Planning how to renovate the bathroom and executing the project is a wonderful way to add a personal touch to one of the most used rooms in the house.
Every aspect of your bathroom can be upgraded to make it more appealing to the eye and more functional for you and your family.
There is no better area to focus your attention on your home renovations than the bathroom if you want to get the best return on your investment.
According to the National Association of Realtors, a bathroom remodel will recoup approximately 60% of the cost of the renovation.
Although spending $10k on an average bathroom remodel and $26k on an upscale remodel (the national averages based on Remodeling Magazine) can sound like a waste of money, the most heavily used part(s) of your house (is there a day you do not use the bathroom?) is critical to making the decision of renovating it—and to increase home value.
According to publications such as The Wall Street Journal, it’s well known that a bathroom renovation pays for itself.
Since most bathroom renovations last between 2 and 3 months, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) suggests getting a 6-month plan in place to make sure that everything goes smoothly.
Before you can start thinking about how to renovate the bathroom, you must first create a budget.
A budget can help you assess how much you will accomplish, what supplies you will order, how much qualified skilled professional help you will need, and what the end result will be. More details on the average cost of a bathroom remodeling can be found here.
Tips for Remodeling a Bathroom
The use of various types of contractors for bathroom remodeling, such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and cleaning services, is needed for many of the projects.
Hiring a single service provider would complicate an already complicated renovation project.
You won’t have to pay these service providers individually because they’re part of the general contractor’s team.
If required, they can also recruit subcontractors for your project, so you don’t have to spend time looking for help.
Having said that, let’s look at different aspects of how to renovate the bathroom and see what types of upgrades will increase home value.
Cabinets & Storage
As for storage, bathrooms present a challenge to homeowners. There must also be places to keep hygiene products and towels after installing a sink, bathtub, toilet, and shower.
It’s also a juggling act because these storage options need to be aesthetically appealing to prospective homebuyers.
However, with the amount of room available, there is a range of options to consider:
Vertical
The majority of the bathrooms don’t make use of the upper wall section, leaving these areas completely empty.
To address this problem, install multi-tiered shelves in strategic locations, with towels within easy access from the bath/shower.
Another option is to use the accessible recessed spaces between the wall studs to store small objects.
Moveable
Items may be stored in hampers or baskets to utilize the spaces where cabinets aren’t possible.
Even if you don’t have them currently in the house, make sure these movable bathroom additions complement the bathroom’s décor.
When it comes to the cabinets, make sure the products are modern and reflective of the current trend.
Try to keep the cabinet colors neutral and have them made of wood that is moisture-resistant and suits the bathroom.
Bathtubs
It’s important to think about which bathtub you want in your master bathroom.
Some homeowners believe that a bathtub takes up too much space in a small bathroom, which is valid in certain cases.
A bathtub may be a deal-breaker for those who value usability (e.g., mobility-impaired people), whereas a clawfoot tub may appeal to those who value elegance.
Shower
Frameless glass shower coverings give the room a spa-like appearance. You can go with almost any color pattern, and they are more attractive than flimsy plastic materials.
There is a range of choices available but upgrading the showerheads is according to the taste of the homeowner. Multiple showerheads are a common option among homeowners under 45.
Hand showers to assist seated individuals could be the best choice for older homeowners. Seating is also important for the infirm and elderly, who tend to shower with some resistance.
Countertops and Sinks
Focusing on how to renovate the bathroom countertops and sink is one way to add a lot of value to your project. Investing in a stone countertop is the latest trend.
Since bathroom countertops are usually smaller than kitchen counters, you can spend a lot less money while still having a spa-like look.
Buying a slab with imperfections is one way to save money while still increasing the value of your house.
You will get the best of all worlds if you make sure the imperfection is covered by the sink that will be built in/on the stone floor.
You can also add some creativity. One common DIY trend is to take an old dresser and install a pedestal sink on top, or recess the sink on the top counter, to create an elegant solution.
This is also helpful if you’re having trouble finding enough cabinet space to match the look of your bathroom.
If it’s within the budget, replace the faucet as well. Stainless steel or polished nickel are attractive options that can add oomph to your bathroom.
Make sure that the hardware suits the faucets, or your bathroom will have an odd look that is out of sync.
Finally, having multiple sinks for his and her makes a bathroom even more appealing to new couples.
Tiles
Bathroom tile is one of the more costly aspects of a renovation, so it’s important to choose wisely.
One clever way of saving money is to strategically restrict tile, concentrating only on the surface rather than the complete floor (inside the shower stall).
Another smart idea is to use the more expensive tile as an accent, combining it in with cheaper tiles for saving money while highlighting the more expensive tile.
Because of the cost, you might want to coordinate all of your renovations with the tile’s color and characteristics.
Know that digging up your floor again if you’re thinking of adding a heated floor later is an unnecessary cost and needs to be planned accordingly.
You may also be interested in checking out the tile layout calculator.
How To Renovate The Bathroom Amenities
Lighting
Changing how your bathroom is lit is one way to spruce it up for a fraction of the expense of more labor-intensive renovations.
The lighting around your vanity mirrors will add a touch of elegance to your daily grooming routine.
Adjustable lighting for the bathtub will also help to create a soothing environment in the bathroom.
Some light fixtures have heat lamps that can be used to build a mini-sauna in the bathroom and operate in tandem with your ventilation system.
Avoiding dark spaces and cheap/inadequate lighting as a general rule provides value for most homeowners.
Bathroom Air Circulation
There is more to bathroom remodeling than aesthetics. Although having the ability to open a window after a hot shower makes it convenient, consider this an outdated option.
Modernity emphasizes automation and productivity, so if the bathroom lacks a recent ventilation system, make it a high priority to install one.
Excessive humidity causes mirrors to fog, the floor to become particularly slippery, and mold and mildew to thrive.
Moisture management is essential to make sure that not just physical hazards (such as slipping on the wet tile) are reduced, but also the air quality and the harm that mold and rot can cause.
Ensure that the ventilation system releases air to the exterior of the house rather than the gap between the ceiling joists (or other interior space).
Consider ventilation systems with features like humidity-sensitive switches and quiet exhaust fans that turn on automatically when moisture levels in the air exceed a certain level (you might also be interested in checking out our guide on the best outdoor ceiling fan).
Updating Fixtures
The little details matter, particularly when it comes to the eyes of those who will be viewing your home.
This includes light fixtures, doorknobs, towel racks, cabinet handles, and other items that can rust and degrade as a result of continuous moisture and usage.
Paint
Investing in a few cans of fresh paint, close to lighting, is an affordable and effective way to make your bathroom stand out.
If you want to DIY, pay close attention to how you paint; attention to detail is important, and a few coats of paint on the shower, sink, or other areas will degrade the other positive changes you have made.
Additionally, look for mold-resistant, high-quality paint that will keep mold at bay. Don’t forget about painting the ceilings, which can harbor mold and mildew due to hard-to-reach surfaces.
Grout and Caulk
Paying attention to the fine details, like a fresh coat of paint, will give your bathroom an updated look for a low cost.
While cleaning grout is time-consuming, restoring its original color will make the surrounding items “pop.”
The same can be said for caulk, which is relatively cheap in a tube. Caulk, particularly matching-white or clear colors, not only highlights the other elements in the bathroom but also protects the structure from erosion due to moisture.
How To Renovate The Bathroom Going Green
No, we are not referring to painting your entire bathroom green. We are referring to the green bathroom trend or making your bathroom more eco-friendly.
More homeowners are trying to use only materials that are ethically sourced and save energy (water, electricity, etc.) while still saving money.
There are many ways to go green, including:
Low-Flow Sinks, Showerheads And Toilets
These can generally be found for similar or less cost than standard versions.
Automatic Light Switches
Some models change the light amount depending on the daylight available or whether or not there is a person in the room. It’s ideal for people who have trouble remembering things.
Repurposing Or Purchasing Used Products
Recycling old products, such as a retro clawfoot bathtub, and reducing usage is a green alternative.
Thrift stores also carry a range of reclaimed/used furnishings that not only gives a retro appeal but are also priced considerably lower than comparable new fixtures.
Conclusion
Of course, putting in your own “sweat equity” to your home’s renovations will save you money, so figure out the projects you can manage yourself and which you can leave to the pros.
If you hire contractors for bathroom remodeling, make sure you have a set strategy in place that you don’t deviate from.
Costs and expectations can easily spiral out of control, as they do with most home improvement projects.
Contractors are aware of these issues (i.e. work stoppages, changes to original plans), and others have provisions in their contracts that charge premiums if the original work plans that all parties agreed to are changed.
If you are new to bathroom renovation, you can check out the beginner’s guide on how to renovate the bathroom and get started with your project.