There’s something unique about a fantastic bathroom. Do you ever return to your seat in a restaurant or hotel and feel forced to say something about how nice the toilets are? It’s simple to feel calm, pleased, and a little bit fancy when we’re in a gorgeous bathroom.
You could be feeling overwhelmed by the options if you’re browsing for bathroom remodelling ideas. Bathroom makeover journals and online are brimming with beautiful designs, one as exquisite as the last. So, which option is best for you?
We’re drawn to bathrooms that have been painstakingly created to fulfil our needs flawlessly, even if it’s subconscious.
Many factors go into designing a bathroom that makes you happy every time you see it. I’ve whittled it down to ten of the most important. Continue reading to learn how to plan for a successful bathroom renovation.
Table of Contents
1. Make a financial plan
When you have the chance to turn your home into the exact style you like, you are investing in both your home and yourself. Renovations to your home or bathroom can cost as much as you let them, and without a sound budget, prices can quickly escalate.
The idea is to do some research on custom building costs in your area, determine a reasonable budget, and then try to stick to it. This is made easier if you use a renovating contractor or a design-build firm that provides fixed pricing instead of estimates.
Bathroom renovations can quickly become costly, owing to labour costs and, to a lesser extent, materials costs. Top bathroom general contractors, as well as the licenced subcontractors they work with, are highly trained and in high demand. You’ll need to consider in the expense of anything from tiles to a bathtub if you want to renovate your existing bathroom to higher-end materials.
You’ll need to think about a few things when making your budget:
- Do you plan to sell in the next few years?
- Do you wish to relocate items that have been plumbed in?
- What are the important features of the new bathroom?
- What can you afford to spend your money on?
Renovate your bathroom before selling your house
I normally urge people to improve their homes for their own enjoyment rather than resale value. You will only regain a portion of your renovation cost when you sell your property, with a few exceptions. If you just want to stay for a year or two before selling, you should reconsider investing on big renovation improvements.
Bathroom renovations, on the other hand, tend to recuperate a significant chunk of its cost when it comes time to sell, especially if your former bathroom was severely worn or obsolete. In 2018, the average bathroom makeover yielded a 70% return on investment when the home was sold. It may make sense to invest in a remodelling if you intend to stay in your house long enough to truly appreciate the improved area.
Make design and material choices that are likely to have broad appeal and aren’t too specific to you if you’re attempting to keep resale value in mind. Seek advice from a real estate agent or an interior designer.
2. Select the sort of bathroom you desire
Bathrooms come in a variety of designs, sizes, and configurations. You’re unlikely to modify the type of bathroom you have when you renovate. However, before you set your thoughts in stone (or grout! ), consider all of your choices. An skilled interior designer might assist you in seeing alternatives you may have overlooked. By borrowing space from a walk-in closet or a bedroom, a small half bath may be converted into a sumptuous master suite.
Typical Bathroom
A typical bathroom, often known as a full bath, has a sink, toilet, and a bathtub, shower, or both. Some older homes had only one full bathroom, which the entire family was supposed to share.
Master en-suites offer the same basic characteristics as regular en-suites, however they are only accessible from the master bedroom. When renovating or building a master suite, many homeowners choose for a lavish spa-like atmosphere. Skylights, a soaking tub, and a separate steam shower are all possibilities. A well-designed master suite can provide a relaxing retreat at home.
A master suite can usually be added to a home if one does not already exist. This frees up the current standard bath for family usage and eliminates long shower lines in the morning.
a half-bathroom
A half bath, often known as a powder room, is a small room with only a sink and toilet. If you live in an older Dublin property with only one full bath, installing a half bath could greatly improve your life. If you have dinner guests, they can utilise the powder room instead of invading your personal bathroom space. Similarly, if you have overnight guests, it can relieve some of the strain on your main bath if everyone is getting ready at the same time in the morning.
One of the best things about a half-bath is how little space it takes up. Half baths have been squeezed into the smallest of spaces, including closets and unused corners. Adding a half bath to your property can increase its value while also making your life easier.
Bathroom with water
A wet bath is a whole bathroom with a shower that isn’t in a separate cubicle or hidden behind a curtain. The floor, cupboards, and walls of wet bathtubs are all entirely waterproof.
One of my favourite bathroom design ideas is to create a wet room. Without any bulky shower doors to get in the way, it may seem sleek and modern. It is, nonetheless, extremely practical. You won’t have to worry about water splashing on the floor or walls because they’re completely waterproof. Because there are no curbs or other obstructions to prevent someone with reduced mobility from properly entering and exiting the shower, wet tubs lend themselves nicely to universal design principles.
Another benefit of wet baths is that they make good use of available space. If you’re renovating or adding a bathroom to your house, space is limited, and a wet bath method allows you to pack more into a smaller space by eliminating the need for a shower frame or stall.
Wet tubs are more expensive, but they are a great investment and the most long-lasting way to design a bathroom.
3. Create a bathroom design
So you’ve decided on the type of bathroom you want to build or renovate (half or full bath, wet bath, or standard). It’s now time to consider the layout. There are numerous bathroom layout options depending on the shape and amount of the space you have to deal with.
You must first choose the layout of your bathroom makeover before you consider the aesthetics.
I frequently urge clients to preserve their current layout. I say go for it if they like the general layout of the tub/shower, sink, and toilet and can live with it.
Rearranging plumbing fixtures (and walls) can quickly increase the expense of your bathroom renovation, so if you can avoid it, do so.
Of course, the existing layout does not always function.
It’s possible that your first bathroom was improperly designed. Perhaps you require more space. Perhaps you’re turning a half bath into a full bath. For a variety of reasons, you may need to change the layout. That’s when things get complicated.
That image becomes lodged in your head when you look at your current restroom. It can be difficult to picture it in any other way than its initial state.
Your designer can assist you by providing design consultations and producing a 3-D rendering of your new bathroom. For example, at Modern Tiling, we can use a virtual reality headset to allow our design clients to immerse themselves in prospective new bathroom designs. This way, you can try out different tactics until you find one you like.
In general, the smaller the room, the fewer options you’ll have for arrangement. You can only fit a tub, sink, and toilet into an 8′ x 8′ footprint so many times. Obviously, additional room brings up more choices and customising alternatives.
A skilled interior designer may assist you in making the most of a tiny area. He or she can also assist you in customising a larger plan to meet your specific requirements.
4. Decide whether you want a bathtub or not
Shakespeare’s original predicament for Hamlet was probably “to bathtub or not to bathtub.” After all, maintaining a Danish castle is costly, and showers were only beginning to arrive at the turn of the 17th century. This is a key question for modern homeowners who want to maximise their space.
Bathtubs are common in traditional bathrooms, but our desire to soak appears to be waning. Perhaps because life is increasingly faster, more Americans now prefer to shower rather than bathe. Baths, like showers, consume a significant amount of water.
If you’re the type of person who enjoys the complete relaxation that a bath can bring, then including it in your bathroom renovation is a must. Luxury bathtubs belong in a master en-suite, where you can relax and unwind away from the rest of the house.
If you’re planning to sell your home soon, you might want to keep at least one bathtub. If you plan on staying in your house for a long time, disregard that advise and replace all of your tubs with luxury showers. You may never turn around.
5. Take lighting into consideration
When it comes to building a new bathroom, a lot of people overlook lighting. However, you’ll immediately recognise poor bathroom lighting when you see it, and it can totally degrade the space’s appearance and functionality.
Natural illumination
Ample natural light helps a bathroom feel brighter and more airy. If at all possible, include plenty of windows and possibly a skylight in your design. If your home’s design doesn’t allow for a regular skylight, you might be able to utilise a tubular skylight instead.
A realistic lighting system around the mirror allows you to see how you’ll appear outside and provides accurate colour and skin tone approximations.
If your bathroom design includes one or more windows, consider placing your mirror and vanity lights so that you may face the window. This allows you to benefit from natural light during the day and vanity illumination at night.
Artificial illumination
Of course, the sun sets every day, and you’ll need an equally good artificial lighting strategy, no matter how wonderful your natural lighting plan is.
Thinking in layers is a fantastic place to start. Ambient light can be provided by recessed LEDs on a dimmer switch, but keep in mind that above light can cast shadows on the face, which isn’t comfortable. As a result, be sure to overlay soft lighting at the vanity at head level. Built-in lighting in some new vanities produces pure, broad-spectrum light that gives your skin a natural appearance. Avoid direct sunlight and bare bulbs.
If you want to read in the tub, make sure you have enough illumination in the shower area or spot lighting. In the niche, we’ve even inserted indirect lighting strips into the tile work to create a splash of mood lighting.
6. Don’t forget about the ventilation
Bathrooms are naturally wet, and the problem is exacerbated in Dublin’s humid climate. If your bathroom features a shower or tub, the building code demands appropriate ventilation.
To keep inhabitants healthy and avoid mould growth, all restrooms require efficient ventilation. Mold is a major issue in bathrooms, and if left unchecked, it may stain and cause costly damage, particularly in concealed locations.
Ventilation is typically provided by:
- Windows and window vents
- Fans for exhaust
Windows can provide fantastic ventilation, but they can also let in pollen, traffic, and even raccoons! Using open windows to ventilate your bathroom during the winter will waste electricity. Plus, when you’re in the shower, it’s freezing to crack a window.
Externally vented exhaust fans on timers are a fantastic solution for ventilation issues, and your contractor may advise you on where they should be positioned in the bathroom for the best airflow.
7. Incorporate a dash of opulence
If you’re planning a bathroom renovation, consider adding a few extras to make your area unique.
In modern bathrooms, there are a few optional bathroom upgrades that are becoming highly valued and even expected. Adding these during a remodelling is ideal because it will create the least amount of interruption.
Floor heating
Imagine getting out of the shower or bath to a warm floor on which to rest your feet. It’s a simple detail that makes a big impact in how much fun you have. Heated tile floors are not only comfortable to walk on, but they are also cost effective.
Installing a heated floor will cost more up front, but it will allow you to stay warm while lowering your primary thermostat. Radiant heat, such as the sun’s rays, feels warmer than hot air, and there are few things better than warm toes!
Towel rail with heat
Is there anything more relaxing than stepping out of the shower and wrapping yourself in a warm towel? I don’t believe so!
Wall-mounted elements
Toilets, cupboards, and washbasins that are placed on the wall appear sleek and modern while also freeing up floor space. This gives you the option of adding more storage or having a more open bathroom. Again, this luxury feature is a simple addition that can dramatically improve the appearance and feel of your bathroom.
8. Select bathroom materials that are long-lasting
Every day, bathrooms go through a lot of wear and tear. They must be able to withstand extreme temperature variations, severe humidity changes, and direct water exposure. Bathrooms must also be simple to clean, resistant to harsh chemicals, and appealing.
It’s a huge undertaking!
Knowing where to save money and where to invest money on high-quality materials is crucial to getting the most out of a bathroom renovation. Cutting corners on materials can often wind up costing you a lot more in the long run because they will need to be replaced in a few years.
The most durable bathroom materials will last far longer, and some will even last a lifetime. They’ll keep their high-end appearance and won’t be prone to moisture problems.
In your design, make sure to use high-quality, non-porous tile. Porcelain is frequently a fantastic option.
Avoid low-cost particle-board cabinets, which swell and collapse quickly in wet situations. Solid wood trim is preferable to MDF.
Most porcelain sinks and cast-iron tubs, even those that are less expensive, will last a long time, but stay away from cheap fibreglass or acrylic surfaces.
Invest in solid brass mixing valves and high-quality plumbing fixtures. They will endure a lifetime, whereas low-cost plastic fixtures will likely break after only a few years.
9. Including a toilet
Are you constructing a new bathroom from the ground up? Not only will adding an extra bathroom to your home reduce the morning battle for bathroom access, but it will also raise the value of your home.
A new bathroom will necessitate the design and installation of a full plumbing system. While this is a large project, it allows you to design your new area precisely how you want it.
You can save money by combining projects
If you’re installing a new bathroom, you should also think about renovating your existing bathrooms. You’ll already have a slew of subcontractors and inspectors in your house, and merging work can save you money.
10. Consider accessibility before you require it
It’s a good idea to consider accessibility while renovating your bathroom. While the prospect of becoming disabled or less mobile may seem far away, adopting a few easy precautions now can save you money later.
Today, accessibility does not always mean installing grab rails. Instead, install blocking behind the drywall to support future grab rails. A walk-in, curbless shower is also a lovely alternative with the added benefit of accessibility.
It’s simple and sensible to consider accessibility while remodelling your bathroom, from non-slip tiles to wet-room designs.
Are you prepared to remodel?
A bathroom remodel might be an exciting way to get the space you’ve always wanted.
However, executing it well necessitates serious consideration of what you and your family require and desire.
Do you ever use the bathtub, or do you prefer a spacious walk-in shower? Do you want to build a luxury master suite that you can enjoy long after you retire, or do you want to add value to your property in the short term?
I hope these ten bathroom remodelling ideas have gotten you thinking about your alternatives. However, don’t feel obligated to tackle it alone.
