As one of the most-used parts of the home, it’s only natural that you would want your bathroom to provide the perfect blend of style and functionality. Of course, most homeowners don’t have their dream bathroom right from the get-go. For many, a bathroom remodel will be necessary to create the desired environment.
Here at Kitchen & Bath Authority, we understand that each person (and home) is unique. No two bathroom remodels will be exactly alike. However, there is no denying that there are a few key principles that are essential for a successful result with any remodeling project.
By accounting for how you will use your bathroom on a day to day basis, as well as the items that affect the cost and scope of the project, you will be able to achieve an outcome that you love. Here is a closer look at the factors you will need to consider when planning for a bathroom remodel.
1. Set Your Budget
According to HomeAdvisor, it costs an average of $10,369 to remodel a bathroom. There are several factors that can raise or lower this total, including the size of the bathroom, the materials used, and the contractors who are involved in the actual labor.
Because a bathroom remodel is such a big investment, it is essential that you establish a budget before you start shopping around for materials and contractors. Know how much you can afford, including whether you will need to obtain financing for the remodel.
What is most important is ensuring that your remodeling project won’t negatively impact your ability to manage other financial responsibilities. Take a look at your bank account and monthly budget to determine how much you can afford to spend.
If your budget seems tighter than you’d like, don’t worry! We offer significant discounts off MSRP for several bathroom products to help you stretch your budget further. Many homeowners also achieve their desired remodeling outcomes more gradually by performing partial renovations. For example, you could replace your vanity now, and upgrade your shower enclosure at a future date to spread out the costs.
Even if money is tight, it’s always better to pay a little more for a quality product. Bathroom products from reputable manufacturers tend to have better warranty coverage and are less likely to experience defects, helping you save on future repair or replacement costs.
2. Who Will Be Using the Bathroom?
This is one of the most important elements to consider before you start making other remodeling decisions. After all, the way you use the master suite will be significantly different from how a smaller guest bathroom or a child’s bathroom would be used.
For example, when remodeling a bathroom that will be used by your children, it may be beneficial to choose a vanity with a shorter 30 inch countertop height rather than the standard 36 inch height. This will make it easier for your kids to access the faucet for washing hands or brushing their teeth. If your family is taller than average, a vanity like the James Martin 147-114-5236-2CAR Brookfield 48 Inch Antique Black Single Vanity With Drawers With Carrara White Stone Top could be even more useful, thanks to its above-average 43.3 inch height.
If you are planning to age in place, it may also be beneficial to consider features that will improve accessibility and stability. Grab bars and non-slip flooring may not seem like a big deal, but they can make all the difference in improving bathroom safety for seniors.
If you are remodeling your bathroom to help prepare to sell your home, you should be especially mindful of which features are consistently valued in the market. For example, double sinks are an extremely popular feature in the master bathroom because they conveniently streamline daily use for married couples. Even minor upgrades, like using brushed metal fixtures and faucets, can help give the bathroom a more luxurious appearance that makes it more appealing to potential buyers. However, avoid overly trendy features, which could quickly become dated.
3. Layout Considerations
Your bathroom’s layout will greatly influence what type of products you can purchase for your remodeling project. While it is possible to change the layout of your bathroom, hiring a contractor to knock out a wall will drastically increase your total remodeling costs. Generally speaking, it is much easier (and less expensive) to work within the layout you already have.
Even if expanding the square footage of your bathroom isn’t an option, you can still use the remodeling process to identify current pain points in your bathroom to improve overall ease of use. Evaluate the way you use your bathroom right now. Are there certain areas where space seems tight? Do you and your partner have difficulty using the room when you are both in it at the same time?
It can be helpful to consult with a contractor to better determine how to solve these issues. Many of these problems result from surprisingly simple things. A vanity that is too wide may cause open doors to bump into an adjacent wall or toilet. Sometimes, the bathroom is actually the perfect size, but fixtures are simply in a bad location. Keep in mind that moving the location of bathroom fixtures will typically require changes to the bathroom’s plumbing and electrical work, which will raise remodeling costs.
Take measurements of your bathroom and its current features so you can better understand how the space is currently used. It may be helpful to draw a rough plan of your bathroom using graph paper. This will make it easier to consult with a contractor to determine how you can make better use of your space.
Even if you don’t have significant issues with your bathroom layout, these measurements are still important when planning for a remodel. Selecting a replacement vanity or shower enclosure that has the same dimensions as what you currently use will ensure that the new feature doesn’t create problems for your floorspace.
4. Pick Your Focus
Many homeowners don’t have any issues with using their bathroom as-is — they just want it to look better. While this certainly makes remodeling easier, choosing the right look for your upgraded bathroom will still require a fair amount of work.
It’s generally best to start by picking one fixture that will serve as your bathroom’s focal point. There’s really no limit as far as which item could serve as the basis for the rest of the design. Whether you want to start with a tub like the Streamline N-801-59FSBL-FM 59 Inch Soaking Freestanding Tub In Glossy Black With Tray And Internal Chrome Drain or a vanity like the Chans Furniture CF-2873W-AW Fiesta 32 Inch Antique White Bathroom Sink Vanity, the focal piece will help you set the tone for the entire room.
After you’ve selected your focal design element, you should then select the rest of your bathroom items. This will make it easier to match the style and color of all pieces within the bathroom, resulting in a stylish, cohesive look. While mixing and matching styles may seem fun, this can result in a cluttered and unorganized appearance. When possible, selecting products from the same manufacturer or product line will make it easier to get the best look for your bathroom.
This same guideline should also influence your selection of colors and materials for flooring and walls. Choose a light or neutral color that will match the rest of the fixtures. It’s best to choose floor and wall colors last, as it is often easier to match them to your bathroom fixtures than the other way around.
5. Functionality Matters
Your upgraded bathroom shouldn’t just look good — it should also deliver the performance you need for a streamlined daily routine. Quite often, seemingly small features will make a bigger difference than you might expect.
For example, you can reduce your impact on the environment (and your utility bills) by purchasing products that reduce household water usage. A toilet like the Toto MS446124CEMG#01 Aqua IV Two Piece Elongated 1.28/0.8 GPF Dual Flush Skirted Toilet With SS124 Seat and CeFIONtect will help you save water with each flush. Shower heads like the Hansgrohe 26217001 Croma 280 1-Jet 11 Inch Showerhead use as little as 1.8 gallons of water per minute.
Reducing water consumption isn’t the only way that you can improve bathroom functionality as part of your upgrade. Medicine cabinets in the Robern Uplift Tech line offer distinctive features like a defogger, night light, and electric outlets. You could even get a towel warmer to keep towels dry and cozy.
While these extra features can greatly improve your bathroom routine, you should never overlook the importance of basic performance. Look for bathroom products from quality manufacturers with good reviews and warranty coverage. ETL/UL certification ensures that products meet safety and quality standards, while ASTM and other design standards ensure that the products and materials can perform well in a high-humidity bathroom environment.
6. Don’t Forget Commonly Overlooked Design Elements
While new fixtures may get most of the attention during a bathroom remodel, they aren’t the only thing that will affect the final look of the project. Being aware of a few extra details will have a bigger impact than you might think.
- Lighting: Better lighting doesn’t just make it easier to see what you’re doing. It also helps the room feel larger and more inviting. Consider upgrading your bathroom’s ambient lighting fixture or installing a medicine cabinet with task lighting to increase brightness. Glass shower doors can also help reflect light and make the room feel larger, even if you don’t have a natural light source.
- Storage: While a large bathroom vanity can provide ample storage space, it doesn’t always have room for all your extra linens and toiletries. If you don’t have a linen closet readily available, you may wish to consider an extra storage installation for your bathroom. Wall shelving can be a great way to use your vertical space.
- Ventilation: Never underestimate the importance of bathroom ventilation. A ventilating fan will provide air circulation to prevent mold and mildew growth in this moist, humid environment. Remodeling presents a good opportunity to double check that your current ventilation fan provides the right amount of airflow for your needs.
Bonus Tip: Preparing For the Remodeling Process
While planning out how you will upgrade your bathroom can be a lot of fun, remodeling itself is a lot of work. If you don’t want to go through the work of installing everything yourself, you will need to hire contractors to perform the work.
Depending on the scope of the work, a full renovation can take several weeks, even when using professional contractors. You will need to remove old fixtures, possibly demolish certain elements, complete plumbing and electrical work, install new flooring, paint the walls, and install fixtures. During this time, the bathroom will be inaccessible.
As such, family members will need to use other bathrooms in the house, which can cause crowding and “traffic jams” as everyone tries to get ready. To avoid such problems, you may need to create a schedule for who will use the bathroom at what times to keep everyone organized.
Planning ahead for how a bathroom remodel will temporarily alter your daily routine will ensure that your household continues to run smoothly while the work is going on.
Parting Thoughts
Bathroom remodeling is a highly involved process, but it can also be one of the most rewarding changes you make to your house. Even something as simple as a new vanity can improve the way you use your bathroom each day. Extensive remodels can also greatly increase your home value by making your property more appealing to potential buyers.
No matter why you wish to remodel your bathroom, you can count on Kitchen & Bath Authority to help you achieve a new look at a price you can afford. We offer significantly discounted prices on a wide range of bathroom products, ranging from sinks and toilets to vanities and shower enclosures.
With a vast selection of products from top brands like Robern, DreamLine, and more, you will have no trouble finding the pieces that are the right aesthetic match for your home. Best of all, with our exclusive membership program, you can gain access to additional promotional discounts, free shipping, and other benefits.
Your dream bathroom is closer than you think — and at a lower price tag than you might expect! Check out our high-quality bathroom products today to start transforming your home.
