Bathroom Remodeling? Alongside kitchens, bathroom remodels are one of the biggest types of renovations to undertake. Having upgraded bathrooms in your home will not only make it more beautiful and functional, but it will add value to your home.
According to the National Builders Association, bathrooms remain one of the most popular types of rooms to remodel. This is attributed in large part to changing needs and wants in a bathroom design.
It is a major project to undergo. Because of the bathroom’s important functionality in a home, you want to get it right. So how do you plan a successful bathroom remodel? We’re covering everything you need to know below.
What Are Your Goals and Priorities for your Bathroom Remodel?
Before diving into the logistics of your remodel, you’ll want to determine your goals and priorities. These will be the foundation of your project.
Ask yourself, what is driving the project? Some examples of common goals are to:
- Create more space
- Have a more functional bathroom layout
- Update the style and fixtures
- Create an eco-friendly bathroom
- Accommodate more household members
- Enhance the resale value of your home
Your goals will also help inform your priorities. To figure out your priorities ask yourself, what is essential for the space? Questions you’ll want to consider are:
- Who will the bathroom need to accommodate?
- Do you need to consider an aging family member?
- What works in the current space?
- What needs to be better?
Again, this exercise is important because your answers will guide you through the entire process. This list will help you make decisions that are in line with your goals, improving the overall experience and your final result.
What Is the Bathroom Remodel Scope and Budget?
Once you’ve figured out your priorities and goals, the next step is to figure out the scope of your project. This is where you think about how you need to update the space to work for your lifestyle. Ask yourself:
- Are you adding a new bathroom (that doesn’t currently exist in your home)?
- Are you gutting and replacing everything in your old bathroom?
- Are you changing the layout of your bathroom?
- Are you only making surface updates?
When you know the extent of the project then you can start planning your budget. The significance of this step cannot be understated. If you don’t carefully budget, then you risk running out of money mid-project or going way over budget.
Typically how much does a bathroom remodel cost?
According to Home Advisor average bathroom remodels cost around $30,000. On average the cost is usually $120-275 per square foot or about 5-10% of the value of your home. In our current market, prices have been rising significantly across the board, so do your research before getting started.
The components that will affect your budget are the scope of the project, the size of the space, the professionals you hire, and the quality of materials and products you select. Remember that the initial number a contractor gives you is based on an average, so it’ll be subject to change. The products and materials you end up choosing will directly affect your budget.
To start figuring out the total cost, get estimates from contractors. Put together an itemized list of all the products and materials you want and you’ll have an estimated budget. When creating this list, don’t forget delivery fees and taxes. Understanding the installation technique is also very important to discuss with your contractor. For example, do you want a walk in shower, a freestanding tub, or wall-mounted faucets? These details can affect installation costs and your budget as well.
Before you’re finished add an extra 20% for unexpected costs. It’s important to have contingency funds because you never know what issues might arise once construction begins.
What’s Your Ideal Floorplan?
If you’re building a new bathroom or gutting an existing one you’ll need to figure out what floor plan will work best.
This will largely depend on the amount of space you have available and if you’re planning on moving plumbing or not. Moving plumbing can increase the budget significantly.
You’ll also want to revisit your list of priorities to plan a functional layout. Questions to consider are:
- Do you need a water closet or privacy wall?
- How about a double vanity? Or a linen cabinet?
- Do you want a shower and a tub? A shower/tub combo? Or maybe you can skip the tub? What about a double shower?
- How much storage do you need? Planning doors and drawers are key to a good cabinet plan.
- Do you need any custom features? How about special plug-ins for drawers, lighted mirrors, or a bidet?
When planning the layout, make sure to research how much space you need around all your fixtures for people to move around comfortably. Don’t skimp on areas that really need extra space, like the toilet. Code is 15” on center, but we always recommend 18” if it works in the plan. Showerhead height, niches, and ease of entrance are essential to a functional shower.
For layout ideas, The Spruce has 15 common bathroom layouts to consider.
What’s Your Style and Color Palette?
Browse images on Houzz and Pinterest to get an idea of styles and color schemes that you like. Some popular bathroom design styles to consider are:
- Traditional or transitional
- Modern or contemporary
- Farmhouse
- Coastal
- Rustic
- Mediterranean
- Industrial
- Craftsman
Remember your new bathroom will need to flow with the rest of your home’s aesthetic. Unless you’re planning to update everything in your home and are starting with the bathroom to set the tone. You don’t want it to look jarring or out of place. For example, you may like cottage style but it won’t go with your contemporary style home.
Also, think about a color palette for the room. Do you like more neutral zen-like colors for a home spa feel? Or do you want to introduce more bold colors for an energizing effect? When in doubt a neutral pallet is always safe and you can then add more color and personality in accents like rugs, decor, and artwork.
Generally, you’ll want to think about having 3 main colors – primary, secondary, and accent colors. The 60-30-10 rule applies here with your primary color taking up 60% of the space, the secondary color taking up 30%, and the accent color taking up 10%.
A mood board is a really helpful tool to visualize the design elements and inspiration for your project.
What Materials, Fixtures, and Finishes Will Work best?
A key component of your remodel will be selecting all the materials, fixtures, and finishes that will go in your new bathroom. You’ll need to think about ventilation, drains, flooring, shower, tub, toilet, sinks, faucets, hardware, vanities, lighting, and more.
The ideal result when selecting these products will create a balance between function and design. You want all the products to work together aesthetically but you’ll also want to make sure they’re durable and designed to last.
Think about having one main focal point, like a stunning double shower or unique handcrafted vanity, rather than having too many competing elements.
Don’t forget to consider environmental factors and purchase WaterSense products. Products with a WaterSense label meet the EPA’s guidelines for performance and water efficiency. Using these products will allow you to save money on your utility bills while conserving water for the environment, all without sacrificing quality and performance. You can also save energy in your bathroom by installing energy-efficient lighting such as LED fixtures.
When you are selecting materials check the specifications for things like tile thickness, ratings for location use, need for sealants, etc. to be sure they’ll function well in the space. Don’t forget to include plenty of storage, outlets, and ample lighting with dimmers if needed.
Our remodeling guide is a great resource to help you get started.
How Do You Find the Right Professional Help?
To get the best outcome for your bathroom renovation you’ll want to talk to professionals early on in the process. Hiring the right professionals is one way to make sure your investment will last for the long term. The two types of professionals you’ll want to consider are a general contractor and an interior designer.
A general contractor is responsible for coordinating the construction of your new bathroom. They oversee the subcontractors involved in the project like plumbers, electricians, tile professionals, and fabricators.
An interior designer will create the design of the bathroom. They do more than select the right materials and products. They listen to your needs and priorities and create a design that balances beauty and functionality while keeping costs under control with your budget in mind.
Learn more about how contractors, interior designers, and architects work together for successful construction projects.
At Triple Heart Design, an interior design firm based in Austin, we specialize in bathroom renovations. With our expertise and proven track record, we help you with challenging questions like:
- What layout will work best?
- How to create a beautiful design that fits your style and is functional?
- How to choose the best products and materials for your needs?
- How to assemble and allocate your budget?
We know taking on any renovation project is stressful, so we’re here to put together a solid plan and guide you through the process each step of the way. With THD, you know you’ll love the final result.Excited to start your bathroom remodel? Contact us today to discuss your project.