Whether you’re planning to sell your home or you’ve simply decided your bathroom needs to be updated. Or maybe you have no choice you have leaks and it just has to be done. Whatever the case you have a few important decisions you should make before you get started.
You need to first consider what needs to be replaced. Maybe you’re remodeling because all of the fixtures (tub, shower, toilet and sink) are outdated? Or maybe there is a specific area of the bathroom that just doesn’t fit your needs? Maybe the floor is worn out and needs replacing, or you’d like to knock down a closet and install some shelving for a fresh new look. Whatever the reason before you start you need to pin down the exact things about your bathroom that need work.
Don’t think you need to overhaul the entire room only because the floor needs replacing. You may be able to save yourself thousands of dollars by starting with what irritates you the most and fix it first. If your bathroom seems too small, maybe you just need a pedestal sink instead of a cabinet one to make you room feel bigger. You might not need to tear down that wall after all.
If you’re thinking the best thing to do is to just gut the whole room and start from scratch you have a lot more decisions to make. What are you going to replace your current fixtures with?
Start by taking some measurements of your tub, sink and toilet, the replacements you’re considering, and the size of the room. Keep in mind that just because you want a whirlpool tub doesn’t mean you should have one. Your bathroom may be too small for anything but a standard tub that fits closely to the wall.
Draw some diagrams, and move things around until they fit. But keep in mind that changing the layout of a bathroom is fairly expensive. That means moving water pipes and drains, so unless you’re planning on tearing down the walls and maybe ripping up the floor, your toilet, tub and shower will probably have to stay where they are. But you certainly can replace them with new ones.
Actually picking out your new fixtures etc that you need to buy should really be the easy fun part. Here are some things to look for while you’re shopping.
- Look into purchasing a low-flow toilet. If you haven’t had a new toilet in awhile, you will be amazed at the savings on your water bill once a new, water-saving model is installed. This also holds true for water saving shower heads and faucets. This can be a huge plus to potential buyers, who will love the idea of saving on their utilities each month.
- Safety in the bathroom is also a new and important consideration. Consider grab bars around the tub and a non-slip floor covering specifically designed for bathrooms. Many older bathrooms are lacking in safety features, which can also be a down side when it comes time to estimate a home’s value.
Remodeling your bathroom is going to be a job that requires some forethought and planning. Whether you’re doing it to sell the home or for your family, it’s a must to take space, safety, and convenience into consideration. Don’t forget you spend an awful lot of time going in and out of your bathroom. It might as well be comfortable!