Shifted to a new place and can’t stand the bathroom design?
Or do you feel like it’s time to revamp the old one in your current home?
Whichever the case, don’t just get started haphazardly.
There is a lot of planning that goes into even a small bathroom remodel.
We’ve put together a quick list for you of what we believe are some must-know tips if you plan on renovating your bathroom.
1.Get your inspiration first
Don’t go into this with just a vague picture in mind.
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You should be crystal clear about what you want, and how you want it. The best way to know if an idea will look good is to see that it looks good.
So just pop onto sites where you can get tons of ideas in pictures.
These can be social media sites like Pinterest and Instagram (especially Pinterest because there is no better hub for design, art, architecture and DIY inspiration) or specially created home design apps and websites like Houzz!
Get onto these sites, look up the millions and millions of amazing ideas for bathroom designs, and pin the ones you like best. If you’re on a smaller budget, then look up “budget friendly” ideas.
Once you know exactly what you want, then you can move to step two.
2. Plan, plan, plan
You need to plan everything from the design to the equipment, materials, and how much you will be spending on each and every detail.
It’s best to keep aside 10-20% of your budget to cover unexpected costs during the remodeling because some additional things just do pop up in runtime.
If you are on a very tight budget, it is even possible to remodel your bathroom within $5000, but more expensive remodels can go up to $25,000 too.
It’s best to keep a balance though, and not splurge on everything.
Then there’s a lot more to decide like the theme, the plumbing, the kind of flooring, the lighting, the vanity, whether to have a bath tub or a shower (or both!), the heating, space, and then the exact furniture and equipment you’ll need for all these and where you will buy it! Lastly, you’ll need to decide a good contractor to do the job.
We’ll cover some of these planning essentials in detail next.
3. Plumbing- fix the trouble of clogged drains!
Standard plumbing uses one-and-a-half-inch pipes, but you should consider upgrading to a two-inch one.
The cost difference is not too much but it will make a huge difference in how quickly your drain gets clogged (a lot of hair and product goes down that hole)!
The route of your plumbing is also important to consider, especially if you live somewhere that experiences extreme temperatures. Then you’ll want to ensure that all plumbing is routed through the inside of your home.
4. Rethink that bathtub
In choosing whether to keep a tub in your bathroom, don’t just do it for the look of it. If you don’t take baths often or at all, then you can skip the tub, making your bathroom look more spacious and sleek.
Instead, invest in a good walk-in shower a.k.a. wet room.
5. Ventilation is a must
The importance of good ventilation can’t be stressed enough. Proper passageway of air through your bathroom is needed to make sure it’s not sticky and humid in there. If the moisture lingers, that will lead to growth of mold in those damp areas.
Having more than one source of ventilation is a great idea.
A vent or exhaust is a must, and you should also invest in a good quality, low-noise fan to improve air circulation.
You can even consider adding a window, but the location for a window is critical so that it does not intrude on your privacy.
6. Proper lighting matters
The worst put off in a bathroom is probably bad lighting, especially near the vanity. The bathroom should be bright and well lit. People usually prefer neutral colors in bathrooms because it really allows the light to bounce in all directions.
You should install ample light fixtures around the ceiling as overhead lighting is the most important.
The vanity lighting must be just right- for that you can consider installing LED recessed lights around the mirror so that the light comes from the front and not just from above you.
A window is also a nice consideration that will really light up your bathroom naturally during the day.
But again, only if your bathroom layout allows for one without hampering your privacy.
Lighting matters because whether shaving, doing makeup or any other self-care routine, the bathroom is the place where you want to be able to see what you’re doing clearly, and up close!
7. Plan niches for storage
Storage is something you should not overlook in a bathroom setting at all. Plan this out. Consider making proper niches and slots for your different toiletries and towels etc. in the walls themselves.
Use shelves, cabinets, drawers, whatever you need to keep everything tucked out of sight (except the most stylish accessories that you want to display).
We’d recommend using drawers instead of door cabinets, as they are easier to organize.
In short, your bathroom should look neat and minimal!
For furniture like shelves and cupboards, fitted furniture gives a better finish than standalone items. Standalone items are convenient to move around though.
Just make sure nothing looks obtrusive, “in-the-way”, or out of place. It should all blend in and fit seamlessly.
8. Make a small space feel bigger
If your bathroom is on the smaller side, you should consider keeping furniture and decoration pieces very limited.
And most of the sanitary ware and furniture should ideally be recessed or fitted, so that it doesn’t encroach too much on floor space- that will make your bathroom feel bigger.
Use light and neutral colors, make sure the lighting is spot-on and use mirrors! Oh yes, mirrors can make a small room feel so spacious- so use bigger mirrors!
Use compact, wall-mounted toilets instead of floor-mounted ones.
They take up less space, since the tank is completely concealed behind the wall!
9. Install multiple power outlets
Don’t skimp on the number of power outlets you install in your bathroom, especially if it is on the bigger side.
Install multiple and accessible power outlets around, because there are so many electrical appliances that we use in the bathroom nowadays. If nothing else, a charging spot for your mobile phone!
10. Do you need a heated floor?
Think about having a heated floor, especially if you live in a region where it gets really chilly in the winter. Invest in a good temperature control system with a programmable thermostat and a remote control.
11. Use the right materials
Do remember to check whether the materials you are using are fit for a bathroom environment because it is damp compared to the rest of the house.
Ensure that the quality of the wood and brassware you use isn’t one that will rot or get rusty. Similarly, ensure that the rugs and curtains that you use are not prone to attract fungus or get moldy.
And lastly, once you’ve considered all the above points, do hire a good contractor to do your remodeling.
Investing a little bit extra in better and more durable things is better than ending up with something you are not satisfied with or one that will end up needing another renovation soon!