, but cutting corners usually bites you later.
That price range sounds about right for what I’ve seen lately. I’m curious—do you think it’s always worth splurging on higher-end fixtures? I did a flip last year and went with mid-tier plumbing, but the lighting was a splurge. Haven’t had any complaints, but I wonder if I should’ve gone all-in on both. Ever see a big difference in resale value based on those choices?
I’ve always felt like splurging on lighting gives you more bang for your buck than fancy plumbing. People notice a cool light fixture way before they care about the brand of faucet, unless it’s something really high-end. I did mid-range everything in my last place and it sold just fine. Unless you’re in a super luxury market, I don’t think buyers nitpick that stuff too much.
I get where you’re coming from with the lighting, but man, I’ve had buyers walk into a bathroom and immediately start fiddling with the faucet like they’re testing out a new car. Maybe it’s just my luck, but I swear, people love a fancy tap—especially if it’s one of those waterfall ones or has some weird finish. Had a guy once who spent five minutes just turning the shower handle back and forth. Didn’t even notice the new pendant light I’d put in.
Don’t get me wrong, a statement light can totally change the vibe, but I’ve found that if the plumbing fixtures look cheap or dated, folks start mentally deducting from their offer. I guess it depends on the crowd, but in my experience, mid-range lighting with just one or two splurge-y plumbing pieces (like a cool faucet or rain shower) gets the best reaction. People love to imagine themselves living like they’re in a hotel, even if it’s just for a quick hand wash.
