If you are planning a bathroom remodel, you’re probably already aware that it is one of the most challenging home improvement projects you can start. Many homeowners struggle with transforming their bathrooms, as they tend to be dark and small, especially in older houses. In contrast to other areas of the house, a few repairs in the bathroom might not meet your needs.
And while you can install a garage fan to solve ventilation and humidity control problems in your garage or implement a few interior design ideas to refresh your master bedroom’s overall appearance, bathroom improvements will require more effort. However, the good news is that not every bathroom remodel needs to end up being a whole ordeal. Sometimes you just need to approach your project with the right attitude and knowledge, and it will turn out to be an inspiring experience.
To help you achieve perfection and avoid getting headaches, we have prepared a list of questions you should ask yourself before starting the remodeling. They range from determining your budget and what bathroom style would suit your needs best to the layout you want and how to create enough storage. Read on to learn how you can make your next bathroom remodel a success!
What Is Your Reason for Remodel?
If there wasn’t something about your current situation that you want to change, you wouldn’t be starting such a demanding and costly project. Maybe you want to improve your home’s resale value, or you’re getting older, and your old bathroom isn’t as comfortable and easy to use as it was when you first moved in. But you shouldn’t stop there.
Try to consider the bigger picture, too. This will help you figure out what else might need to be updated and altered. For example, if you know that you’d want to age in place and stay in your home as long as possible, it might be better to resign from installing a big bathtub for the sake of a spacious walk-in shower. And what about grab rails? There’s no reason to drill the holes in five years and make a whole new mess when you can add them now.
Answering this question will also help you decide whether you need to take care of your existing water installation and call plumbing services. If you’re worried about the cost, here you can check the plumber rates per hour.
What’s Your Budget?
This is the first question you need to ask yourself after deciding to remodel your bathroom, as it will help you determine what materials and appliances you can afford. There are many ways to approach that task, each of which requires a different budget. A lot is going to depend on the style you decide to go with. For example, if you want to go for a classic look, with traditional bathroom elements such as a clawfoot tub and pedestal sink, you will need more money than if you go for a contemporary style, with modern features such as walk-in showers and sleek vanity units.
As you can see, the right answer to this question largely depends on your personal preferences. It can also be a matter of convenience and functionality. If there’s someone in your household who usually gets ready in the bathroom or there are two people using the same one, a double sink vanity might be a great idea.
How Much Storage Do You Need?
The number one complaint people often have when it comes to their bathrooms is that they have little to no storage space. If this happens to be an issue in your bathroom, you will definitely want to start planning storage solutions right away. Consider installing some deep and spacious storage cabinets and adding extra shelves above the toilet or under the sink.
A medicine cabinet that will double as a mirror over the sink is also a brilliant solution. On top of that, make sure that you have drawers that can fit small toiletries, as well as bigger cabinets where you can hide extra towels, toilet paper, or products such as bubble bath or shampoo that come in oversized bottles.
What Kind of Lighting Do You Want?
If you’re planning on spending a lot of time in your bathroom, because, for example, you like to get ready in there, you might want to make sure you have ample lighting in there. It can be hard to apply makeup or shave when you can’t see what you’re doing. That’s why you might need more than just a plain overhead light. Besides the main overhead light, you can also choose a hanging mirror with lights. You can also consider adding some spotlights on the ceiling or sconces on the walls.
Where Will Your Plumbing Fixtures Go?
No matter what bathroom style you choose, toilets, sinks, and tubs will always take up the most space in your bathroom. Therefore, it is vital that you plan where you want each plumbing fixture to go before you start construction or renovation work. Confirm that the plumbing lines are not going to interfere with anything else in the room.
If you want underfloor heating, so your bathroom floor can always be nice and warm, you’ll also need to make some plans for it. Try to make a list of things you’d like to have in your bathroom – this will make planning the layout and making adjustments much easier.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is quite a bit to think about before embarking on a bathroom remodel journey. Above all, make sure that you have a good attitude towards the project and aren’t rushing things along. Whenever you take the right approach and prepare for things properly, the chances are that it will be a fun experience rather than a stressful ordeal.
A bathroom remodel might be frustrating sometimes, but it will be well worth it in the end. All you need is a good plan and some time and effort, and your dream bathroom will come to life!
