A bath remodel is one of the best home improvements you can make that pays off when you sell the house. Considering how much time we spend in the bathroom, it’s one of the best upgrades you can make for yourself and your family too.
Are you thinking about remodeling, but you don’t know which bathroom design is right for you? Do you know the best ways to maintain your new bathroom after the remodel?
Here are our top tips for creating and maintaining a beautiful bathroom.
How to Design a Beautiful Bathroom
The first step in any remodel or renovation is to assess what works and what doesn’t in this area. Is it a lack of storage that results in cluttered countertops and frustrated family members? Maybe it’s an ugly shower you’re tired of seeing.
Decide what you want to change first. If you’re not sure, here are some of the most common upgrades.
Flooring
Updating the flooring can do wonders for your bathroom. Changing the flooring is one of the most common home renovations and easy enough that most people can DIY it.
The best flooring options for bathrooms are materials that can handle high levels of moisture and humidity. Porcelain and ceramic tile are very popular, for instance.
These choices all work in the bathroom:
- Porcelain
- Ceramic
- Vinyl
- Natural stone
- Laminate
Even engineered wood can work in a bathroom, although any wood product is prone to moisture damage. If you like the look of wood, consider tile that mimics the look of natural wood. Wood-look porcelain or ceramic tile is far less maintenance and less prone to moisture damage.
Layout
Even a small bathroom can work well with an efficient layout. If the current layout of your bathroom is the problem, you can move elements of the bathroom around.
Most home designs feature a one, two, or three-wet-wall layout. In a one-wet-wall layout, your shower, toilet, and sink are all against that wall.
You can move plumbing fixtures, but it will cost you somewhere around $500-$1,000 or so to move it three feet or more. Call your plumber to get an estimate and see how much it might cost you.
Storage
Hairdryers, curling irons, hair care products, shavers, toothbrushes—all these common bathroom products take up space. We rely on them to get ready in the morning, but sometimes you simply don’t have the room to store it all.
If you have a pedestal sink, consider upgrading to a vanity. You can also add cabinets or shelves or build your own storage solution around the sink.
Bathroom storage racks and cabinets come in a variety of colors and sizes these days, and you can quickly store clutter. Another classic solution is to buy a medicine cabinet with a mirror to store items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, combs, q-tips, and more.
Updated Fixtures
Fixtures include everything from your bathtub and toilet to the lighting and faucets. How many fixtures you should update depends on your preferences, how well that aspect of the bathroom works for you, and whether or not you’re tired of the way it looks.
For instance, upgrading the mirrors and lighting in the bathroom can modernize the room. Getting a new bathroom vanity can give you more storage space.
Upgrading your shower system provides you with a stylish and functional shower area. Even changing out the shower hardware can make a huge difference.
If you have a small budget, consider a new coat of paint, updating the flooring (vinyl is budget-friendly), and installing new bathroom hardware. Changing out the lighting fixture is also an easy task, and it can make a huge difference, bringing more light into the room and updating the space.
How to Maintain Your Bathroom
Now that you know how to design a beautiful bathroom, how can you keep it that way?
Regular cleaning is a must, but choosing low-maintenance materials and designs makes this part easy. Choose integral sinks, which make wiping messes into the sink easy and painless. A flush-to-wall toilet hides all the plumbing and waste pipes and also removes the small space behind the toilet that’s difficult to clean.
Create a cleaning schedule and tell your kids how to clean up after themselves to keep messes to a minimum.
Your daily cleaning checklist should include decluttering countertops, for example. Weekly cleaning should involve disinfecting the toilet, sanitizing the sink, mopping the floor, and so on. Keeping up with this cleaning schedule ensures your bathroom stays looking pristine.
Another crucial part is to keep up with regular bathroom maintenance. Some tasks you can handle yourself, such as a minor clog in the toilet, while other issues can hint at more serious problems. Leaky pipes, a running toilet, and dripping faucets are all examples.
Ignoring these issues not only results in a higher water bill but could also lead to stains and damaged walls or flooring. For instance, a leaky pipe can result in structural damage.
If there’s a bathroom plumbing or repair issue, call a local plumber immediately. Ignoring these issues can result in unsightly stains and costly repairs.
The Importance of Maintaining Your Bathroom
You might think that regular deep cleaning isn’t really necessary or that a dripping faucet isn’t a cause for concern. However, regularly checking for issues and keeping your bathroom clean have many benefits.
For one, wiping down surfaces prevents dust and mold growth, both of which can affect individuals with breathing problems such as asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, and so on.
Bacteria and viruses also exist on your bathroom surfaces, which can make people sick.
Ignoring leaks can result in mold and mildew, in addition to leading to costly repairs when ignored.
Create a Beautiful Bathroom
Use these tips to design your dream bathroom, and make sure to keep it clean by performing regular cleaning and maintenance. If you do, you’ll have a beautiful bathroom for years to come.
Are you interested in more tips on making the most of your home? Check out some of our other posts for inspiration.
