Remodeling your bathrooms adds great value to your life and the price of your home because bathrooms are high traffic and highly utilized spaces. Investing in your bathroom should only be done after a great deal of thought and planning to ensure that your investment makes sense from a budgetary, functionality, and home design perspective, which is where our Lakeside Renovation and Design team can help.
As a bathroom remodel contractor, we understand how much you love your home and want it to look and function its best. Our in-house design team can help you create a value-adding space during your interior remodel. So, before beginning any bathroom remodel, here are a few things to consider.
1. Plumbing
Perhaps the most important part of your bathroom remodel will revolve around the plumbing. While this essential element may not be the most exciting portion of your renovation, it is what will keep your bathroom working properly for years.
Determine where your plumbing lines need to go before beginning the renovation. This will determine where fixtures will fall and how you can lay out the bathroom. Even if you are keeping the existing layout, consider replacing the plumbing in an older home to something with less likelihood of leaking or even larger drains that have less chance of backing up and clogging.
2. Lighting
Bathrooms can often be small spaces or located in areas of the home where natural light is scarce. Lighting plays an important factor for creating a sense of space, making the room usable, and making the environment welcoming.
When possible, be sure to incorporate natural light. Bathrooms connected to an exterior wall make this aspect easier. The shower is a popular location for window placements as it makes the often small and dark space bright and airy. Where an exterior wall is unavailable, skylights can sometimes be a favorable option.
Artificial light plays a major role in the feel of your bathroom. You’ll want and need sufficient lighting in the shower, near the toilet, and around your mirror. And if natural light is not a possibility in your space, artificial lighting becomes that much more important.
3. Storage
How much storage space do you need?
Typical bathrooms house towels, washcloths, medicine, toilet paper, toiletries, and more. With the amount of storage required, consider installing recessed medicine cabinets. Pedestal sinks are not good for storage but are great for space, so if you are dealing with a smaller room, decide which is more important to you.
The more cabinets, cupboards, and closets you can incorporate into your design, the less clutter and more efficient your bathroom will look and feel.
4. Bathtub
Not every bathroom requires a bathtub. This should be more of a personal consideration depending on how much use the tub will receive, whether the room has space for it, and whether or not it fits your aesthetic. However, it is important to consider that having at least one tub in the home helps with value retention. Removing all bathtubs from a home or not installing any can be a major faux pas.
5. Showers
While not every bathroom will need a tub, every full bath should have a shower. But before you install just any shower, think about your budget, desired look, and the potential upkeep.
- Type of shower— Does the room require a shower/tub combo? Do you have room for a full walk-in shower? What type of shower will fit in your budget— fiberglass, full tile, a combination?
- Tile— This plays a major role in the overall style of your bathroom, so be sure to select a tile you like. However, remember that certain shower tiles, like natural stone, can be less water-resistant. They will require more upkeep and sealing. You should also take into account the amount of grout your shower will need. Grout tends to absorb water and can become a breeding ground for mold. The smaller the tile, the more grout your bathroom will have.
- Threshold— Shower curtains, glass doors, and even open showers are all options for your shower. For lower maintenance, opt for an open threshold with no glass.
6. Privacy
Bathrooms require privacy. In fact, they may need to be the most private rooms in the home. In master bathrooms or kid’s bathrooms, where multiple people utilize the space, consider the privacy factors that could be incorporated. If space allows, a separate toilet room or shower room can add immense value to your home.
7. Ventilation
With the amount of moisture bathrooms deal with on a daily basis, having proper ventilation in your space is essential. It aids in the prevention of mold and mildew growth and keeps your room looking its best.
You can implement adequate ventilation in two ways:
- A vent fan
- Windows
When selecting a vent fan, invest in a high-quality fan that removes as much moisture from the room as possible. Consider a vent timer, which allows you to set your fan to run for 15 to 20 minutes after your shower is complete. This will remove the excess moisture in the air.
Secondly, place windows in areas that help ventilate a room. Often, when a bathroom does not have a window, it must have a vent to meet code, but when a vent fan and windows can be designed into the space, you will maximize ventilation. This is yet another popular reason to have a window directly in the shower. Opening the window during or after your shower will remove moisture before it has a chance to settle anywhere else.
Add Value with a Bathroom Renovation
When you desire a value-adding bathroom remodel, the Lakeside Renovation and Design bathroom remodel contractor team can help. We want your renovation to not only exceed your expectations but to be a stress-free process. We focus on giving you a personal and positive experience while offering personal designs and impeccable craftsmanship. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
