Create a vision, make a budget, choose your style and materials, hire the right pros and get the project done
So you’re ready to remodel that bathroom. Congratulations! As you probably already know, you’ve got some tasks ahead of you. Even with the help of a professional bathroom designer and a general contractor who will take care of the construction and installation, a lot of the mental work inevitably falls right on you, the homeowner.
it’s going to be up to you where you want things to go, how much you want to spend, what you want it to look like and how you want it to function. This step-by-step workbook will help you navigate the process through the planning and conceptual phases. Just remember to keep your eye on the prize, and seek the help and guidance of people who’ve been there before. And above all, plan thoroughly.
Step 1: What Are You Trying to Achieve?
It seems like a simple enough question that should have a simple answer: “Well, I need a new bathroom.” But when embarking on a journey that will take a good chunk out of your time and bank account, you want to get it right. And you want to be happy with the end result.
Before you do anything, think about what your ideal bathroom would be. Forget constraints of money and space; just imagine what you want and what the intended purpose will be. Who is this bathroom for? Is it a primary bathroom? A powder bathroom? A kid’s bathroom? How often will it get used and what will the function be?
Other considerations:
How many people will use it?
How much time do you spend in the bathroom during the morning, afternoon and night?
What’s your routine — how does your current space hinder it and how could a new space improve it?
Do you plan to grow old in this house?
Do you have medical issues like poor eyesight or arthritis to consider?
Do you just want something that’s easy to clean?
Is storage the catalyst? Relaxation?
Or do you just want to update the look for resale?
Would your dream bathroom include a towel warmer, steam shower, fireplace or TV? All these things will help guide you in your decisions.
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Step 2: Find a Professiona
Whether or not to hire a professional for any part of your project is up to you. If you know what you want and where to find what you need, and are confident that your ideas will work, then the design phase could be left up to you.
But know that a professional bathroom designer may be able to think of things you may not have considered — like fitting a washer and dryer into your bathroom, adding a skylight or rearranging the space in a creative way to maximize functionality and efficiency.
There are different ways you can work with a designer. A little guidance from a design consultation or a more developed vision with a design plan may be all you need to get started. For particularly complicated jobs, full design services are probably best.
If you’re comfortable tackling the demolition, construction and installation yourself, you may not need a general contractor. But it’s a project that can quickly get out of your grasp. If you lack experience, a bathroom remodel could take you several times as long as a professional to complete, and the result might still be of poor quality.
The complexity of routing plumbing, laying tile and flooring, installing vanities and toilets, and more leaves way too much room for error, and you’re likely to mess something up, lose money and end up with a bathroom that’s full of flaws. If you want to cut down a little on your budget, stick to straightforward tasks like painting.
For major structural changes, you may need to hire an architect. Plumbing and electrical work is almost always hired out. In some places, it’s required by law. When in doubt, hire a pro to help.
Step 3: Refine Your Plan
Gather photos of bathrooms you like. You can create an ideabook on store and organize photos of layouts, styles, finishes and more. For example, you may like how the toilet, vanity and shower are laid out in one particular photo, but don’t necessarily like the style, color or materials in that space.
If your dream bathroom doesn’t seem as though it could ever fit in the space you have, think about what’s on the other side of the bathroom walls. Can you steal space from an adjacent closet, bedroom or other unused area? Is it possible to punch out from your home to create more room?
Other options to consider are whether or not you want the toilet out in the open or in its own water closet. What kinds of special storage you need — for the hair dryer, makeup, shaving kit and more. How to get more natural light. Or even how to incorporate sinks and vanities to fit your height and that of your spouse or partner.
Can you create a transition area that connects through a closet and dressing area and then out to the hallway, so you don’t have to wake your spouse or partner while getting ready in the morning? There’s almost no end to what you can dream up and execute, so think ahead and plan accordingly to get everything you want.
Step 4: Choose Your Materials, Finishes and Colors
You’ve likely been planning for this remodel for quite some time and already have your ideabooks with inspiration photos breaking down how you want your space to look.
Now’s the time to research materials so you’ll have at least have some working knowledge and be able to have a good conversation with your designer or supplier. Though the selections in this phase seem endless, here’s a general rundown of what you’ll be choosing.
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