Bathroom is the most personal room in one’s house, so there’s no doubt it should be designed according to the needs and desires of the members of household. If you’re living in an old house or if you have just moved into a new one where you couldn’t possibly have had a say in the design decision, you’ll probably want to remodel the bathroom to adapt it to your wishes and habits. Still, renewing the bathroom is much more than deciding and working – there are so many other considerations in between. Let us guide you through this mess, and help you consider all the important factors that will impact your remodeling success.
Set a Budget
Bathroom remodeling tends to be very pricy, so keep yourself from getting carried away with luxury materials and expensive fixtures by setting a budget. Sticking to that budget is very difficult, but you can do your research about the average prices, set a realistic budget and add a few dollars to the “pile”. Pinpoint the three most important things in this project (e.g. new tiles, bathtub, vanity), and buy them first, so you can be creative with the rest of the money.
The best plumbers will help you choose materials to suit your budget and taste.
Make It Functional
The reason why bathroom design is much more complicated than, let’s say, a living room, is because it requires taking into account pipe placement. Also, there’s the matter of height. Everything from the bathtub to the vanity should be installed in a way that fits an average person’s height.
Shower or a Tub?
This old dilemma is no longer solved the usual way – for a big bathroom you should chose a tub, and for a small one opt for the shower. With the variety being offered by the companies producing bathtubs and showers, you can choose from adorably tiny tubs or extravagantly large showers. Both of these can be further equipped with things like shower seat, grab bars, a niche in the wall, etc.
Choosing the Right Tile
Tile layout is one of the most important considerations in bathroom renovation. Everything must be well planned to achieve the finished look. Other things you have to think about are the materials and the style. Although natural stone looks nice, it’s a very high-maintenance material. It’s better to go for practically maintenance-free ceramic or porcelain tiles. As for the style, choose two neutral ones (floors and walls) and one show-stopper that will create a unique design appeal.
Spruce Up with the Vanity
The vanity is the item that gives character to your bathroom, so don’t be lazy when picking one out. If you have a shared bathroom and enough space, it’s best to decide for double vanities. You’ll get more storage space and fewer family arguments. Free-standing is the best for storage, but a corner-mounted is ideal for small bathrooms. To get the most out of vanity’s décor potential, you should customize it. You can decide for contemporary (simple and clean-lined), modern (streamlined with sharp angles), traditional (classic with detailed elements) or rustic (casual with raw materials). Choose mirror/mirrors and additional storage if you have it based on the overall style.
Lights Up
You’re almost done. You’re missing only the ambiance. Achieve that by introducing layers of ambient, accent, task and decorative lights. Task lights should be installed at the mirror, but avoid installing them right above it. Accent lighting is there to show off the best of your bathroom. Achieve it with directional lights which focus on artwork, flowers, etc. Add visual sparkle of decorative light with a single pendant lamp. Also try including as much natural light as you can, to save power during the day. Some scented candles won’t do any harm, either.
In the end, don’t be afraid to take a chance with the décor. Add some pieces that are not a part of a conventional bathroom – an ottoman, fresh flowers, artworks, a shaggy rug etc. You will turn your bathroom into an oasis, worthy of the most luxurious hotels.