15 Helpful Bathroom Remodeling Tips To Know Before Renovating
As a homeowner, you need to gather a lot of information about bathroom renovations if you are planning to undertake such a massive project. This knowledge enables you to make the right decisions about materials to buy, their cost, the labor required and overall budget. This information can help you estimate the amount of time is necessary for the remodeling process to be complete to avoid any inconveniences in your home.
Here are 15 bathroom remodeling tips you need to know:
1. Consider the bathroom remodeling cost
Before you commence the project; you need to have estimates of the total cost to avoid spending more than you planned or having to halt your project. The expenses of bathroom renovation can be determined by the size of your bathroom, the quality of materials you need to remodel the bathroom and labor. If you require the hiring of work, you can take into account the cost of hiring a handyman and vice versa. You can have basic, mid to upper range and luxurious bathroom remodels which will all have different prices.
2. Hide the toilet
It is advisable to avoid making your toilet the first thing to be seen when someone opens the door. This is because the bathroom door can be left open from time to time making your shower the first thing you or your guest will see. If you don’t have any ideas, you can inquire opinions and options from an experienced bathroom designer. You will have several options to choose from your expert.
3. Consider leaving vintage finishes intact
The main aim of a bathroom renovation is to make it look new and fresh. Hence, you are advised to avoid removing vintage finishes if they are going to cost you more in labor to avoid altering your planned budget. In some homes, wall tiles were installed with a wire lath or several coats of concrete, and if you are to remove them, you may end up requiring more time and money. However, if you are planning to transfer yours, consult a tile specialist.
4. Plan a lighting scheme
Involve a lighting designer to have your bathroom well-lit to maximize its space and make it beautiful. There are several bathroom lighting options, and you can choose depending on functionality, cost, preferences, and choice.
5. Understand standard bathroom dimensions
While researching about bathroom renovations, knowing about basic standard bathroom dimensions, e.g., the size of a standard bathtub, bathroom vanity, and space toilet can help you plan your renovation efficiently. You will need an understanding of the amount of space required and how much you will have left after the restoration.
6. Plan the right height for your sink
Although countertops range between 32 and 34 inches off the floor, you need to have the right height for your sink for easy brushing or washing your hands. You will, therefore, need to consider how the pan will vary from the counter’s top height to make the right decision. To make this decision, you will also need to find your height for easy accessibility.
7. Consider having a corner sink
If you have a small bathroom, you can have your tub in one of the corners to free up some space. The decision of putting your pan at an angle can also be determined by how your entry or shower doors swing open. The sink may be hindering natural movement in your bathroom and since you cannot remove the doors, moving the sink to a corner is the ideal choice.
8. Consider having a tiny tub
You can have a shower and a bathtub in your bathroom. However, if you have a small bathroom, you can get a small bath to economize in the available space. Due to most bathrooms being short, most companies have started manufacturing small bathtubs to meet the needs.
9. Choose the right vanity
Vanity is just for looks and hence you should be very cautious when choosing one. The size, type of material and cost should be your prime factors. A big one may limit your bathroom space while a small one may not meet your requirements. On the other hand, if you pick the wrong material, you may end up having maintenance issues in future. You should, therefore, make a sound decision, and if you don’t know how to do it, you can inquire help from an expert.
10. Get a few high-end materials
Although you want to be economical, spending on a few high-end materials and finishes can make your bathroom look luxurious. Therefore, in addition to primary and affordable materials, you can get the high-end floor and wall coverings to make your bathroom luxurious. You can also add some high-end countertops and bathroom ceiling to improve your bathroom experience.
11. Counter check your file size
Most tiles are sold using European sizes, i.e., millimeters, and the quoted size might include tile and grout while as a homeowner you are unaware. This can affect your plumbing, tile layout and niches because the tiles would not fit because the measurements are wrong. Before buying tiles, make sure that you have the correct measurements to avoid further inconveniences. Alternatively, you can take an expert with you to help you when purchasing.
12. Consider turning your bathtub into a shower
If you have a bathtub and you rarely take baths, you need to convert it into a shower to maximize your space. In fact, it is very cost effective because you won’t have to reroute your plumbing system. A shower economizes on the area, and if you have a small bathroom, it is the better option.
13. Install a toilet yourself
Most homeowners have experienced toilet problems and are usually encountered in installing toilet fixtures. Since installing toilet can increase the cost of bathroom remodeling, you can opt to do it yourself to cut the costs. It takes just an hour and involves necessary skills which most homeowners have acquired over the years.
14. Dry out your bathroom
Mold and mildew growth is facilitated by moisture. Hence, if you want to reduce mold and mildew growth in your bathroom, you need to dry your bathroom. You can promote moisture removal in your bathroom bay having operable windows and a fan. A bathroom window which can be opened and closed facilitates circulation of air and consequently reduce moisture (humidity) in the bathroom. On the other hand, a fan that vents to the outside and not to the attic will facilitate moisture removal.
15. Plan on how the hardwood meets your tile floor
Most likely, your bathroom will have a tile floor while the adjacent room or the hallway will have a different material, e.g., hardwood. You should, therefore, plan how these two elements will meet because their transition requires a lot of skills. As a homeowner, effective planning before the project starts will make your bathroom remodeling a success.
This post was written by Caliber West
Caliber West Renovations
Suite 600 – 1285 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V6H 3X8
(778) 785-7395
