Remodelling the bathroom can be both an exhilarating and nerve-wracking adventure. Many homeowners view it as a reflection of their social position, and it’s also one of the first chances they get to make their mark on their home. However, most people will think twice before diving headfirst into the scenario without preparedness because of the enormity of the investment.
If you’re ready to redesign your bathroom but need some guidance on how to do it properly, we’re here to help. Follow the tips in this post as a roadmap to a successful renovation that will yield the results you want. Get motivated to start working on your project by searching for some design ideas online.
Renovating a bathroom, no matter how big or little the job, can be a costly endeavour that demands time and money to execute correctly. During remodelling, many people experience stress and mess, and the unexpected difficulties they encounter can magnify even inconsequential issues to the point where they seem insurmountable. Looking for bathroom renovation? Look no further. Hitch Property Constructions has you covered. Fortunately for you, these bathroom Dos and Don’ts may help your renovation take place without any major hiccups.
The Do’s
Do – Begin With A Plan.
Any home renovation project that yields positive results must begin with a well-thought-out strategy. As a first step, write down all the different bathroom design concepts you have after giving some thought to what you want to achieve with the redesign. The results will help you settle on a prefered overall style.
Expert designer Ashleigh suggests you start by making a list of all the things you despise about your present lavatory. A designer can then create a bathroom layout for you that solves all of your problems after hearing about them from you.
Do – Design With The Future In Mind.
It’s important to think about who will be using the bathroom makeover before you start the project. A private restroom is likely to be used in a way that’s different from how your kids use the common bathroom, for example. This is also something to consider when planning out your bathroom’s layout. If you’re doing a bathroom remodel for a forever home and you and your family intend to use the space for many years to come, you can be creative with the design. However, if you’re thinking about selling in the near future, you might want to go for a more neutral and modern look.
Customers often can’t see beyond the here-and-now, making it difficult for them to anticipate how their future lifestyle might affect the kinds of products they’d like to purchase now.
Do – Add An Extra Budget
Extra costs are something that must be dealt with almost every time a bathroom is remodelled. This could be anything from mildew damage to mould growth behind your shower’s walls that you haven’t noticed yet. To be prepared for any unforeseen expenses, it is wise to set aside five percent of your budget as a safety net.
The Don’ts
Don’t – Rush Your Timeline.
One of the most important things to do before beginning your renovation is to consult the pros and take the time to talk over in depth your budget, lifestyle requirements, and ideas. Doing this is one of the things that you should do before beginning your renovation. One of the most crucial things to remember before starting a bathroom makeover is to make sure that this is reflected in the finished product.
In addition, Shleigh emphasises the need of ensuring that any estimates you receive are from similarly positioned businesses. One builder might offer the cheapest quote, but they won’t do the whole job for you. Furthermore, she warns against the perils of a fixation on strict deadlines. Find the best people to work on the project and don’t rush the process.
Don’t – Compromise The Materials’ Quality.
The bathroom fixtures and furnishings you choose should be sturdy enough to endure the everyday wear and tear that will inevitably occur. Low-quality items used in hot, stuffy areas like restrooms may wear out quickly under the conditions.
If you want to avoid spending a lot of money in the future to replace a poorer quality product, Ashleigh advises spending a little more now on better quality fixtures and fittings.
Don’t – Forget Storage.
Everyone wants a sleek and modern bathroom, but it’s important to strike a balance between form and function when designing one. Ashleigh warns against making the common mistake of prioritising expensive fixtures and fittings without allocating enough money for sufficient drawer space in the vanity.
Seven Good Ideas
You want your home improvement project to not only improve the quality of your living space but also raise the value of your home and cut your utility bills, such as those for electricity and water. If you stick to these seven guidelines, you can benefit from cutting-edge design methods, tools, and supplies.
Budget For The Unexpected
It’s not uncommon for bathrooms to suffer from hidden water damage due to issues like a leaking shower pan or a constantly running toilet. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania cabinetmaker, “If indeed the floor feels spongy, that’s a symptom of major water damage.” Other issues, like a vent stack located within a wall you were planning on demolishing, are also very well camouflaged.
Experienced contractors know the importance of starting the job off well by conducting exploratory work early on to find as many potential issues as possible. Petrie says, “we will examine above the bathroom to observe the pipe coming up through the house” if it turns out that the vent stack is the cause of the issue. To be fair, contractors can’t see what’s behind walls, so you can’t count on them to spot every danger. This is why it’s so important to build a 10% to 15% safety nett into your budget. If everything works out as planned, you could end up with a big bonus.
Hide The Toilet
There is no need to shout about the fact that your master bathroom is both stylish and functional. This makes it prudent to tuck the fixture out of sight, perhaps in a separate “room within a room” or behind a partial wall. Create the desired separation with an armoire or dresser instead of spending money on framing a wall.
Use Appropriate Surfaces.
Your master bath’s surfaces have a far more important function than only to improve the room’s aesthetics. They are also subjected to a considerable lot of maltreatment. Porcelain tile is a popular option for interior designers since it can be used on both floors and walls. There are other choices available in the area of $5 per square foot that give the appearance of natural stone. The amount of grout between tiles can be reduced by using larger tiles, making cleaning considerably easier. For the flooring, 18-by-18-inch tiles could be used, while 12-by-12-inch tiles could be used on some or all walls, and a glass mosaic transition strip might be used to smooth the change to 6-by-6-inch diagonal tiles.
Porcelain is another common material for bathroom sinks, despite being easily damaged in our tests. In particular, enamel-on-steel sinks were long-lasting and resistant to stains, and were also stainless-steel sinks, which are increasingly popular for new bathroom installations. Solid-surface sinks are also a long-lasting option because the basin can blend in with the vanity top and, if so chosen the cove or backsplash behind it.
Stones like granite and quartz aren’t only for kitchen countertops anymore; they’ve made their way into bathrooms, too, where they provide the same durability and aesthetic appeal. Though readily scratched, laminate and solid surfaces continue to see widespread use as viable, cost-effective alternatives.
Spend More On The Shower
Once used exclusively by Roman emperors, the era of the imperial bathtub is over. After a certain point, people realised that they could count the times they used the bathtub on one hand. We are now utilising this formerly unused area to build bigger showers, complete with body sprays, dual shower heads, and even steam generators.
You’ll need a shower cubicle that’s 4 feet wide and 6 feet long if you want to indulge in a luxurious soak like this. Compared to the standard 3-by-3-foot box, this one is a lot roomier. Expanding the shower area to at least five by seven feet may make the door superfluous.
This is because the angle at which the shower head or heads are installed can be adjusted to ensure that the spray stays within the shower (an L-shaped design is helpful). If you were considering the more expensive option of a frameless door installation, this is a huge money saver. Note that you shouldn’t get rid of the bathtub if there are no other bathrooms in the house that also contain bathtubs.
Think About Water Efficiency
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) voluntary WaterSense programme has led to the development of more water-efficient fixtures such as showerheads, toilets, and faucets in recent years (EPA). Products that are 20 percent more water efficient than federally required criteria will be labelled as part of this initiative. There are shower heads that meet the 2.5 gallons per minute flow rate requirement while still providing a pleasant pulse. In today’s modern world, even a rain shower head can be designed with a low-flow rating, as stated by Petrie.
Recent iterations of our Toilet Ratings have highlighted an increasing trend towards 1.28-gallon-per-flush toilets that are WaterSense-certified. The EPA estimates that a typical household of four may save over $100 annually and 16,000 gallons of water by upgrading to newer, more water-efficient toilets. Installing an aerator-equipped sink in the lavatory can reduce the amount of water wasted in the sink by at least 30 percent. At HP Constructions, we have the best home constructions selection to make your house a dream come true.
Make A Space On The Vanity.
Since grooming is the primary reason for using the vanity, it’s important to have a lot of space for your belongings. While a his-and-hers sink configuration may have been trendy a few decades ago, today’s homeowners would likely prefer a single large basin and additional counter space.
Getting a vanity with just one sink can let you make better use of your counter space without breaking the bank by installing a second sink and faucet. More room can be made available in the vanity’s drawers by disconnecting a cluster of pipes.
Provide Enough Light And Ventilation
Wetness promotes the growth of mould and mildew, and it also speeds up the deterioration of painted and finished surfaces. A toilet exhaust fan is the most potent weapon. The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends installing a ducted system with a capacity of at least 50 cubic feet per minute; however, if the area is greater than 100 square feet or if you plan to instal a steam shower, you may need twice as much ventilation. Invest in a gadget that can tell how much moisture is already in the air, and it will either switch on or off as needed.
When it comes to the lights, the goal is to fill the room with a wide range of intensity levels. The area will be brightly lit by a chandelier hanging from the ceiling, but your face will be in shadow as you apply makeup at the vanity. Since this is the case, installing sconces or another type of vertical fixture on either side of the vanity is a must. Some of the available medicine cabinets feature built-in vertical lighting strips.
A recessed canister lamp or similar specialised work lighting should also be installed in the shower and toilet for the same reasons. LED bulbs should be considered for use in existing light fixtures. Many of the bulbs we tested produced strong, uniform light, and some even claimed to last for up to 50,000 hours. The cost is higher for these bulbs, though. Remember to put in dimmer switches for the lights so that the level of illumination can be changed to suit the mood or the demands of the task at hand.
Seven Costly Mistakes
If you’re planning an expensive renovation, it will save you a lot of money to avoid making these seven mistakes. If you do this, the final product’s usability, aesthetic quality, and efficiency will all likely increase as well.
Do Not Rush The Process.
Given that you have finally decided to rebuild your bathroom, you likely want to see its completion as soon as feasible. But poor planning is by far the biggest reason why many projects go over budget.
Planning your bathroom remodel could take anything from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the size and complexity of the job. Think about creating a Pinterest account if you don’t already have one. You can use the features of this site to keep a digital ideas file, in which you can save photos that inspire you from the internet, such as examples of tiles you like, your favourite fittings, and ingenious design ideas.
While designing the room’s layout, consider how you can accommodate the main plumbing lines in their current places. Relocating a 3-inch drain line when relocating a toilet from one wall to another in a house might add up to a large sum. If you can maintain the bathroom fixtures where they are now, including the toilet, shower, and sink, you’ll have a large amount of money saved for the renovation.
Don’t Skimp On Skilled Labour.
DIY projects can be a good way to cut costs, but to reap the most financial benefits, you should give your complete attention to getting things up and running. The demolition phase is where the do-it-yourselfer should take charge of activities like removing the old bathtub and bringing in the finished paint job. You should hire professionals to handle the most complicated installations, and you should make sure those professionals have plenty of relevant experience.
Since a typical bathroom makeover requires the services of numerous specialists, including but not limited to tile setters, plumbers, cabinet installers, electricians, and many more, it is in your best interest to look for a reliable general contractor. You should do this since finding a good general contractor is beneficial to you.
You should receive bids from at least three different contractors, and your best shot in finding them is to ask friends and family for referrals. Verify the worker’s compensation coverage and validity of the licence. If you do decide to hire them, check that they are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Additionally, the contract should have a detailed description of all products, including the model number and the finish. Similarly, you shouldn’t feel compelled to choose the cheapest offer on the table.
Do Not Cut Corners On Important Materials.
One other common mistake is going with the cheaper option when it comes to the things that you use the most. All faucets, barring the cheapest ones, now come with lifetime guarantees that include coverage for leaks and stains. While we were unable to scratch PVD (physical vapour deposition) finishes, it is possible that drain cleaners could leave a faint stain. Similarly, chrome performed well in our durability testing; nevertheless, it can be scratched by scraping it with a scouring pad meant for very arduous cleaning tasks.
You physically interact with tile every day, just like many other materials. Tiles at the super low end of the market may have tiny variances in size, even if you may get decent selections for $5 per square foot. For $5 per square foot, you can find acceptable alternatives. The resulting skewed look will make the bathroom look like it was badly planned.
Is there a place where you can save costs? Most light fixtures’ performance is roughly equivalent, with the main price variation coming from elaborate design. As an added bonus, you might save hundreds of dollars by opting for a more basic finish on your faucets and fixtures. A luxury toilet with features like the $6,390 Numi’s motion-activated lid and built-in bidet is not necessary. There’s no denying that these high-end models have some cool extras, but our study discovered that even $300 toilets may accomplish the most effective flush.
Do Not Stop Thinking About Tomorrow.
Even if you’re in perfect health now, the future could bring any number of unexpected challenges. Conversely, by following the principles of universal design, you may make sure that your bathroom is usable by people of varying abilities (i.e. ageing in place).
In addition, you won’t have to worry about coming off as sickly or clinical. The typical bathroom arrangement currently includes many features of universal design. For instance, today’s standard-sized shower enclosures can be used by anyone, regardless of mobility or age, so long as they have a low entry threshold and a bench installed. Installing grab bars in the bathroom, especially the shower, is yet another choice.
Comfort-height toilets, so called because they are simpler to get on and off of, have become as ubiquitous as standard-height toilets. Many grab bars now have a design that is consistent with other bathroom fixtures, such as towel bars. And they’re not just for the elderly. To help the elderly, the young, and the pregnant get in and out of the tub with ease, grab bars are installed.
Blocking in the walls for prospective support bars is an excellent example of a component of universal design that can be installed even if you can’t incorporate the rest of it into the bathroom at this time. So that you can find the blocking when the time comes, have your contractor sketch a picture of the wall for you.
Don’t Forget To Consider Water Use.
Selecting models that have been approved by the WaterSense programme means that you are getting more water-efficient fixtures for your bathroom. However, there has been a recent shift towards more luxurious shower designs, with each partner having their own “shower tower” that typically includes numerous showerheads and body sprays. This trend likely contributes to an increase in water and energy consumption. It also suggests that you may need to upgrade the plumbing and drain lines in your bathroom.
You may need to change your water heater from a type that can hold 50 gallons per day to one that can hold 80 gallons per day if you have a lot of water-hungry fixtures. If you want to acquire a hybrid water heater that is both efficient and cost-effective, you should set aside close to two thousand dollars in your budget.
Do Not Buy Products Online If You Have Not Seen Them In Person.
The Internet is a fantastic resource for learning about products and finding design ideas. However, the materials and finishes may look different on your screen than in reality. Your blue-grey quartz vanity top may look more blue in reality, or the light fixtures that seemed subtle in the photos may end up being too much in the real thing.
To this end, it is strongly recommended that you visit a design centre or showroom before making a final purchasing decision. While you’re there, try haggling to see if the showroom would match or perhaps beat the price you found online. Planning for a new look for your house? Look no further! Hitch Property Constructions is here to help in your home renovations.
Remember To Include Storage.
Running out of the bathroom after a shower to the linen closet in the hall to grab a towel will get old and cold fast. To have a closet specifically designed for the bathroom’s necessities is ideal, but an armoire or even a simple chest would suffice in a pinch. Also, even in the modern era, a medicine cabinet is still the finest place to keep an assortment of first aid and health-care items.
Because bathrooms are so integral to daily life, you’ll want to update them efficiently and with minimal disruption to your life at home. Inexpensive mistakes are possible but very undesirable.
Conclusion
Bathroom renovations need time and money, regardless of size. Renovations cause stress and clutter, and unexpected issues can make small issues appear huge. Before remodelling your bathroom, evaluate your finances and needs. Save 5% of your income for emergencies. For example, save money on fixtures and fittings if you need more vanity drawer space.
Bathrooms often suffer concealed water damage from leaking shower pans or running toilets. Interior decorators use porcelain tile on walls and floors because of its adaptability. Larger tiles reduce grout, simplifying cleaning. Solid-surface sinks can match the vanity top, cove, and backsplash, making them attractive and functional. According to the EPA, WaterSense toilets can save over $100 and 16,000 gallons of water for a family of four.
A single-sink vanity costs less and maximises counter space. Buy a device that detects room humidity and activates or deactivates itself. LED bulbs can replace incandescent bulbs in lighting systems. DIY projects can save money, but getting things up and running will give you the best ROI. For example, DIYers should remove the bathtub and finish painting during demolition.
Today’s faucets all have lifetime leak, and stain warranties save the cheapest. The $6,390 Numi bidet toilet is superfluous. Bathroom grab bars are another option. You can add grab bars to the bathroom even if you can’t apply a universal design. To acquire an effective and economical hybrid water heater, you must save up to $2,000. Toiletries need a cabinet. An old-fashioned medicine chest is still the finest place to store bandages, medicines, and other medical supplies.
Content Summary
- If you’re ready to redesign your bathroom but need guidance on how to do it properly, we’re here to help.
- Follow the tips in this post as a roadmap to a successful renovation that will yield the desired results.
- Get motivated to work on your project by searching for design ideas online.
- Any home renovation project that yields positive results must begin with a well-thought-out strategy.
- First, write down all the different bathroom design concepts you have after considering what you want to achieve with the redesign.
- To be prepared for unforeseen expenses, it is wise to set aside five per cent of your budget as a safety net.
- One of the most important things to do before beginning your renovation is to consult the pros and discuss your budget, lifestyle requirements, and ideas in depth.
- If you want to avoid spending a lot of money in the future to replace a poorer-quality product, Ashleigh advises spending a little more now on better-quality fixtures and fittings.
- Ashleigh warns against the common mistake of prioritising expensive fixtures and fittings without allocating enough money for sufficient drawer space in the vanity.
- You want your home improvement project to not only improve the quality of your living space but also raise the value of your home and cut your utility bills, such as those for electricity and water.
- It’s not uncommon for bathrooms to suffer hidden water damage due to issues like a leaking shower pan or a constantly running toilet.
- Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania cabinetmaker, “If the floor feels spongy, that’s a symptom of major water damage.”
- Other issues, like a vent stack within a wall you planned to demolish, are also very well hidden.
- There is no need to shout about the fact that your main bathroom is both stylish and functional.
- Your master bath’s surfaces have a far more important function than only improving the room’s aesthetics.
- Once used exclusively by Roman emperors, the era of the imperial bathtub is over.
- We are now utilising this formerly unused area to build bigger showers, complete with body sprays, dual shower heads, and even steam generators.
- Expanding the shower area to at least five by seven feet may make the door superfluous.
- Note that you shouldn’t get rid of the bathtub if there are no other bathrooms in the house that also contain bathtubs.
- In recent years, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) voluntary WaterSense programme has led to the development of more water-efficient fixtures such as showerheads, toilets, and faucets (EPA).
- Since grooming is the primary reason for using the vanity, it’s important to have a lot of space for your belongings.
- Getting a vanity with just one sink can let you better use your counter space without breaking the bank by installing a second sink and faucet.
- When it comes to the lights, the goal is to fill the room with a wide range of intensity levels.
- Since this is the case, installing sconces or another vertical fixture on either side of the vanity is necessary.
- A recessed canister lamp or similar specialised work lighting should also be installed in the shower and toilet for the same reasons.
- Given that you have finally decided to rebuild your bathroom, you likely want to see its completion as soon as feasible.
- Planning your bathroom remodel could take anything from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the size and complexity of the job.
- If you can maintain the bathroom fixtures where they are now, including the toilet, shower, and sink, you’ll have a large amount of money saved for the renovation.
- It would be best to do this since finding a good general contractor benefits you.
- Another common mistake is going with the cheaper option when it comes to the things you use the most.
- All faucets, barring the cheapest ones, now come with lifetime guarantees, including coverage for leaks and stains.
- As a bonus, you might save hundreds of dollars by opting for a more basic finish on your faucets and fixtures.
- Conversely, by following universal design principles, you may ensure that your bathroom is usable by people of varying abilities (i.e., ageing in place).
- The typical bathroom arrangement currently includes many features of universal design.
- To help the elderly, the young, and the pregnant get in and out of the tub with ease, grab bars are installed.
- Blocking in the walls for prospective support bars is an excellent example of a component of universal design that can be installed even if you can’t incorporate the rest of it into the bathroom at this time.
- It also suggests that you may need to upgrade your bathroom’s plumbing and drain lines.
- You may need to change your water heater from one that can hold 50 gallons per day to one that can hold 80 gallons per day if you have a lot of water-hungry fixtures.
- If you want to acquire a hybrid water heater that is both efficient and cost-effective, you should set aside close to two thousand dollars in your budget.
- The Internet is a fantastic resource for learning about products and finding design ideas.
- To this end, it is strongly recommended that you visit a design centre or showroom before making a final purchasing decision.
- While you’re there, try haggling to see if the showroom would match or perhaps beat the price you found online.
- A closet designed for the bathroom’s necessities is ideal, but an armoire or even a simple chest would suffice in a pinch.
FAQs About Bathroom Renovation
What Can Go Wrong With Bathroom Renovation?
Errors like wet room spaces being too small to contain the water, incorrect spacing between the furniture to allow movement, or even just the poor positioning of a towel rail are examples of these types of mistakes.
What Is the Order of a Bathroom Renovation?
In an ideal scenario, you should start by draining the toilet, and only after that should you remove it; this will help you avoid any unwanted water spills or problems with the plumbing. After that, if necessary, remove the bathtub tile before removing the bathtub itself. Cabinets, vanities, mirrors, and tiles both on the walls and the floors are the last of the fixtures to be removed.
What Comes First Tiling or Plumbing?
Always tile the floor first if you want to achieve a high-quality finish that also provides a better barrier against water damage. This recommendation comes unanimously from the bathroom fitters.
Should I Replace My Toilet During a Remodel?
It is highly recommended that you replace the toilet whenever you are doing any kind of home remodelling or redecorating. Because there is such a wide variety of options, the toilet in your home can actually contribute to the overall design and aesthetic of the space.
Does Flooring Go Under Toilet?
If you are installing a new floor, pedestal sink, and toilet, you should instal the laminate flooring first so that it is under the sink and toilet when you are finished. If you are installing a new floor, pedestal sink, and toilet. Because it is installed directly on top of the underlayment and floats above the subfloor, laminate flooring is subject to the same temperature and humidity fluctuations as the surrounding environment.
