Tips for a Successful Bathroom Remodel

A successful bathroom remodel involves careful planning, patience and creativity. It’s best to have a reliable bathroom contractor to give you bathroom renovation tips and answer any questions you may have throughout the process. Before investing in a bathroom remodeling contractor, it’s helpful to have some ideas of your own to know how you want your bathroom to look and function.

You’ll know when to renovate your bathroom when you notice leaking or other issues throughout the space or your decor elements and fixtures become outdated. Whether you’re going to do an upscale or budget-friendly bathroom renovation, any updates you make to this essential part of your home will increase its resale value and help you get the most from your property. Follow these bathroom remodeling tips to start transforming your living space today.

Budgeting Your Bathroom Remodeling Project

A complete bathroom remodel is a significant investment for your home that provides a boost in resale value. Figure out how much money you’re willing to spend on your renovation to get the benefits a brand-new bathroom will bring to your home. You should have a solid budget to know where your money is going and to spend it on what matters most to you.

Research how much it costs to remodel a bathroom in your local area and set a realistic budget based on the price of design, materials and labor. Choosing a remodeling contractor can help you stay on target with your budget, as they provide high-quality materials within your price point. It’s also best to work with a reliable contractor who gives you a fixed price instead of an estimate. As you figure out how to budget for a bathroom remodel, keep the following questions in mind:

• How much can you afford to spend? Be realistic about how much money to put toward your bathroom renovation project. Consider your options for paying cash or financing the project to make sure your new bathroom remains a valuable asset to your home instead of a financial burden over the years.
• Do you want to sell your house in the next few years? You may be planning to put your home on the market soon. In that case, you’ll need to think about what features will increase your home’s resale value. Even if you have a unique design style, you should focus on what potential homebuyers will enjoy. A bathroom remodel generally offers a significant return on investment (ROI) for your home, and choosing neutral colors and low-maintenance materials will attract a wider audience of buyers.
   
• What are the essential design elements of your new bathroom? Include features that enhance your lifestyle if you plan on staying in your home for a long time. Think about what you want in your new bathroom — a double vanity, a walk-in shower or a whirlpool bathtub. By developing a budget based on your personal preferences, you can set money aside for what matters to you and save money elsewhere in your design.
• Do you want to change your bathroom’s layout? Updating your bathroom’s floor plan comes with a hefty price tag. Since a bathroom renovation should last at least a decade after completion, you should choose a bathroom layout you’ll be happy with for a long time before you need to renovate it again. Think about whether you need to change the plumbing or knock down a wall or if you can get away with keeping the same layout.

Choosing a Bathroom Type

After you’ve figured out your budget for your new bathroom, think about what fixtures you want to include in the design. Most bathrooms have a toilet, tub, shower and sink, but if you have limited space or are designing a guest bathroom, a sink and toilet or a small shower would work well. Explore the following types of bathrooms:

• Full bathroom: A full bathroom comes with standard fixtures and either a side or center layout. A side layout includes the tub or shower, sink and toilet installed along one wall. A center layout has the toilet and sink along a shared wall and the tub or shower along another wall. A center layout allows you to access the different parts of your bathroom more conveniently.
• Three-quarter bathroom: A three-quarter bathroom also has a shower, sink or vanity and a toilet, but it tends to be slightly smaller than a full bathroom. To make the best use of the space, you may also want to include some storage, like mounted shelves or cabinetry.
• Half bathroom: Also known as a powder room or utility bathroom, a half bathroom only has a toilet and sink. Design your layout with both fixtures along the same wall or one fixture each on a separate wall.
• Quarter bathroom: A quarter bathroom, or utility shower, only has a toilet or a shower stall. You may want to build this type of bathroom if you need to let someone wash up in your basement or garage so they don’t have to enter your home.
• Master bathroom: A master bathroom is usually a private bathroom attached to the master bedroom with an en suite design. As the biggest bathroom in the house, it may also be called the primary bathroom. It typically has many elements that allow the homeowners to relax and conveniently get ready, such as linen storage, a sauna or steam shower, double vanities with two sinks, a semi-enclosed toilet and a whirlpool tub.
• Jack-and-Jill bathroom: A Jack-and-Jill bathroom between two bedrooms has two doors, allowing entrance from either bedroom. It has one or two sinks, a toilet and a tub or shower.
• Split-entry bathroom: A split bathroom features two separate areas, one for the sink and the other for the toilet and bathtub. This layout works if people will share the space because they can still maintain a level of privacy.
• Corner shower bathroom: A corner shower bathroom is typically part of a guest room. Put a shower stall in the corner of the room if you’re tight on space, or install it in the center of the room to make it more usable.
• Accessible residential bathroom: You may want to put a wheelchair-accessible bathroom in your home to provide enough space for a person in a wheelchair to move freely around the room.

Determining Your Bathroom Layout

Once you know whether you want a shower or tub or even just a toilet and sink in the bathroom, the next step is to plan the overall layout. Consider the size and shape of the space where you’ve designated your bathroom and make a plan for the best use of the square footage. It’s important to figure out where you want all your fixtures to go before deciding on the aesthetic details.

Your best option is to keep the toilet, tub, shower and sink where they are if you’re happy with the layout. Using the same floor plan can save you money overall, so you don’t need to change it if it works for you. Rearranging a bathroom’s walls, plumbing and electrical systems can add a lot of expenses to your overall bathroom renovation costs.

On the other hand, you may want to rearrange your bathroom’s layout if you need more space or are converting it to a different type of bathroom. Work with a professional bathroom renovation contractor to create a floor plan that works for you and your lifestyle. Keep in mind that a bathroom with more space gives you more flexibility with where to put all the fixtures and fittings.

Choosing Durable Bathroom Flooring

A high-traffic, humid area such as the bathroom needs durable, low-maintenance flooring to save you money and time in cleaning over the years. The floor material you select for your living space should also be comfortable after getting out of the shower. Since potential homebuyers appreciate flooring that doesn’t need special care, easy-to-clean floors will increase your home’s resale value in the future.

Even though durability is an essential factor of bathroom flooring, it’s also necessary to think of style and aesthetics. Low-maintenance options, such as porcelain or ceramic tile, can resemble natural wood or stone at a fraction of the cost. Tile made from these materials can withstand high levels of moisture and humidity, and it comes in various color and texture options.

Along with the flooring material itself, you may also want to install a heated floor under the tiles for enhanced comfort after taking a bath or shower. This type of flooring uses a radiant heat system that feels warmer than blown air from an HVAC system. Even though this option comes with a high upfront cost, it allows you to be comfortable and use your thermostat less throughout the year. Discuss your options with a professional bathroom renovation contractor.

Deciding on the Right Bathroom Lighting

When designing a new bathroom, you’ll also need to use natural and artificial lighting. Your bathroom’s light affects how you look in the mirror and how well you see yourself as you get ready. Explore the following options for bathroom lighting.

1. Natural Lighting

Natural lighting involves bringing sunlight into a room through carefully placed windows and mirrors. Make your bathroom feel brighter by using plenty of windows and even a skylight in its design. Consider a tubular skylight that pulls sunlight through a tube in the roof if you can’t use a traditional skylight. 

Choose from many glass options for your windows to get the privacy you need in the bathroom. You may also want to use a mirror to bounce natural light from the windows throughout the room to make the space feel bigger.

2. Artificial Lighting

Even though natural light provides excellent benefits for your home, you’ll need artificial lighting fixtures to bring light into your space when sunlight isn’t available. Have layers of light throughout your bathroom to use throughout the day. LED lighting is an energy-efficient option that lasts a long time and can help you save money on your energy bills. These bulbs come in different colors and are safe to use around water.

Recessed LEDs on a dimmer switch are excellent for ambient lighting, but you may want to balance these strong lights with soft lighting on top of the vanity. A subtle lighting fixture over the vanity balances out the cast shadows from the overhead lights. For a modern bathroom, install a sleek vanity with built-in lighting. You may also want to include lighting on top of the tub or shower, especially if you enjoy reading while taking a bath.

Adding Extra Bathroom Remodel Features

After you’ve gathered information about the essential elements of your bathroom, consider the finishing touches you want to put on this new part of your home. The design elements you choose should reflect the bathroom’s overall style. A modern bathroom may have smart features or clean lines, while a traditional one may have fun patterns and neutral tones. It’s also helpful to use some design tricks to make a small bathroom feel bigger.

Check out some of these ideas to add your personal style to your bathroom:

• Be creative with your vanity: Vanities come in many shapes, sizes and colors to enhance your bathroom’s aesthetic and function. Consider hanging your vanity from the wall to let the floor run underneath. Dress it up with a vessel sink for a stunning visual appeal. However, you may want to avoid using a vanity if you don’t need the storage space. Instead, you can mount the sink to the wall or use a pedestal sink.
• Use empty space for storage: Make the most of any storage space you may have in your bathroom, especially if you have a small room. Look for blank spaces on your walls where you can include cubbies, shelves and cabinetry. If you’re looking for something a little more flexible, you can also get baskets and racks to put above the toilet, on the floor or in your cubbies.
• Install new hardware: Your bathroom’s hardware includes the finishing touches on your shower or tub and doors. Consider using matte black hardware to add textural interest to a neutral bathroom and make it appear more modern. You could also use brass or bronze hardware for a traditional look, or select a bold color that highlights your unique design preferences.

Remember to keep everything simple to provide clean, aesthetically pleasing lines, especially if you’re thinking about selling your home in the next few years. Since your bathroom should be a relaxing oasis, every detail should make you feel calm and peaceful.

Contact Us for More Tips for a Successful Bathroom Renovation

At Limitless Renovations, we offer bathroom remodel advice to help with every aspect of your bathroom renovation. Since we know you want a bathroom you’ll love for a long time, we help you navigate all the details involved in the remodeling process. As experienced professionals in the industry, we know what it takes to make your bathroom look and function according to your budget and lifestyle needs. 

We’re here to answer any questions you may have about the process, including providing more information about our bathroom renovation tips. Reach out to us online or call 404-369-0098 to get started.