9 Important Tips for Bathroom Renovation and Construction

Is there any room in the house more frequented than the bathroom? You go through your morning ritual of showering, shaving, and whatever else you need to do every single morning in the bathroom. Of course, you probably have a nighttime ritual you follow, and no doubt visit this room many other times during the day — maybe even in the middle of the night. Since you spend so much time there, doesn't it make sense that this room should be as attractive and functional as it can possibly be?

Having a bathroom contractor redo this area of your home is an investment that can and should increase its value. When you take on a bathroom renovation project, you can think about not just improving its cosmetics but also improving its practicality and energy efficiency as well. These bathroom remodeling tips and tricks can help you steer the renovation project in the right direction. 

Consider Niches and Recesses for Extra Space

Most bathrooms don’t offer as much space as one might typically need. If that’s the case with yours, one bathroom advice involves creating more rooms with built-in features. Just about anything from recessed medicine cabinets to even recessed soap dishes and toilet roll holders can allow for more storage space. Instead of a pendant light, for instance, you can go for recessed lighting built into the ceiling. The idea is to build into the walls — or the ceiling — where possible instead of outwards.

-A recess in the bathroom wall can serve as storage space for anything from towels to soap baskets.

Establish Your Budget

Setting a clear budget essentially allows you to keep track of all the choices you make during a bathroom remodel. With the variety of gorgeous options available on the market and on bathroom remodel websites, it’s easy to go overboard with the costs. Before shopping for a bathtub, for instance, determine whether your budget permits a $9,000 stone unit or perhaps that $3,000 freestanding steel bath you’ve been eyeing.

Determine the amount of tiling you will approximately need in square feet. While you may have sourced the best tile you can find, bear in mind that prices of tiles vary greatly and your overall bathroom remodeling expenses will grow with each square foot. Having a clear idea of what you actually want can keep you from deviating from your objective of renovating a bathroom within your budget. 

Mirrors Can Make the Space Appear Larger

There’s more to bathroom mirrors than just using them for routine tasks like shaving, brushing your hair, checking your makeup, and so on. Mirrors in bathrooms can also serve as elements of design that make the space appear bigger than it actually is — in addition to enhancing the brightness. Consider adding a second mirror beside the one you have above the bathroom vanity. If your restroom is especially small, aim for a large format mirror that extends from floor to ceiling. Leaving just a bit of space behind mirrors allows for airflow and prevents a buildup of mold — one bathroom issue you don’t want to deal with. 

A large mirror is an excellent way to visually expand your bathroom.

Account for Ventilation

Bathrooms are naturally susceptible to humidity. As such, building codes will require you to add an adequate source of ventilation. Doing so not only protects your well-being but also prevents mold growth. Bear in mind that mold can be very problematic and has the potential to cause significant damage — particularly in hidden places.

Ventilation can either be in the form of an exhaust fan or an adequately sized window. While the latter is typically a great ventilation source, it may not always be practical. In the winter, for instance, opening the windows for ventilation is simply a waste of energy if you have the heater on. Exhaust vent fans, on the other hand, provide a year-round solution for bathroom ventilation. For the best results, aim for a combination of both windows — if possible — and exhaust fans. 

Take Accessibility Into Consideration

Since you’re renovating the bathroom, why not take the opportunity to make it accessible? The possibility of having mobility issues may not be a concern for you today, but taking only a few measures now can save you money in the future. However, this doesn’t have to mean installing grab rails right now. You can simply install blocking behind the drywall just in case you need to add the grab rails sometime in the future.

A curb-less, walk-in shower is another stylish option that offers the additional advantage of facilitating accessibility. And even if you plan on selling your house, having a bathroom with an accessible design can boost your home value.

Walk-in showers not only enhance the accessibility of a bathroom but can also be stylish.

You Get What You Pay for

Bathrooms often go through a great deal of wear on a daily basis. They need to have the ability to withstand everything from significant temperature fluctuations to major humidity swings, and let’s not forget to mention constant exposure to water. Needless to say, it’s also important for bathrooms to withstand strong chemicals and be easy to clean — all while looking good at all times.

The success of a bathroom renovation often has to do with knowing where to spend and where to save. Trying to economize on certain materials may end up incurring more costs down the line as you may have to deal with replacements. Durable materials will normally maintain their high-quality aesthetic for a lot longer, some of them even last a lifetime.

Porcelain tiles, for instance, are non-porous and can perfectly withstand the damp atmosphere of a bathroom. Stay away from particle-board cabinets that tend to swell as a result of exposure to humidity. Porcelain toilets and cast-iron bathtubs are always better options than their fiberglass or acrylic counterparts. Solid brass plumbing fixtures will last significantly longer than plastic fixtures which you may need to replace after just a few years. 

Have a Decent Lighting Plan

The amount and placement of lighting can make or break a bathroom design. Probably the most basic way to illuminate a bathroom is with a diffuse light in the middle of the ceiling. A couple of wall sconces should do just fine if your bathroom is already bright enough. Should you be considering ceiling recessed LED lights, one bathroom remodeling tip is to avoid placing them directly above a light-colored vanity. Installing them closer to the wall, however, allows you to maximize the brightness around the mirror. Vertical fluorescent lights on both sides of a mirror are also a great idea if you spend a lot of time shaving or applying makeup. 

Strategic placement of lighting fixtures is an integral part of bathroom renovation.

A Bit of Luxury Goes a Long Way

A bathroom renovation project can be a perfect time to inject a little luxury into the design. Certain additions that are usually optional are becoming highly sought after in modern bathrooms — some even expected by many house hunters. Incorporating these features during a remodel will prevent you from having to add them separately later.

Heated bathroom floors, for instance, are incredibly comfortable underfoot. Besides the luxurious feel, they also make sense in terms of energy efficiency. And while the upfront cost of installing heated floors is somewhat high, the return on investment is certainly worth it. A more budget-friendly option is a heated towel rack. Simply imagine the luxurious feel of stepping out of the shower and wrapping yourself with a preheated towel. 

Avoid Making the Toilet the First Thing You See

When it comes to a bathroom remodel tips, ask any interior designer and they’ll tell you to avoid placing the toilet where it’s the first thing you see when you enter. The logic behind this advice is simple; since many homeowners tend to leave their bathroom doors open, anyone passing by will see the toilet. And it goes without saying that the toilet isn’t the most delightful sight. If you’re designing a spa-inspired bathroom, for instance, your porcelain throne is the last thing you want as the focal point. A more preferable choice would be the vanity or the shower.

Aim for a bathroom layout where the toilet isn’t the first thing you see when you open the door.