Designing a new bathroom can be fun and challenging. There are so many options from which to choose and so many decisions to make. Let’s simplify the process. Start with a layout of your room. It is adequately sized? Do you need to bump into an adjacent closet? Is the plumbing going to stay in exactly the same place? While it is obviously less expensive to keep things the way they are, it may not give you what you really want or need, or allow for maximum resale value later on.
In order to establish a budget, get estimates from a general contractor (for gutting, sheet rocking, etc.), plumber, electrician and tile installer. Also, compare prices for products such as fixtures, faucets, tile, vanity, lighting, shower and tub enclosures and accessories. Even before you go out shopping, think about what’s essential for your needs. You don’t want to end up with a barely adequate everyday shower because you purchased an indulgent, really big Jacuzzi tub that takes forever to fill. If there is another bathroom with a tub in it, you may decide to fill the space with a large shower, comfortable for two and even add a steam mechanism to it.
Look for water saving toilet fixtures, as well as those that operate at maximum efficiency. They come in regular height or comfort height, as well as elongated or regular seats. I prefer comfort height and elongated in all bathrooms. There are a variety of color choices. I suggest white or biscuit (a soft white) in most cases, for easy coordination with tile.
The world of tile can overwhelm with choices. Be aware of your budget before you fall in love with a pricey tumbled marble. There may be a porcelain look alike that serves the purpose. You can jazz it up with a beautiful glass accents, a painted mural or some textural listellos or chair rails. Create interest on the floor by adding a pattern or checkerboard. Change direction on the wall from vertical to horizontal or diagonal, or opt to use paint above a chair rail except in the shower area.
Vanities are available today complete with sink and faucet installed. Check the quality, however, especially if it’s an often used bathroom. For maximum storage space, don’t place two sinks side by side. Use that space for a tall linen tower, make-up area or more storage. (Drawers are more useful than shelves behind doors.) Custom built-ins give you the most usable space, if it’s in your budget and it’s always nice to have his and her separate vanity areas if the room allows.
Luxury items such as fireplaces and televisions help create spa-like bathrooms along with closets and seating areas. Interesting applications, such as painted cement floors, are becoming popular, as well. So whether your taste is classic, Zen or somewhere in between, you can create the bathroom that is perfect for you. All you have to do is a little homework to save a lot of headaches.
Look for water saving toilet fixtures, as well as those that operate at maximum efficiency. They come in regular height or comfort height, as well as elongated or regular seats. I prefer comfort height and elongated in all bathrooms. There are a variety of color choices. I suggest white or biscuit (a soft white) in most cases, for easy coordination with tile.
The world of tile can overwhelm with choices. Be aware of your budget before you fall in love with a pricey tumbled marble. There may be a porcelain look alike that serves the purpose. You can jazz it up with a beautiful glass accents, a painted mural or some textural listellos or chair rails. Create interest on the floor by adding a pattern or checkerboard. Change direction on the wall from vertical to horizontal or diagonal, or opt to use paint above a chair rail except in the shower area.
Vanities are available today complete with sink and faucet installed. Check the quality, however, especially if it’s an often used bathroom. For maximum storage space, don’t place two sinks side by side. Use that space for a tall linen tower, make-up area or more storage. (Drawers are more useful than shelves behind doors.) Custom built-ins give you the most usable space, if it’s in your budget and it’s always nice to have his and her separate vanity areas if the room allows.
Luxury items such as fireplaces and televisions help create spa-like bathrooms along with closets and seating areas. Interesting applications, such as painted cement floors, are becoming popular, as well. So whether your taste is classic, Zen or somewhere in between, you can create the bathroom that is perfect for you. All you have to do is a little homework to save a lot of headaches.
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