5 IDEAS: 5 Things you Need to Know BEFORE you Remodel a Bathroom

“Find though she be little, she be fierce” – Shakespeare

Do not be fooled, although your bathroom may not be huge, a bathroom remodel is a big undertaking. Why? It just seems like a few fixtures, some tile and maybe a new light or two. Well although that seems like a short list it is not actually that accurate. Managing water in a home is one of the most challenging aspects of construction, stopping leaks, getting waste water out efficiently etc are all quite difficult, and in a bathroom that is used a lot for many years, making sure that happens correctly is directly related to how much you are going to enjoy the finished product. I have written in the past about Bathroom floors too, they are another area where good advice will really help avoid a world of pain later.

So like many projects, success depends on good planning, so here are 5 things you need to know before you remodel a Bathroom.

1. Get a Good Contractor

A jacuzzi tub is full of bubbles. The walls are tiled with tiny tiles that look sparkly.

This is not a job for you, unless you are a serious, experienced home remodeler. As the saying goes, you don’t know what you don’t know till you know it. This project can collapse causing you thousands of dollars of extra money if you mess up something, so spend the money and hire the best contractor you can find. For instance most homes have a 1 ½” drain which can be easily blocked with hair and gunk, changing to a 2” one is simple but is the sort of information the average person doesn’t know.

Make sure that you are all on the same page, this means having a clear and complete set of drawings, your selections all made and finish decisions done. Making changes during construction will cost more money and wouldn’t you rather spend that on great accessories?

2. The Budget will always be higher than you think

A tiled bathroom that opens up to the outside.

It never changes no matter what you think you are going to spend, it always creeps up a little higher. How do you battle this? With good planning, look at all your options and try to prioritize what is really important to you, and spend money there and pull back on what you think you won’t use so much.

For instance if you are not a big bathtub user, consider doing a larger shower instead, or perhaps not doing a jacuzzi tub that will never be used. Making decisions like this can really help with the cost of your bathroom remodel.

3. Getting the Lighting Right is not easy.

A free standing bathtub sits in an alcove with natural light coming through.

Lighting a bathroom, even a small one is challenging as there are so many use cases from soaking in the tub, reading on the toilet or putting makeup on, all which require a different lighting scenario.

Here is a basic layout that will help. Start with a central fixture in the middle of the ceiling (not a downlight), it will provide general lighting. Add two sconces placed on either side of the mirror (they will give good face lighting for makeup etc), and lastly consider putting a downlight (make sure it’s a waterproof one) in the shower, it's a nice touch and not expensive. Also use dimmers everywhere you can, it will allow you to adjust as necessary. You can add more lighting from here but this is a good place to start.

4. Storage is everything

A bathroom with natural wood cabinets and a large mirror with lighting on either side.

As much as it is fun to pick out fixtures and tile etc, some serious work has to be done to work out how much storage you need and where you will put it. The first step is to look at what you are storing now. If possible pull everything out and take a good hard look, we all start to hoard products we don’t really need, things that are worn out etc, get rid of all of this first so you are not tempted to bring that with you.

Then measure. How tall is your shampoo bottle? How do you store your makeup? All of these pieces of information will help you work out the storage needs and solutions in your new bathroom.

Now where to put everything. Start with a medicine cabinet, it is simple to install and if you cannot recess it into the wall then get a wall mounted one, consider one with an outlet inside too. Now the vanity is important , do you like things in drawers? How deep? Would you rather doors with shelves? Maybe consider pull out shelves. Don't forget towel storage: a hotel rack over the toilet can be a handy solution if you are short on space. Lastly, a niche in the shower is a must and something your contractor can make for you. It will keep your shower area tidy and organized (remember to measure your shampoo bottles).

5. Do you need to Remodel at all?

A bathroom in white with a stained glass window and plenty of storage.

I know this is a weird last idea, but it is worth considering. If you are just replacing fixtures in their current location etc maybe it’s worth exploring ways you can make your current bathroom fresh without a total remodel. Things like, changing the countertop (or for that matter the whole vanity). Regrouting tile can give a fresh look too, consider a bright white grout to make the tile pop or a deeper color to make it more dramatic. Then consider the walls, a change of color, or even wallpaper (I would suggest vinyl) will give your room an updated feel. All of these options are worth thinking about, especially if your budget is tight.

Of course the last thing I should mention is a good designer. No matter what your budget, scale of project or timeline is, a good designer (that’s me!) will be able to save you time, money and tears, so pick up the phone, give us a call and let's start creating your bath sanctuary.