So, you’ve decided you want (or need) to remodel your bathroom. Congrats! There’s nothing quite like the feeling of stepping into a sparkling new room for the first time as you prepare to have your first bath in the new suit, and you’ll be surprised at the extent it’ll enhance the look, feel, and value of your home.
That said, there are a lot of tough decisions to make with bathroom remodel work, and it can be hard to decide how much money to spend, what sort of theme to go for, how or if you should change the layout, and so on.
This article is here to get you started with each of those elements. Here’s bathroom remodelling in a nutshell!
Determining Your Budget
Determining the right budget for your remodel is often the hardest part. Bathrooms are expensive – probably the most expensive room in your house, next to your kitchen – so you need to think long and hard about how much you realistically have to spend.
Of course, your fixtures are going to be the most expensive element, and they’re also what you want to prioritize first. Once you’ve settled on fixtures that exhibit the quality and style you need, you’ll next want to consider flooring – the second most important place to focus your money. For other things like furniture, paint, and decorations, you can afford to spend less.
Aside from the money spent on the bathroom itself, you’ll also need to consider any labor costs and if there are repairs that need doing. It can help to plan things out on an Excel spreadsheet or spider diagram, and don’t foget to add an extra 15% to account for anything unexpected.
About the Layout
The bathroom layout is something you’ll need to work closely with your plumbers on. Decide where the fixtures are going first, and then think about whether you have enough storage based on where you’ve placed them.
You’ll also have to be wary of the existing plumbing: even if the layout you’ve chosen works really well, it might not be feasible without rerouting all of your pipes, which may not be an expense you can shoulder.
On Styling
Styling is really up to you, but it’s best to take a hierarchical approach. After choosing your fixtures, you’ll need to ensure everything else blends in appropriately with them. The flooring you choose is perhaps the most variable part. Tiles always look great and are the most hardest-wearing, but they’re also the most expensive, so you might want to consider a versatile laminate which looks the part but doesn’t break the bank. Whatever you choose, just make sure it matches the style of your fixtures.
When it comes to paint, it’s key to consider it alongside lighting: get your lighting installed first so that you can then bring in color cards and see what fits (and don’t forget to test colors both during the day and at night for a true representation).
Wrapping Up
There’s much more to consider beyond the above, of course, but it’s a start. Take things one step at a time and don’t rush, and you’ll be bathing in bliss before you know it!
