Totally agree with you there—moderation is key, but a little indulgence can really elevate the whole remodel. I've flipped a few houses, and bathrooms are always tricky because it's easy to underestimate costs. My last bathroom reno ran me about $9k, and that was with me doing some of the simpler tasks myself (painting, fixtures, etc.). But honestly, I don't regret spending a bit extra on heated floors and nicer tile. Those little upgrades not only make the space feel luxurious, but they also add solid resale value down the line. The trick is knowing where to splurge and where to hold back. Fancy faucets? Nice, but not always worth it. Quality waterproofing and good lighting? Definitely worth every penny.
I'm just wrapping up my first bathroom remodel, and honestly, I wish I'd read your post sooner. Thought I'd be clever and save money by skipping heated floors... now every chilly morning reminds me of that decision, haha. Ended up around $7k total, mostly DIY except plumbing and electrical (not messing with that!). Splurged a bit on waterproofing and lighting after reading horror stories online—definitely glad I did. Agree about faucets though; found some sleek-looking budget options that feel just as nice as pricier ones. Next time around, heated floors are definitely happening... lesson learned the cold way.
Haha, totally feel you on the cold floors... I skipped heated flooring too, thinking it was just a luxury. But after tiptoeing across freezing tiles every winter morning, I finally caved and got some cozy bath mats—eco-friendly bamboo ones, actually. Not heated floors, but definitely helps!
"I skipped heated flooring too, thinking it was just a luxury."
Haha, same here. Thought heated floors were just fancy extras until I stayed at a friend's cabin last winter. Stepping onto warm tiles after a freezing hike was like discovering fire for the first time... life-changing. But yeah, bamboo mats are a solid compromise—eco-friendly and stylish. My remodel ran me around $8k, mostly because I went all-in on reclaimed wood shelving and low-flow fixtures. Worth every penny though, feels good knowing it's sustainable and cozy.
I was in the same boat about heated floors until I had a client insist on them for their master bath remodel. At first, I thought it was just another unnecessary splurge, but after testing it out myself (you know, quality control 😉), I totally get the appeal. Especially if you live somewhere with harsh winters—it's like stepping onto a warm beach instead of cold porcelain every morning.
That said, it's definitely not a must-have for everyone. I've seen plenty of bathrooms turn out beautifully without it, and honestly, sometimes the simpler options feel more practical long-term. Bamboo mats are great, and cork flooring is another underrated choice—warm underfoot, sustainable, and pretty budget-friendly too.
Your reclaimed wood shelving sounds amazing, by the way. I recently worked with a client who sourced old barn wood for their vanity and shelves, and the character it added was incredible. It bumped up the cost a bit, but they were thrilled with the unique look and sustainability factor. My own bathroom remodel was around $10k, mostly because I splurged on custom cabinetry and quartz countertops. I justified it as an investment in durability (at least that's what I told myself, haha).
Curious though, did anyone here DIY parts of their remodel to save costs, or did you all go full pro? I always debate recommending DIY to clients—sometimes it saves money, other times it ends up costing more when things don't go as planned...
