TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL BATHROOM REMODEL
A well-planned and expertly completed bathroom remodel can turn a standard room into a space of pampered luxury. And while every project is different, there are several key ways to ensure you’re happy with your remodeling results, however simple or complicated your design might be. Follow these seven tips to build a solid starting point for your successful bathroom renovation.
1) Focus on Priorities
Few people are blessed with enough bathroom space — or budget — to include every possible feature in their remodel design. Before you get too deep into planning, decide which features are your main priorities, which are “nice to have,” and which items might be costly extras you won’t use in everyday life.
For example, do you want a whirlpool tub for luxuriously relaxing soaks or a large walk-in shower with power massage functions? Do you need a bathtub at all, or could you better use the space for an extended vanity or a double-sink setup? Deciding on your priorities at the beginning will give your remodel a firm foundation to build on without expensive distractions.
2) Consider Ventilation
The warm and humid conditions in a bathroom mean ventilation is essential to prevent mold, cabinet or furniture warping, and other problems which will degrade your decor over time. Plan for thorough ventilation from the start, whether it’s a simple extractor fan or a more complex air con system, as it’s much easier to build it in from the beginning than to solve an airflow problem later on.
3) Choose Your Flooring Carefully
Bathroom flooring has to cope with a unique range of challenges. It needs to be water resistant, durable, easy to clean, and also comfortable for bare feet to walk over. Considering the flooring material is important, as replacing a poor choice can take almost as much work as a complete remodel. There are four primary materials to consider:
• Hardwood: Attractive, highly durable, and easily cleaned, but expensive to install correctly and requires ongoing maintenance. Hardwood should only be used in powder rooms because of moisture from showers.
• LVP: It can look almost as good as wood or stone and is just as easy to clean. However, LVP needs expert installation to ensure it’s fully waterproof.
• Vinyl: Quick, easy, and inexpensive, but can lack the class and quality of higher-end materials can work well in secondary baths where budgets are tight.
• Stone or ceramic tiles: Great looks, durable, easy to clean, and luxurious. If you have the budget, stone or ceramic makes an ideal choice.Tile is wonderful and the most practical surface finish, but consider using underfloor heat to make it more palatable in the winter months.
4) Color Matters
It’s not difficult to find examples of colorful, eye-catching bathroom design online, but remember that your home isn’t the star of a home decor social media account. What looks like an intriguing bathroom color scheme on paper might not translate well into the real world, particularly for smaller spaces where vivid colors can quickly become overbearing.
Try to stick to light and airy colors wherever possible, with neutral tones being the most effective and spacious choice for the ceiling. And if you want to introduce a more imaginative shade for the walls, stick to pastels and other subtle hues to keep the feel as light and roomy as possible. You can add wallpaper, but make sure it is compatible with the humidity from a shower. Vinyl wallpaper can work well in those situations.
5) Importance of Lighting
Lighting can make or break a bathroom design, particularly in smaller spaces without much natural sunlight. Good lighting in a bathroom is crucial. Can lights should be behind you to avoid shadowing your face. Vanity lights should be centered on the sink and be similar in size to the mirror, if using individual mirrors. Vanity lights or sconces should blend with the general theme of the bathroom. Meaning if you have a traditional home, don’t add very contemporary light above the mirror. You want to have enough light to see all your imperfections, but not so much to make you look like you are in the spotlight. Using an Interior Designer or a Lighting Designer can help you to avoid those mistakes.
6) You’ll Never Have Too Much Storage
Even the most carefully designed and luxurious bathroom can become cluttered if there’s not enough storage space for toiletries, towels, and other everyday essentials. Right from the start of the planning stage, take every opportunity to add a little extra storage, whether it’s through wicker boxes on high shelves, mirrored cabinets rather than wall mirrors, or wall hooks for hanging more decorative items.
7) Luxury Extras
Lastly, the little luxury extras can turn a boring bathroom design into something exceptional. Build features such as heated towel racks, heated floors, a bidet with a heated seat or high-end faucets into your design from the outset, and the small differences can take your remodel to the next level of comfort and daily convenience. If your area is large enough, a wet room is an added luxury that creates a spa-like atmosphere with the ability to go from the bath to the shower easily without dripping across the entire bathroom floor.
A bathroom remodel is a significant investment in time, money, and aspiration; getting it right from the start is important. At CHI, we can help you put together a comprehensive plan to ensure your bathroom remodel lives up to your dreams. We can take it from dream to completion if you’re looking for a full renovation. Contact us for more information, or visit our interior design showroom in Bend, Oregon, to see how we can help move your next remodeling project forward to success.