Is your bathroom in need of renovation? If so, you might be feeling overwhelmed with the number of decisions that you are facing. Not only do you have to consider what type of design style is best for your space, but there are also other essential factors to think about.
We all want to make our homes more beautiful and enjoyable to spend time in, and one way to do that is by renovating your bathroom. However, before you start tearing out walls and installing new fixtures, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
In this article, we will give you eight essential tips to consider before renovating your bathroom.
1- Consider your budget
The bathroom is one of the most expensive rooms in a home to renovate. While it may be tempting to go all out with an ultra-modern design, keep in mind that you will need to pay a hefty amount before you can enjoy it.
It's best to begin by setting yourself a realistic budget and then work around that amount. Open an investment account for kids to keep family expenses such as allowances separate from other expenses. This will allow you to have a more realistic idea of what you can afford.
That way, no matter what type of renovation project you decide to do, there won't be any surprises or disappointments when the bill arrives at the end of the process.
2- Plumbing and electricity
Before you even think about your bathroom's design, layout, and aesthetics, a professional needs to assess the plumbing and electric systems currently in place.
It's best to hire an electrician or plumber before beginning any renovations to investigate possible issues that might arise ahead of time and give you a detailed estimate on what type of work needs to be done. This will help keep costs down once the renovation has started.
3- Lightning
How bright does your bathroom need to be? What type of lighting is best for the space, and how many fixtures will you require.
It's important not to overlook this aspect because it can make or break a bathroom renovation project.
Like budgeting, taking time before beginning renovations to assess what kind of lighting is needed ahead of time means that there won't be any unpleasant surprises when it comes down to reaping the benefits after work has been done on the room.
4- Ventilation
Bathrooms can be small and stuffy, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't have proper ventilation. Not only will a new air supply help to keep humidity levels down, which in turn prevent mould from growing on surfaces.
It also provides an excellent way for steam produced by the shower to escape the room. This is especially important if you're installing new hardwood flooring or laying ceramic tile, as those materials are easily damaged by moisture.
5- Structure
Just like with plumbing and electricity, it's best to hire a professional before beginning renovations. Even if you have some experience in this area, bathroom projects are far more complex than most other DIY jobs.
The last thing you want is to start ripping out walls only for your amateur handyman skills to be exposed once work has begun on installing new fixtures or building custom cabinetry.
Doing so will lead to delays and cost overruns, which can quickly end any plans to enjoy that beautiful new space after all the hard work is done.
As mentioned above, renovation projects need professionals involved every step of the way, no matter how much knowledge one may possess about home improvement.
This ensures that there won't be any unpleasant surprises once the renovation has begun and also helps to keep costs down.
6- Space
The space available in your bathroom should dictate what renovations are possible and how much work needs to be done before construction can begin.
The less there is to work with, the more complex a renovation will become, and if you're already low on square footage, then any unexpected problems may put an end to whatever plans you had for your new bathroom.
However, this doesn't mean it isn't worth doing at all just because limited space makes things more complex. Instead, it requires careful planning and budgeting ahead of time so unanticipated expenses won't ruin those long-awaited results.
7- Heating System
A bathroom without heat can be uncomfortable, not to mention it's also a severe health hazard.
Since bathrooms are smaller spaces and used more often than others in the home, they're especially susceptible to low temperatures, increasing the likelihood of illnesses like flu or pneumonia.
And while some homes have enough space for their dedicated heating system, many don't.
If you find yourself unable to install anything permanent, there is always the option of portable electric radiant flooring.
This works by warming up the tiles underfoot so one will still feel warm even on cold days when having long showers or baths makes this most necessary.
But if you have an oil furnace already installed, don't forget to check if they are still in good conditions and do maintenance regularly.
8- Accessories
Accents and accessories are important to consider as well. For example, suppose you're planning on installing new hardwood flooring that is susceptible to moisture damage. In that case, it's a good idea to opt for ceramic tiles instead since they stand up better against the water produced by your shower or bathtub.
The same goes with other fixtures such as towel racks and toilet paper holders- these may seem like trivial additions but, if not chosen correctly, could end up causing future issues.
Sometimes even minor details can make all the difference when renovating one's bathroom, so it's best to take time before beginning any projects to assess what kind of accessories or accents would work best within each given space.
Conclusion
As you can see, renovating your bathroom requires a lot of work that may not be in everyone's expertise.
That doesn't mean it isn't something worth doing, and the key is to do extensive research and planning before beginning renovations.
This will help to reduce costs down the road and prevent any unpleasant surprises once construction has begun on other parts of the renovation process.
If done correctly, a bathroom renovation can allow for an increase in the value of your home. It will also create a beautiful new space one gets to enjoy for many years afterward with minimal effort involved.
If you liked this post you might also like...
How To Make Your Bathroom More Luxurious
Leave a Reply