The truth is this: bathroom renovations are just like any other home remodeling project, in that they’re going to cost you time, money, and the odd headache or two. Thankfully, it’s a project space that will have an outsized impact on the quality of your home, and one which will significantly increase the aesthetic and experience for years to come.
Cost and labour requirements will vary greatly depending on the type of bathroom renovation you’re after. For small bathroom renovations aimed at improving a space’s functionality to complete overhauls, there is a solution for every home. In this article, we’re going to explore everything you need to know about a bath renovation project before diving in, ensuring that you’re prepared for the exciting times ahead.
Ask Questions Before You Start
Prior to falling down the design rabbit hole or getting your heart set on specific features and layouts, it’s incredibly important that you start by asking as many ‘boring questions’ as possible. Here are some examples to get you started:
Taking some time to work through these questions (and others) will allow you to drill down on the most important elements of the project, ensuring that you get it right the first time around. While going through the planning process, it’s incredibly easy to get excited and lose track of your initial budgets and requirements. Because of this, it’s important to document your answers prior to diving in, giving you a frame of reference for decision-making once the (now properly planned) project gets underway.
Materials for Bathroom Renovations
When discussing the budget, quality, and project scope, there is one item that will come up in conversation often: bathroom materials. It’s important to consider all material options for your project, finding a balance between quality capable of lasting years and palatable pricing. To get started, consider the following material decisions:
Flooring
The floor in your bathroom will take a beating over the years, and must be capable of standing strong. Consider the pros and cons of tile, vinyl, stone, laminate, and the like.
Walls
Few things will define the aesthetic of your bathroom more than its walls. Thankfully, you have a wide variety of material options available, including paint, tiles, wallpaper, and more.
Fixtures
As you begin shopping around for the critical fixtures – your sink, lighting, mirror, and so on – you’ll have a long list of available options. Work to find a balance between what looks good, what will last years of usage, and what doesn’t break the bank.
Storage for Bathroom Renos
One of the primary reasons for frustration in an unrenovated bathroom (or home, in general) is a lack of storage space. Not having enough room to tuck away the bits and bobs – from toiletries to shampoos and beyond – can be painful, and so it’s critical that you plan your washroom renovations with storage top of mind. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Storage in the shower
Make space for the shower necessities, like shampoo, soap, razors, and the like. Currently in trend are built-in shower niches, which allow for extra storage with no bulk and zero breaks to the aesthetic of the room.
Storage in the vanity
Your vanity will be a prime location for storing much of what the bathroom needs to function. If your budget will allow for a custom installation, take the opportunity to customize a large vanity with ample space. If that isn’t a possibility, you can still have a store-bought vanity that focuses on maximizing storage space installed.
Wall storage
Bathroom walls are one of the most underappreciated storage centers around. With the help of additions like floating shelves, mirror cabinets, towel racks, hooks, and linen closets, you’ll be able to create as much or as little storage space as your heart desires.
Understand Shower/Tub Basics
The shower or tub you select during your bathroom makeover will not only cost the most of an element in the space, but it will also have the largest impact on the overall look and feel. Because of this, it’s important that you select wisely, considering all of the available options and ensuring that no major factors go overlooked.
For most modern homes, a nice shower has become the standard. If you have children or live in a family-friendly neighborhood where a tub may be seen as valuable by potential buyers, it’s worth considering the installation. Whether you opt for just a shower, a shower/tub combination, or a tub on its own, there are some key considerations you’ll want to work through:
Enclosure
Depending on the setup you select, there will be a good handful of enclosure options available, including curtains, glass doors, or no doors at all. Curtains are great for shower/tub combos, and offer lots of flexibility – especially if bathing children must be considered. Glass doors, on the other hand, will offer a wonderful sense of spaciousness, but you’ll want to be sure to add warm finishes to offset the rigidness. No-door solutions – the most uncommon on the list – will create a very unique shower experience, but you’ll want to ensure that your bathroom possesses a central drain and only waterproof surfaces.
Fixtures
Setting aside the standard faucet and showerhead options available, there are two cool considerations you may want to look at come project time. The first is a thermostatic shower valve, which will automatically adjust cold and hot water temperatures based on pressure changes to prevent burning. The second is a good showerhead. Although not an incredibly expensive component of the renovation, getting this right can make all the difference when it comes to enjoying the new bathroom throughout the years ahead.
Regardless of project size or budget, diving into a bathroom renovation will be incredibly exciting. Creating a luxury bathroom is easier than you think thanks to the professional expertise of Luxe Home Renovation. We are the premier choice for bathroom renovations and bathroom remodeling in Toronto.
CONTACT US to get a FREE quote for your next bathroom reno project today!
