Next to the kitchen, bathrooms are the prime selling points of any home. It is critical that they are clean, smell nice and are attractive to potential home buyers. Many older homes are in critical need of a bathroom renovation upgrade. There is no smarter time to complete this critical work than prior to placing the home on the market. At the very least, bathrooms in need of renovation will provide the buyer strong negotiating tools to knock the asking price down a few notches. With this in mind, here are seven easy and effective pointers to renovate a bathroom.

Pointer 1: Install a Glass Shower Enclosure

Many older bathrooms use a shower curtain and a tub as the shower. These are mostly unacceptable to home buyers. Enclosing the tub shower with glass will not only make the bathroom more appealing, it will make the bathroom appear larger. This larger feel is critical in small, cramped bathrooms of older homes.

Pointer 2: Add New Tile to Floor and Walls

Replacing the existing tile with marble or large tile blocks will work wonders for the bathroom's appearance. This is one area of the home that a little creativity will not hurt your selling chances. Most buyers like to see unusual patterns and colors of flooring and tiles in bathrooms. Be sure to use the largest tile or marble block possible for the maximum impact when renovating a bathroom.

Pointer 3: Brighten up the Bathroom

Good lighting is key to making any bathroom look more appealing. This is another area where creativity can pay off in spades when renovating a bathroom. The key is to use lights that are bright but not overly bright. Some hints include lighting under the floor cabinets and using shadows advantageously.

Pointer 4: Replace the Sink

There is nothing worse than an old dirty sink in the bathroom. Some sinks are so dirty they are beyond repair. Replacing an old sink with a new metal, glass or stone one can completely change the look of a bathroom. There are countless varieties available at plumbing supply stores and many home centers.

Pointer 5: Change the Tub

Old fashion tubs just lack appeal, unless they are the large claw-footed kind. A typical bathtub is boring and should be replaced during a pre-sale bathroom renovation. Think deep soaking tubs or even a Jacuzzi to really jazz up the bathroom for potential buyers.

Pointer 6: Change the Shower

If the space permits it, adding a separate shower enclosure can work wonders in making a bathroom look modern and large. There are all types of showers available currently. A quick look at the variety available at a supply store will amaze.

Pointer 7: Add Towel Warmers

This luxury feature is an inexpensive way to ramp up the exclusive feel of the bathroom. Everyone loves warm towels after a shower and this feature provides them.