Remodeling Your Bathroom? Keep These Things in Mind

Remodeling a bathroom is a lot of work. Imagining all the possibilities, drawing them out, and window shopping before getting started are all a lot of fun, but it’s important to stay realistic about time-frames, the amount of work it will take (especially if you’re doing it yourself), how much it will cost you and so on.

Whether you’re planning a bathroom remodel in the near future, down the road, or just like to dream, be sure to keep the following points in mind.

  1. Lighting matters. If you are a Pinterest user or like to shop on Etsy, there’s no doubt you’ve come across a wide variety of unique lighting options suggested for the bathroom. Pinners and sellers alike have likely inspired you with everything from re-purposed chandeliers to mason jar sconces – who needs those boring, traditional light fixtures anyway? Well, you do. That’s not to say that you can’t install a light fixture that has personality and style, but there’s a reason certain light fixtures are common. They’re functional.
  2. Will that chandelier give off enough light? Will those mason jars be far enough out of reach so that your little one can’t put things inside? In certain bathroom layouts, there may very well be a place for your re-purposed lighting. If you have a large master bathroom, perhaps a chandelier over the tub is the perfect statement and will give off the perfect lighting when you’re ready to relax. In a smaller bathroom, though, all of the lighting needs to be functional.

    In addition, lighting type and placement matter to the overall look and feel of the room. Check out our blog post on getting the bathroom lighting right.

    Although you may not be able to use a statement piece, there are a lot of charming, modern light fixture options that will complement your bathroom.

  3. Not all flooring is created equal. There’s an obvious difference between carpet, hardwood, tile, laminate, etc. Luckily carpet isn’t common in bathrooms anymore – it locks in moisture and is a perfect home for mold so it’s not a bathroom flooring that many recommend. Wood is beautiful but it’s another flooring better left out of the bathroom. Unless sealed properly, water and moisture will cause it to warp and, because wood is porous, if not properly sealed it can also absorb moisture and house mold and spores.
  4. Tile is a popular flooring for bathrooms, but it’s not without its flaws. Tile flooring is cold and can be extremely slippery. Laminate, another option, maybe less cold and a little less slippery.

    The different types of floorings hold their own values and beauty. If you don’t take into consideration that tile is cold and you can’t stand to have cold feet, you may not love it so much when the bathroom is finished.

  5. Colors have power. Think about your favorite color. Is it a bold red? A soft green? A deep blue? It might be your favorite but would it really look good in the bathroom? Different colors evoke different emotions. Red tends to be associated with energy, passion, or anger. Green is associated with ambition. Blue is associated with wisdom and royalty.
  6. You might be thinking, “So, what?” Well, when you know what a color’s meaning is, it’s easier to choose what color you want for a room. Do you plan to use your bathroom for relaxing? If so, you may want to stay away from reds. Greens can promote peace, but the wrong shade can ruin what you were going for. Don’t just choose a color because it’s your favorite. It seems like it should be so simple to choose paint, but it’s important to think about it carefully.

  7. Trends don’t last forever. Think back to Pinterest and Etsy again. There are so many crafts and decorating tutorials that you might be itching to try or maybe there’s a trendy statement piece that you want to install. When it comes to remodeling a bathroom, you need to think long-term. Unless you plan to remodel again in the next few years, installing something that goes with the current trends may not be the best idea.
  8. Think about pink countertops. They were all the rage in the ‘50s. What about avocado green appliances? Are those still trendy? Certain trends may stay in style a lot longer than others, but it’s not always easy to guess which will. If a certain trend has been around for quite some time in one form or another, you may be able to get away with it. But, if you’re tempted to install something that has only been popular a few months, be sure to give it some serious thought.

    What’s more, keep in mind that not everybody has the same taste as you do. Just because you love a certain style doesn’t mean that everybody else will too. If you’re planning to sell your home, whether sooner or later down the road, be careful about making it too personalized. It could make your home more difficult to sell.

At Five Star Bath Solutions we have many remodeling options. Ready to get started?Let’s do it!