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The Essential Guide to Remodeling a Bathroom for Any Budget

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The Essential Guide to Remodeling a Bathroom for Any Budget

Why Should You Renovate Your Bathroom?

The bathroom of your house is not only the place where you wash your body or brush your teeth.

Many people take long showers or baths after a stressful day at work. This helps them relax and rejuvenate.

Your bathroom is a place where you recharge your batteries and it’s vital to make this area of your house as comfortable as possible.

With that being said, there are other reasons why you should think about remodeling a bathroom:

  • Improve house aesthetics- a redesigned bathroom improves the curb appeal of your entire house and makes you feel better each time you visit it
  • Improve your comfort level- various bathroom improvements can definitely enhance your comfort level such as floor heating, a larger bathtub, etc.
  • Increase home value - any bathroom improvements you make will reflect in the total value of your house, so your investment is protected

Practical Advice For Remodeling a Bathroom

There are numerous things you can do to transform a basic bathroom into a beautiful and elegant one. Here are a few ideas:

#1 - Add Skylights

Skylights are roof windows, They look exquisite, help with ventilation, and can even reduce your energy bill.

If your bathroom is situated on the uppermost floor, you can choose to install a few skylights and enjoy plenty of sunlight throughout the day.

Skylights can be programmed to be closed when rainfall is detected, so no raindrops will get into your bathroom. They might be equipped with electric motors to simplify the opening and closing process.

Just think how relaxing it will be to enjoy a warm bath while admiring the stars and the moon during the night!

#2 - Carefully Choose The Lighting Scheme

Lighting is very important in any bathroom. It makes this place more practical while adding character and personality.

There are several types of lights you can choose from - downlights, feature lights, task lights and/or night lights.

Downlights help in creating a pleasant atmosphere in your bathroom. They are usually positioned on walls and used to emphasize the towel hanger, etc.

Downlights aren’t very bright and they might have different color temperatures such as warm white (to create a more inviting and even romantic atmosphere) or cool white (if you want to go for a minimalist design).

Feature lights can also be used to create atmosphere. The most popular ones are LED light strips. These can be installed under cabinets or mirrors to create a pleasant ambient light.

Task lights can be mounted next to the mirror, casting a bright light on the sink. You can also add task lights in other areas in your bathroom such as above the towel radiator.

These lights have practical purposes and they help you find your way around the bathroom easier.

Nightlights are usually activated when sensors detect your presence. They help to reduce your electricity bill, are affordable, and should be installed in every bathroom.

#3 - Hide The Toilet

Simple bathroom remodel projects don’t usually involve changing the plumbing system.

However, if you want to go for a more complex renovation process, you should try to hide the toilet from view. This might involve changing the plumbing system.

Experts in bathroom remodeling projects recommend not to make the toilet the first thing you see when you enter the bathroom.

The central element of this room should be the vanity, a large framed mirror, or something similar.

#4 - Choose The Vanity Wisely

Speaking of the bathroom vanity, this element should be chosen with care.

Make sure it’s not too big to mess with traffic areas in your bathroom, but not too small to be impractical to use either.

Ideally, your vanity should be able to accommodate a medium-sized sink and still have plenty of counter space left for things like liquid soap, a toothbrush, etc.

If you have a really small bathroom, you might also want to consider installing a corner vanity with a small sink to save space.

#5 - Consider The Sink Height

The sink is frequently used by all family members in a household.

It’s a good idea to choose the sink carefully and make sure its height is appropriate. For example, most sink heights are between 29 and 36 inches.

It is recommended to choose something in between to make sure the height of the sink is comfortable for all family members to use. A very tall sink might force you to lift your hands too high when washing them and this can become annoying at some point.

#6 - Have More Ventilation Options

It’s expected for a bathroom to be a place with a lot of moisture.

However, too much moisture can lead to serious problems such as the accumulation of mold and mildew. This will deteriorate the aesthetics of your bathroom and might cause multiple respiratory problems.

To prevent that, you simply need to provide plenty of ventilation in your bathroom.

The best way to ventilate a bathroom is by using a window, but you should also install one or two fans. These will help eliminate steam quicker and prevent moisture-related problems.

Ideally, your fans should vent the air outside of your house, not in the attic. Venting in the attic will eventually cause mold and mildew problems here.

#7 - Use A White Color Scheme In Small Bathrooms

White and light colors tend to make a place appear bigger.

They are perfect for small bathrooms and you should use them for your next project.

Creamy-like nuances also go well in bathrooms and they give the impression of more space. Light colors will also give the impression of a very hygienic and safe place to be in, so you should use light yellow, light blue as well as light purple when redesigning your bathroom.

#8 - Consider Adding Large Mirrors

Another great way you can make your bathroom appear larger is by using big mirrors.

You can go for a large, rectangular framed mirror placed on top of your sink, but round mirrors are also trendy these days.

Another option would be to use multiple smaller mirrors in your bathroom to give the impression of more space. Having a few mirrors in your bathroom instead of a single one is also more practical.

#9 - Consider Glass Shower Panels

Homeowners who opt for shower enclosures might want to take into account the possibility of adding shower panels made from glass.

These will make your bathroom appear bigger while improving its aesthetics. Glass shower panels are made from tempered glass, so they will last for years to come. They are also easier to wash.

Another advantage of glass shower doors is the possibility to engrave them or use stained glass. Shower panels with floral ornaments are very popular and they add personality to any bathroom.

#10 - Have Plenty Of Storage Options

When remodeling a bathroom, you need to take into account the size of your family too.

If you have a large family, you must add multiple storage options to accommodate more towels, cosmetics, creams, lotions, shower gels, and other bathroom accessories.

When it comes to storage, you have a lot of options at your disposal such as corner shelf units, high cabinets, low cabinets, overhead cabinets, wall cabinets, etc.

If you want to save space, consider tall shelving units which can store plenty of personal belongings without occupying too much space in your bathroom.

How To Save Money When Remodeling Your Bathroom

It is normal to be interested in how to save money when renovating your house.

If you’re on a tight budget, a couple of tips and tricks can help you transform your bathroom without breaking the bank:

#1 - Opt For Affordable Flooring

The bathroom flooring is an important element which has both practical and decorative purposes.

Most homeowners go for tile flooring which is a great idea. Luxury alternatives include marble tiles, but if you’re looking to cut expenses, you should try vinyl flooring.

Vinyl is very popular, totally customizable, and highly durable. You can achieve a clean and modern look at an affordable price and completely change the interior decor of your bathroom.

Another option would be to go for waterproof wood flooring. Wood and moisture don’t mix well, so it’s imperative that you seal your wooden floors properly.

This option is a durable one and it will add character to your bathroom, making this room a more inviting and warm place.

#2 - Resurface Your Bathtub

Going for a brand new bathtub can cost you a couple of thousand dollars on average.

If you want to save money, you can keep the current bathtub, but give it a minor adjustment.

You can go for a bathtub resurfacing service which improves the looks of your bathtub and makes it look like brand new. This is much more affordable than buying a new bathtub and it can be done quicker.

The only drawback to bathtub resurfacing is that it's only a cosmetic update and is only a temporary fix. You'll still have the old, outdated or worn tub but only with a new coat of paint.

#3 - Don’t Deviate From Your Plan

It’s easy to get carried away and end up spending too much money when redesigning your bathroom.

Unplanned expenses along the way can easily mount up and this is not good for your overall finances.

To prevent that, make sure that you set a small portion of your budget for additional expenditures necessary along the way.

For example, you might need more tiles for your floor or more bathroom fixtures. You probably would also need more paint or you saw a beautiful corner shelving unit which fits your bathroom perfectly.

By securing a small sum of money (up to 10% of your total budget) for unplanned expenditures, you avoid excessive spending and stay on top of your bathroom remodeling project.

#4 - Don’t Change The Plumbing System

This is one of the best bathroom design tips you can follow.

Changing the plumbing system involves calling a plumber to redirect pipes and place them in a new location.

This is a complex and expensive task, not to mention that it can take a long time to complete.

Homeowners might need to change the plumbing system if they decide to move the bathtub from one area of the bathroom to the other, for example.

Similarly, relocating the toilet and sink also means redirecting the cold and hot water pipes. You’re basically changing the whole layout of the bathroom and this can be expensive.

On the other hand, you can simply preserve the current layout, but change the cabinets, vanity, toilet bowl, sink, light fixtures, and other elements in your bathroom. You’re not touching the plumbing system and this saves you thousands of dollars.

Start Renovating Your Bathroom Today

Remodeling a bathroom is a complex project, but you don’t have to do everything in one day.

Start by coming up with a rough idea on how your bathroom should look like. Read home improvement magazines and look at bathroom ideas online.

The second step is to come up with a budget and stick with it. Decide exactly how much you want to pay and for what products/services.

Lastly, find a good home remodeling contractor and put your plan into practice. A new bathroom will give you the feeling that you’re living in a brand new house!

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