Remodeling your bathroom can breathe new life into your home. Plus, since many people are spending so much more time at home, having a functional, beautiful bathroom is now on the top of the priority list for homeowners. Renovations might be as simple as installing new cabinets and countertops or upgrading your shower and/or tub. You might, however, want to remove everything down to the studs and start from scratch. Before you begin, consider the following suggestions to help refine your goals:
1. Add square footage. If you have the budget and deem it a priority, add square footage to your bathroom. Studies show that one quarter of homeowners opt to increase the size of master bathrooms to make the space more spa-like and relaxing. Many of those who are keeping the bathroom size as is find it too small for their needs (30 percent). Millennial homeowners are more likely to increase their master bathrooms than are other homeowners. Larger square footage in the bathroom is a great way to raise the resale value of your home.
2. Splurge on the shower. A new, updated shower is the top feature to splurge on during a master bathroom renovation. Of those making master shower updates, more than two-thirds increase its size. To save space, consider a walk-in (curbless) shower, which will inherently make your bathroom feel bigger. A frameless door or even a simple curtain will open sight lines and allow decorative tile to stand out.
3. Skylights. Adding a skylight will provide natural light and a tranquil ambience, both during the day and at night; it will provide privacy, whereas a regular window might not; and it will visibly expand and brighten the room, especially if the bathroom in not situated on a wall adjacent to the outdoors. Vented skylights add an extra advantage by discouraging mold and mildew.
4. Safety features. The bathroom is probably the number one space in the home where people prepare the home for aging. Incorporating universal design principles will make the bathroom safer for both young and old. Consider adding details such as grab bars, walk-in tubs and showers, rubber flooring, slip resistant tile and comfort height toilets. Also think about visual cues in the bathroom, which is important for the safety of everyone, but even more important for those with vision problems. The lighting at the base of the tub skirt, the detail on the front of the cabinetry and the contrasting colors between cabinetry, countertop and floor all help an individual detect edges and perimeters, allowing for greater confidence in navigating the bathroom space.
5. Plumbing technology. The demand for high-tech bathroom features has grown significantly, with upgraded toilets and upgraded showers coming in at the top. High-tech toilets will save water, keep your seat warm, move the lid with a motion sensor, stop the need for paper with automatic water spritzing, and clean themselves. Interestingly, nearly one in five toilet upgrades includes a seat with a bidet. Overflow protection is also a popular upgrade. Faucets, too, are getting more high-tech. Aside from the infrared sensor (which is practical, energy efficient and cleaner), now you can set a faucet timer for tasks like brushing your teeth.
6. Floating vanities and toilets. Add a floating vanity or floating toilet to enlarge the feel of your bathroom space. Not only do they create an uninterrupted flow, but they are also much easier to clean. For an even cooler effect, add under-vanity lights. Nearly three-quarters of homeowners remodeling their master bathrooms upgrade their vanity, with the floating style rising in popularity. Shaker continues its reign as the most frequently selected vanity door style, followed by flat-panel and raised-panel.
7. Upgraded hardware. Upgraded faucets are available in a wide range of styles, from timeless and traditional to sleek and modern, and are more water-efficient than previous models. They also come with highly functional features, such as integrated ceramic disks within the fixture that help grind away buildup that causes leaks. New sink and showerhead options are endless, too. Customizing is easy and will get you a good return.
8. Freestanding tub. There is no limit to the variability of freestanding tubs. They aren’t limited by the need to fit between walls or into tile, so their designers are able to be more creative with shapes. Freestanding tubs have an air of luxury, but they are becoming more obtainable as manufacturers offer more options. With those options come many things to consider such as shape, material, size, even plumbing. The look makes a unique statement, and the style will allow you to use your space more creatively as no walls are required. Also, compared to a built-in tub, a freestanding tub is painless to install. Instead of a decorator and a contractor, you’ll likely just need a plumber.
9. Maximize floor space. Take out the linen closet. Instead, increase storage by installing ceiling height cabinets or open shelving or utilize unused corners to make the best use of space. Come up with creative and beautiful ways to have storage where it needs to be. Plan ahead and place the correct storage unit in close proximity to the space where you’ll need it most. That wall behind the tub is a prime location. Spare the art and take a practical approach in one of the most functional rooms in your house.
10. Accent wall. If your bathroom is small, create an accent wall by using a light or bright paint that will enlarge the feel. Use bold tile or wallpaper behind the vanity or frame the bathtub or shower to make a statement accent wall. More than a third of renovating homeowners add an accent wall in their shower area. Surface material is the top choice for making the accent wall distinct, such as tile or stone, that’s different from the room’s other walls. Other strategies include using color, pattern, and texture. While white is the all-around winner for bathroom color, more renovators than last year are diversifying with a blue accent wall or multicolored accent wall.
*Statistics in this article provided by HOUZZ.
