These Are the Top Bathroom Upgrades for 2023, According to HomeLight

Bathrooms and kitchens sell homes—which means they have the potential to either make or break a sale. So, if you're looking to put your home on the market, it can pay off to put extra attention into these rooms and make sure they're aligned with what buyers are looking for right now.

For insight into these preferences, HomeLight recently surveyed top real estate agents to discover the top bathroom upgrades that are popular with buyers this year. “Luxurious bathrooms are one of the new standouts to prospective buyers,” says Caroline Feeney, director of content at HomeLight. “Bathrooms that are both modern and functional with spa-like qualities are likely to help a house sell in 2023.”

Below are the top five bathroom upgrades for 2023 plus expert opinions on why these upgrades are so popular. Whether you're looking to sell or stay in your home, these changes can make your bathroom feel like a resort.

Double-Sink Vanity

According to HomeLight, 64 percent of agents report a double-sink vanity as the most popular bathroom upgrade among buyers. That doesn’t surprise Heather Mastrangeli, principal designer at Innovatus Design in Downers Grove, Illinois, who notes that shared bathrooms are common in many homes. “From primary ensuites to shared hall bathrooms to Jack and Jill style shared bathrooms, there is a desire to maintain individual space in the midst of a compressed footprint.” And with a double-sink vanity, each person has a dedicated space when morning and night routines overlap. “Double vanities allow for multiple people to share a space without the need for adding more bathrooms to a home,” Mastrangeli says.

But buyers aren’t just looking for any type of double-sink vanity. According to Jack Luciano, realtor at Platinum Living Realty in Scottsdale, Arizona, they want one that makes a statement. “Like the kitchen island, the vanity is now the focal point, and potential buyers are seeking natural woods, and still some gray or bolder blues and greens,” Luciano says, adding that black is also a classic choice—in addition to stand-out fixtures and quartz countertops.

Modern Lighting

Modern lighting is the second most popular bathroom choice, with 54 percent of agents listing it as a top upgrade with buyers in 2023. Considering how much time most of us spend in the bathroom performing daily routines, adding stylish lighting fixtures is a natural choice that can create a more welcoming atmosphere, explains Ashley Brooke, a New York-based licensed real estate agent at SERHANT. “Whether you’re preparing for the day ahead or unwinding in the evening, the right lighting is key to creating the perfect ambiance,” she says.

Modern bathroom lighting can take many forms, and that’s one of the reasons why it’s so popular. “Strategically placed feature lights and downlights can help give a warm glow,” explains Luciano. He also says under lighting for bathroom vanities is popular in newly renovated bathrooms—whether primary, secondary, or powder rooms.

And fortunately, adding modern lighting doesn’t have to be an extensive or expensive renovation project. “Replacing old sconces with new sleek lights provides an instant boost to the feel of a bathroom,” says Esther Dormer of Dormer Design in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “Even a lighted mirror can be functional and add a lot of light and refinement to a bathroom.”

Rainshower or Dual Shower Head

A rainshower or dual shower head is the third most popular bathroom upgrade popular with buyers, with 48 percent of agents selecting it as a top feature. According to Nancy Almodovar, president and CEO of Nan and Company Properties in Houston, Texas, modern rain showers are perfect for creating a spa-like atmosphere. “With cutting-edge design and advanced features, modern rain showers and double shower heads are essential for anyone looking to add a zen-like experience into their everyday routine,” Almodovar says.

Mastrangeli agrees, adding that there’s something relaxing and magical about water falling from the sky. “Many of my clients request rain showers for pure relaxation purposes and I always recommend additional shower heads which have a more forceful water pressure for rinsing shampoo from hair,” she says. In fact, she recommends including a standard shower head, a handheld shower head, and body sprays as ways to complement the rain shower and create a full shower system.

Vanity with Extra Storage

In fourth place, a vanity with extra storage was listed by 34 percent of agents. You may remember when design leaned toward displaying bathroom items so they were easily accessible. However, Mastrangeli says the minimalism movement focuses on the desire to conceal items. “More and more of my clients are requesting vanities with extra storage to hide their belongings so they have more countertop space and less visual clutter,” she says. “In addition to under-counter storage, tower storage, which sits on the countertop, will also become a feature in more and more bathrooms this year.”

For buyers looking for a high-end experience, Almodovar says a vanity with extra storage to maintain an organized bathroom is crucial. “With ample storage solutions, including thoughtfully designed drawers and cabinets, you can keep all of your essentials in order and within reach,” she says.

If you can’t find a functional vanity that you like, Dormer has another idea. “Sometimes people will convert a dresser into a vanity and that can be tailored to any look,” she says. “I suggest adding tile or granite to the top and then adding a bowl sink above.”

Soaking Tub

The final item on the list of top bathroom updates is a soaking tub, which was identified by 30 percent of agents. “Nearly three-fourths of homeowners who upgrade their bathtub opt for a soaking tub,” explains Luciano. He says they’re getting rid of those large, outdated garden tubs in favor of freestanding options. “Soaking tubs are typically flat-bottomed, but come in an array of modern sleek shapes,” Luciano says.

Soaking in a bathtub is certainly one of the top ways to relax and unwind. “Buyers think of their bathroom as a sanctuary, and soaking tubs have become a popular sought-after premium spa-like feature,” says Brooke.

And fortunately, it doesn’t have to be an expensive purchase. “The costs can start at just a few hundred dollars, and soaking tubs bring sophistication and indulgence to your home, as well as an aesthetically pleasing focus point to the bathroom,” says Almodovar.