5 Bathroom Upgrades Real Estate Agents Say Always Impress Buyers

If selling your home is on your list of priorities for 2026, now is a great time to consider what easy upgrades and projects you can take on to entice potential buyers. While you can’t please everyone, there are some parts of the home that are guaranteed to make or break interest, and the bathroom definitely ranks high on the list. With this in mind, we turned to a luxury real estate pro to get her thoughts on the easiest, low-lift ways to upgrade your bathroom ahead of a sale. Focus on Functionality According to real estate pro Shelton Wilder, most buyers have pretty basic needs when it comes to the bathroom. “They want the bathroom to feel clean, easy to use, and visually cohesive,” she says. “Even a small space should feel intentional, well-maintained, and aligned with the overall style of the home.” This, of course, doesn’t mean you need to do a complete overhaul to create a minimalist, zen-like space. Instead, Wilder says there are a few easy, small changes you can make to enhance this particular room in your house. “Focus on clean lines, fresh finishes, and consistency,” she says. “When a space feels cared for, buyers assume the home has been well maintained overall.” Want more design inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest decor ideas, designer tips, and more! Paint the Walls Unlike a larger bathroom refurb, giving your walls a fresh coat of paint is an easy, cost-effective way of upgrading the area. It can also make an instant difference, making it one of the most impactful DIY options on the list. “Painting goes a long way,” she says. “It’s one of the most affordable updates with the highest visual impact.” Clean or Replace Grout or Caulking Along with a fresh coat of paint, Wilder says dirty grout or caulking can be an immediate turn-off to some buyers. Fortunately, it’s an incredibly easy fix with a big impact. “We always recommend re-grouting the tile if it’s dated or discolored,” she says. “It instantly makes the bathroom feel newer and brighter.” Upgrade the Lighting If your bathroom is feeling drab and dingy, it could be as simple and straightforward as upgrading and updating the light fixtures. “Good lighting changes everything,” says Wilder. “Bright, warm, well-placed lighting makes bathrooms feel larger, cleaner, and more inviting.” To assess whether or not your bathroom lighting is causing a problem, Wilder suggests asking yourself if the bathroom feels bright, clean, and comfortable upon entering. “If not, lighting is usually the fix,” she says. Streamline Your Design One common issue Wilder sees regularly turn off potential buyers is when the bathroom doesn’t fit the style of the home. “A house should have bathrooms that feel aligned with the architecture,” she says. If your bathroom doesn’t, don’t panic. There are small ways you can create a more cohesively designed space—and they’re all fairly important. “Even small details like mirror shape, fixtures, and finishes can make the space feel intentional instead of generic,” says Wilder. “When a bathroom feels cohesive, buyers feel confident—and confidence sells homes.”