Investing in a bathroom renovation is a fun project that you can do to amplify the look of your home and increase its property value. Besides, the bathroom contains one of the most used and vital seats in your house, so it deserves attention. Getting this space spruced up is top priority with the high-traffic it receives.
Remember, your bathroom is more than a place where you perform your sanitary and hygiene habits. With the right design, this place can be your safe haven where you can literally wash off the day’s stress. You can design it any way you like so it can be a relaxing sanctuary.
If you are considering a bathroom remodel, follow these tips to make your current space attractive while ensuring the whole renovation process is smooth, efficient, and within budget.
Find a Good Contractor
The most critical consideration for your bathroom renovation is finding a reputable contractor to serve as your ally. The right team can turn your vision into a reality and save you from tons of headaches. After all, you do not want to deal with expensive back jobs and faulty fixture placements.
For instance, the right team will ascertain you pick the right sanitary wares before they begin plastering and tiling. They will guide you in choosing the right fixtures because the hot and cold pipes and drain/sewer pipes must be in the correct position. Changing the location of the faucet or tub can be expensive. Figuring out these tiny details can save you from expensive alterations down the line.
A professional contractor will be forthright about the entire renovation cost, from the price of materials to labor. Do not be afraid to discuss pricing because your budget is another crucial factor that will guide your bathroom renovation project. Besides, contractors are open to negotiation, so do not be afraid to ask for discounts. Most are willing to work within your budget. To help you find the best team, ask for the following details:
- Licenses, permits, and accreditation to operate
- Insurance coverage in case accidents happen in your home
- Design portfolio to check their past projects
- A detailed contract that stipulates the work agreement
Check if You Can Reuse Certain Fixtures
If the budget is tight, you can reuse your existing sanitarywares or taps if they are still in good condition. Some are salvageable, and you can spruce them up with a little coat of paint or re-enameling. Doing this is not only affordable, but it is an excellent way to add charm and character to your new bathroom.
Do not be afraid to think outside the box when you are remodeling. Allowing your creative juices to flow will help you achieve nice results even if your budget is limited. If you truly want to save, work with existing plumbing. Moving around fixtures can be expensive.
However, you may want to upgrade pipes that look worse for wear. It is better to get everything done in one go while things are exposed. Older pipes may need replacement, and it is a lot easier to do that when you are renovating.
Think of Recessed Features to Create More Room
Bathrooms are usually smaller than the rest of your house. And when you do not have the luxury of too much spice, you can still create a sleek new look by opting for recessed fixtures. You can have them built-in by your contractor, such as:
- Medicine cabinets
- Toilet roll holders
- Soap dishes
Pry out as much room as possible from an extremely tight space by working with a recessed design. You can even do this with an existing hanging ceiling light by converting it into recessed lights. Taking this route will give you a lot more space to work with.
Utilize More Mirrors in Your Space
When it comes to renovating your bathroom, do not limit yourself to a tiny mirror above your sink. Remember, bathroom mirrors are not only for checking your hair or fixing your makeup. Mirrors are design implements that can make your bathroom look more spacious.
Mirrors provide the illusion of space because it bounces off light, making the room appear more bright and airy. Besides, a mirror’s reflective property can visually expand your bathroom. Today, adding a second mirror apart from the primary one above the sink is popular. So, join that bandwagon and add this detail to your bathroom renovation project.
Play Around with Colors to Suit Your Fancy
You have a wide color palette to choose from. If you have a big bathroom, you can play with different colors and let your bathroom reflect your unique personality. For example, you can choose something vibrant like yellow and red if you want your bathroom to stand out. On the other hand, working with black and gray is an option if you want a more subdued look.
However, if you have a smaller bathroom, remember that you can make the space appear bigger by staying in the white or light color spectrum. Darker colors have the power to make a room look smaller. Picking something dark will give your tiny bathroom “claustrophobic feels.”
On the other hand, a white or light-colored bathroom looks so much brighter. This will trick the eyes into believing that your bathroom looks larger than it actually does. So be wary about choosing the color of your tiles, tub, sink, and commode. Plus, it would help to stick to white or off-white color for your bathroom ceiling because anything other than this will make your room appear even smaller.
Make Room for Nice Lighting
Most people do not prioritize lighting in their bathrooms, as seen in most older homes. On top of that, bathrooms often do not receive sufficient natural lighting because they come with tiny windows. Typically, pre-installed bathroom artificial lighting is weak and plain-looking, adding no visual appeal.
If you want a successful bathroom renovation project, you must pay attention to these details. First, remember that this area is where you usually inspect your makeup and hair. Thus, you need proper lighting. Do not pick something dim and only concentrate on one spot because you will not get a lot of visual clarity.
For this reason, you must add ample lights to your bathroom renovation project. You can easily add more lights near your mirror by using sconces. But, of course, you also do not want blinding lights, especially if you are going to unwind and soak in the tub with mood music. Hence, a nifty device like a dimmer switch is a perfect bathroom renovation addition so you can have late-night relaxing baths with the perfect ambiance.
Consider Imbibing Natural Elements
From stone accents to wicker hampers, there are many natural details you can add to your bathroom. Of course, you must pay attention to waterproofing treatment for certain materials to make sure they last within a moist environment. Adding these touches to your bathroom is good for you. Studies say earthing or communing with nature can alleviate stress, boost immunity, make you feel positive, and improve your circadian rhythms.
Another excellent addition is living plants. Again, they should not be an after-thought. These plants not only bring the much-needed pop of green or color to your otherwise sterile bathroom, but they also improve indoor air. For instance, spider plants work well in bathrooms, especially since they help filter out carbon monoxide and pollutants like formaldehyde in cleaning products.
Instead of placing plants in the usual terracotta pots, use embellished planters that match your bathroom theme. You can also opt for hanging ivy plants to take advantage of the vertical space. Alternatively, you can add a floating shelf to give your trailing plants their cozy spot. The sky’s the limit to your imagination.
Pick Out the Perfect Flooring
Do you fancy having solid wood floors in your bathroom? This material infuses a nice touch and gives your bathroom character. However, it may not be the best flooring material because wood expands due to moisture. So, from a practical standpoint, this is not the best choice.
However, you can ask your contractor about alternatives that look like wood, or even different types of tile. They will give you the same vibe without the delicate and hard-to-maintain characteristics of real wood. For best results, you must pick a type of floor that is sturdy enough to endure the rigors of daily bathroom use.
The most popular bathroom floor materials are the following:
- Ceramic tile
- Porcelain tile
- Luxury vinyl plank
- Vinyl tile
- Sheet vinyl flooring
- Marble
Include Freestanding Accent Pieces
Consider adding a freestanding statement piece in your bathroom if you have extra space. You can have your contractor install a fancy cupboard or vanity to serve as your focal point. Alternatively, you can add a decorative stool or chair.
Adding freestanding pieces go perfectly well with your recessed elements. On top of that, your accent pieces also offer functionality. Apart from giving your bathroom a more sophisticated look, it serves as a practical element because you can use it to store towels or other small items.
Incorporate More Storage Space
Most homeowners lament that their bathroom does not have a lot of storage space. Apart from the medicine cabinet and under sink storage, there is not much room to work with. Remember, storage is vital in keeping an organized house because everything will have a proper place. Besides, clutter will make your newly renovated bathroom look messy.
Make sure you factor in more shelving into your bathroom renovation project, so you will have space for your things like linens, soaps, and other toiletries. Alternatively, you can also install more hooks. These nifty devices allow you to add surface area to your bathroom without eating up more space.
Besides, these hooks work well for your bathrobes, towels, belts, nightclothes, etc. You can place the hooks in the following strategic locations:
- Behind the door
- Side of the cabinets
- Unused sections of the bathroom wall.
Prioritize Bathroom Ventilation
Your bathroom renovation project will never be successful without the right ventilation system in place. For example, building codes require the correct window size or a bathroom exhaust fan. These details are vital in keeping out moisture and preventing mold and mildew growth.
The latter can damage your health, leading to triggered allergies and respiratory issues. They will also stain your bathroom and look unsightly, resulting in significant repair costs. Remember, bathrooms are usually damp due to condensation from your shower. The warm steam is the perfect thriving place for these parasites, so a ventilation system is a must-have to keep the moisture out.
When you shop for ventilation systems, you must look at the exhaust capacity. This means finding out how many cubic feet of air the machine can move per minute. You should also check the noise level of the fan. Some fans are annoyingly loud, while the pricier ones emit a gentle hum that doesn’t grate on your nerves.
Triple Check the Materials
You must prioritize choosing materials that can withstand and weather the harsh environment of your bathroom. It is damp, hot, moist, and receives tons of wear and tear. Thus, apart from investing in good bathroom flooring, you must opt for waterproof paint, sealed wall tiles, etc. In addition, all your materials must withstand high volumes of water.
You can also consider protecting the lower section of your wall with a pretty beadboard. First, this easy-to-install accent piece offers a great look for your bathroom. But more importantly, it is specifically designed to catch splashes of water coming from your tub and shower. This will extend the life of your bathroom materials and prevent massive wear and tear.
Carve Time for Your Project
Sadly, the bathroom is often the most neglected room since homeowners usually prioritize renovating the kitchen, living room, or bedroom.
Give your neglected bathroom the TLC it deserves. You do not need to spend a lot of money to spruce up this space. Besides, the worst bathroom remodeling mistakes happen when your project becomes overly complex and complicated.
So, keep things simple and elegant. If you need help sprucing up your bathroom, call our team at Eco Minded Solutions. Whether it is a simple fix or a full bath remodel, our licensed experts can help swap out old fixtures, add new features, or incorporate smart tech.
