The Popular Bathroom Upgrade That You May End Up Regretting

If you're just starting out on your bathroom renovation journey, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the variety of dazzling and unique design options available to you. As such, it can often be difficult to work out which are the right choices for you and your home. However, there's one popular bathroom design upgrade that you may actually end up regretting if you decide to employ it in your own space: dramatic or distinctive shower tile.

While it can absolutely be tempting to opt for a tile that looks fresh and interesting, you could regret it for a few different reasons. Firstly, there's the impact on the feel of your space. When examining a bold bathroom tile in a home improvement store, you may be taken in by its visual interest, but will it become overwhelming and tiring to look at all the time? In a room that is often prized for being relaxing and feeling clean, a busy tile in the shower could create a less calming environment. 

Secondly, there's the cost. It varies based on factors like tile material and how much of it you'd need to use, but unique tiles and custom designs typically come at a higher cost than their more standard counterparts. And finally, opting for tile that is only specific to one taste or design preference could mean that it's more difficult to sell your home when the time comes, or even that you have to reverse what you've done to make your bathroom more universally attractive. So, before you choose a bold tile, it's worth exploring some other ways to add character so you don't end up regretting your bathroom renovation.

Given that many bathrooms are visually dominated by their showers, it can be easy to think that the only way to add character to this space is to opt for striking tiles. However, this isn't necessarily the case. Given the issues that can make people regret a bold shower tile choice, it's important to consider some less permanent options that can help you achieve the same effect. For example, sticking with a relatively classic tile and opting for bold, eccentric soft furnishings — such as towels, bath mats, and shower curtains — is a great way to try out a more unusual style without diving in completely.

In addition, wall hangings such as interestingly-shaped mirrors or quirky art pieces are a great way to add character to your bathroom. These can be changed out whenever you get tired of them, or if you ever decide to sell your house. If you're still dying to have some fun patterns in your space to reflect your taste, paint is another good option. It's generally much easier — and often more affordable — to repaint a wall yourself than to rip all the tiles out of a shower and redo them. You could even try pairing a fun paint color with some moisture-resistant peel-and-stick wallpaper to add instant drama to your bathroom. Since potential home buyers can change paint and wallpaper with relative ease, they may be less scared off than they are by the idea of redoing an entire tiled shower.