How to Start Planning Your Bathroom Renovation
For sure, the bathroom cannot be more spacious than pretty much all of the other rooms in the house. Yet, a realization dawns on you while pondering on renovating. It is far more complicated than initially thought. Primarily, you need to balance convenience and functionality. Additionally, you may want to transform and turn it into an extension of the living space. Call it a sanctuary, if you will. How do you compartmentalize the ideas, organize thought, and actually plan?
Bathroom Renovation Planning
Before thinking about how to start, how about determining the end goals?
Functionality is a given – a bathroom should serve its purpose. Since you are up to remodeling it into an aesthetically pleasing style, ease of maintenance and comfort should also be considered. More important than anything else, you should think about the rest of the household – their needs and lifestyle.
Can you reconcile everyone’s preferences?
There are three areas of concern:
- The number of people in the household should matter, and more especially if there are special circumstances. For example, is anyone in the family using a wheelchair or walking aid?
- The choice of bathroom products also depends on age. Children, as an example, do not have the same needs as adults. Hence, provisions should be made – not only on the toilet and bath but also on storage.
- Do consider which bathroom supplies will be needed, and have the storage space.
After considering all of the above, you can begin the actual planning.
Budgeting for Specialty Works
Renovating the bathroom will entail work involving fixtures, accessories, equipment, and utilities. Bathroom renovation contractors can provide a free estimate and break down the costs to include, among others, the following:
- Sinks and faucets
- Cabinets and countertops
- General plumbing and fixtures
- Electrical
- Lighting
- Floor and wall materials
- Paints and trims
- Storage
Layout. At the barest minimum, a bathroom should have three sections.
Toilet. Modern designs would have a separation between the toilet and the rest of the bathroom. For comfort, each side should have a clearance of 75 cm and 75 cm to 100 cm in front.
There are essentially three types:
One-piece. Most of these toilets have a contemporary design. Being seamless, there is less risk of leaks.
Two-piece. Compared to a one-piece, this type of toilet is usually cheaper and easier to transport.
Wall-mounted. For small bathrooms, you can choose this type of toilet, in which the tank is built into the wall.
Regardless of which style you eventually picked, be sure it is efficient in water usage. Fortunately, most modern toilets use 6 liters of water as opposed to 20 liters in the old days.
Shower. Think about the convenience, not only for yourself but also for others especially for children. The size of the shower area should at least be comfortable.
You have plenty of options here. No matter the size of the bathroom – big or small – there are a plethora of choices. You can have a square, round, or rectangular shower, with or without a roof. You can even position it in the corner.
You have three choices here:
Modular. These are prefabricated shower kits that can be easily transported and assembled in the bathroom.
Single-piece. Unlike modular, these shower kits are standalone units that can be fitted into the bathroom. One thing you should consider before choosing this type is making sure it can be moved inside the house and through doors.
Custom. Usually, these are installed against tiled walls. You can go DIY or have an installer take care of setting it up.
You also have plenty of options when it comes to shower doors. Determining which one – swinging, sliding, and bifold – depends on your available space and personal preference. You could even opt for a simple panel.
One thing that you should not sacrifice – in the name of budgeting – are the mechanisms. Go for high-quality as these are responsible for fixing the glass panels.
Bathtub (optional). You can also throw in a bathtub if you have enough space. Allotting 150 cm space on the side makes it easy to access and clean. For extra storage and shelves, allocate enough space at the head or the foot.
Where you might have a bit of trouble is in choosing the design. There are plenty to choose from, such as freestanding, round, claw-foot, extra-deep, deck-mounted, or recessed.
Furthermore, you can also choose the primary material it is made of:
Acrylic. Because it can be molded into any shape, there is a wide range of styles to choose from. This material is easy to clean, durable, and does not fade.
Enamelled steel and cast iron. You do not see bathtubs made of these materials but they are still around. Compared to acrylic, they do lose heat quicker. Although cleaning is not difficult, their appearance can get old.
Sink. To complete the bathroom, you need a washbasin. Optionally, you could choose a pedestal lavatory. Have enough space on the side where you can put things. Consider the height too. You could follow the industry-standard as this works well for most people.
For each of the sections, think about the accessories. Shelves for towels in the shower (and bathtub) area, for example. A mirror, lighting, shelves, or racks for small items for make-up or shaving, and others.
You have three choices here:
Traditional. These sinks come in different styles and are built into a countertop or washstand. Depending on your style preference, you can choose a square, rectangular, or round shape. It can be drop-in or semi-recessed; vessel or surface-mounted.
Freestanding. For small spaces, you can use a pedestal type sink. Some models hide plumbing fixtures while others are exposed – these are for decorative purposes.
Vanity. These are sinks that come with a cabinet and faucets – complete sets. There are plenty of designs to choose from and are easy to install in the bathroom.
When you shop around for a sink, you are also presented with different materials. Choose one that matches your theme. Also, if several people use the bathroom, do consider installing two sinks or a double sink.
Lighting.The lighting concept in a bathroom is not any different from other living spaces.
General lighting. This light is what you use daily. It can be recessed, hanging, track, or pin lights.
Utility lights. These are special-purpose lights such as for making up.
Decorative lights. You turn these lights on to create a pleasing ambiance.
Bathroom Accessories and Fixtures
What else do you need to consider when planning a bathroom renovation? The accessories that are essential parts of the bathroom, of course.
Faucet
You need faucets for the sink, shower, and also for the bathtub if you plan on installing one. Most of them come with a chrome finish, but there are others such as stainless steel, copper, and brass.
Shower Heads
Like faucets, you cannot possibly count the number of available choices. Style-wise, it can be body jets or multiple-jet systems. It can also be fixed or hand-held (which is particularly useful for cleaning a bathtub).
Cabinets and Drawers
For obvious reasons, you need storage spaces to store towels, cleaning materials, and more. Whichever style you choose, be sure to opt for water-resistant materials.
Melamine. Affordable and versatile, these are the advantages of using this material. For contemporary style bathrooms, they blend very well.
PVC. These cabinets are affordable and, for sure, can tolerate high moisture levels.
Glass. They are very classy and easy to clean. Glass shelves are excellent for putting small items.
For as long as there is still available space, you would want to have more cabinets and drawers. Do balance it with the size of the bathroom as you do not want it to be too cramped.
Walls and Flooring
Remember that the bathroom is a high-moisture area. The floors, in particular, should not be slippery. Your choice of materials include:
Ceramic Tile. The most commonly used material. It is hard, stain-resistant, and can withstand scratches and bumps. There is no end in designs to choose from, and you can be creative in arranging them to create beautiful walls and floors.
Stone. They could be slate, marble, or granite. One reason why you want to choose this material is that they are durable and look elegant.
Confused? Call the Pros
Consulting professional bathroom renovation contractors is the easiest way to select a style that fits your needs. Companies like BathroomBro have an extensive catalog of designs that can be modified to suit your taste. And when it comes to the actual work, they have the experience after having completed numerous projects in the past.
