Bathrooms and kitchens are the two most popular places that homeowners like to remodel or renovate. One of the reasons is because updating these two rooms increases the value of your home more than any other room in your house. Bathrooms are easier because they are generally smaller and cost less money. Before getting started, it is in your best interest to have a general working knowledge of what you can expect, how much it will cost, and what mistakes you should try to avoid. Bathroom remodels come with their own unique challenges that might be hidden problems like plumbing, venting, mold, and water damage. Keep in mind when planning your remodel, especially your budget, that you might need more money and time should you encounter any of these problems.
Your Budget
Your budget will help you determine what type of materials you should choose. It will also make it easier to decide what you can afford to replace and where you might need to get creative. The size of your bathroom, the quality of materials you choose, and whether or not you want to hire someone to do the labor for you or if you need to do some of it yourself will all be major factors that will affect the cost of your remodeling project.
Plan and Order
Unless you are buying something off the shelf, it could take a few weeks for some of your orders to arrive at your home, especially if you want to custom-order something like tiles. The last thing you want to do is start ripping out your fixtures while you wait for your tub or vanity to arrive. There is no point in making your bathroom unusable before you are ready to replace what you tear out.
Your Walls
Your main concern when it comes to your bathroom walls should be about moisture as it can be devastating for bathrooms. Vinyl-coated wallpaper is best for bathroom walls because it withstands moisture much better than paper. You can choose from many different patterns, colors, and textures. Before you start any wallpaper project, it is important for you to know what the best practices are in addition to knowing what common mistakes to avoid.
First Impressions
It is important to know that if you move the plumbing in your bathroom, it will cost you more money. It is more cost-efficient to leave the tub, sink, and toilet in the same place to save money. If, however, you have a large budget, and do plan to move your plumbing and pipes, whatever you do, don’t make the toilet the first thing you see when you walk into your bathroom. Why you might ask. Because sometimes people forget and leave the bathroom door open. If you have a guest in your house who walks past the bathroom, what they will see will not be the most aesthetically pleasing thing to look at. You can give your bathroom a spa look and feel, and enhance your shower experience. You may even decide to install a macerator pump along with a new toilet. In addition to being simple to install, macerator pumps are easy to operate.
Color it Larger
If your bathroom is small, you can make it look larger if you use colors that are in the white-to-cream color spectrum.
Understand Your Skill Level
In an effort to save money on labor, you might decide to do some things yourself. However, if you don’t have the right skill level, you could end up making a mess of things and having to hire a professional to clean up your mess.
Proper Lighting
Don’t overlook the importance of lighting in your bathroom. Many people concentrate on having a single light, usually from a ceiling fixture. But don’t forget that the bathroom is where people really need to have good lighting as they are inspecting their hair and face and are shaving or putting on makeup. A good option is to put lighting around the bathroom mirror or sconce lighting at the vanity. Ideally, you want to get even lighting on your face at eye level as this will diminish shadows.
Shower Storage
If you are replacing your shower, don’t forget about leaving room or space for your razor, shampoo, conditioner, and soap. You can install ceramic tile shelving in the corner of the shower or even build in-the-wall shelving.
Ventilation is a Must
Bathroom moisture is not your friend. Without the proper ventilation, mold and mildew will start to grow. Be sure to install a vent fan that will remove humid air. Vent fans are rated by the number of cubic feet of air they move per minute (CFM) so be sure to buy the size fan that matches the size of your bathroom.
Remodeling your bathroom is an investment in time and money but one that is well worth it. Not only will you enjoy your new and improved bathroom, you will be able to recoup some of your costs should you decide to sell your home at a later date.
