5 Bathroom Remodeling Tips And Tricks

5 Bathroom Remodeling Tips And Tricks

After the kitchen, the bathroom is the next most complicated room in the home. There are many details to think about with this project, which can make planning difficult. With these five tips and tricks, you can take the stress out of the planning process so your remodeling project goes smoothly.

1. The Tub or Shower Is the Centerpiece — Don’t Hesitate to Splurge!

Because tubs and showers are the largest fixture in most bathrooms, they tend to take center stage. Even if you are planning on a budget remodel, you’ll find that it pays to give these fixtures a bit of special attention. The options available will depend on your budget, of course, but here are a few ideas to help you get inspired, no matter how much you plan to spend on a tub or shower update:

  • If you’d like to keep costs low, consider replacing the essentials — the faucet, showerhead and other hardware. Sometimes, replacing hardware that looks worn and aged is all you need to give your shower or tub a fresh look.
  • Among mid-range projects, shower door replacement (or installation, if you currently have curtains) is a great way to update the look and feel of your bathroom.
  • Tub or shower replacement is a project at the costlier end of the spectrum. Though if the fixture is showing its age through stains, hairline cracks or other faults, then this project will be well worth your while. You’ll need to take a few factors into consideration — such as potential bathroom reconfigurations to accommodate a tub or shower in a new size or shape — but the result will give you a modern, functional and beautiful bathroom.

2. Get Inspired!

Today, there are so many ways to find inspiration for a bathroom remodel. Of course, the Internet is an excellent resource, filled with remodeling blogs, image galleries, contractor portfolios and more — all of which are great ways to get ideas and look at elements such as color schemes, lighting configurations and more.

Beyond online galleries, however, there is another resource of which you should take advantage. Whenever possible, make sure to visit showroom floors. At Sanix Way, for instance, our showroom in North Hollywood displays a wide selection of products and fixtures you can see in person. This is a great way to get inspiration. More importantly, a hands-on look at the fixtures you are considering will help you decide which pieces are the best fit for your needs and personal taste.

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3. Learn About Standard Bathroom Dimensions

Planning can be tough, especially if you are thinking about moving the major fixtures from their original places. As you lay out your new bathroom on paper, it is essential that you know what some of the most common standard bathroom dimensions are. Here is a quick list to get you started:

  • Toilets require a space that is at least 30 inches wide, although wider — up to 36 inches — tends to feel more comfortable.
  • Though bathtubs vary, a standard off-the-shelf bathtub measures 60 inches in length by 30 or 32 inches in width. Depths can vary, ranging between 14 and 20 inches.
  • Sinks need at least 30 inches of space but keep in mind that those 30 inches will leave you with very little counter space; 36 inches or 48 inches is better.

4. Create an Exhaustive Remodeling Plan

Once you have ideas, dimensions and other details in hand, it is time to make a thorough bathroom remodeling plan. Start by making a list of the individual projects that you’d like to take on — anything from a new medicine cabinet or towel racks to painting, lighting and new fixtures. You’ll also want to make lists of suppliers, prices and even contractors that you’d like to contact about the project.

Another great way to plan is to make a blueprint of your bathroom. It doesn’t need to be a complex technical drawing. Simply use some graph paper to draw the general outline of the space, then sketch the fixtures as you’d like to see them once the project is complete. This will help you to ensure that the bathroom comes together exactly as you envision it. Just make sure that as you take measurements, you don’t forget about features such as dividing walls and other often overlooked details that can alter your measurements.

5. Don’t Forget the Details

Speaking of details, you’ll also want to go through your bathroom plans and make sure that you aren’t forgetting anything. Lighting, for instance, is usually overlooked. Homeowners sometimes simply replace existing light fixtures with new fixtures, instead of thinking how the lighting in the bathroom might be moved to increase the room’s functionality or sense of spaciousness. Some other details to consider include:

  • Electrical outlets and light switches and their placement.
  • Grout, caulk and other sealants, both colors and finishes.
  • Hardware — especially coordinating cabinet knobs, drawer pulls, light fixtures, towel racks and faucets so that colors and finishes match.

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Get Inspired!

Today, there are so many ways to find inspiration for a bathroom remodel. Of course, the Internet is an excellent resource, filled with remodeling blogs, image galleries, contractor portfolios and more — all of which are great ways to get ideas and look at elements such as color schemes, lighting configurations and more. Beyond online galleries, however, there is another resource of which you should take advantage. Whenever possible, make sure to visit showroom floors. At Sanix Way, for instance, our showroom in North Hollywood displays a wide selection of products and fixtures you can see in person. This is a great way to get inspiration. More importantly, a hands-on look at the fixtures you are considering will help you decide which pieces are the best fit for your needs and personal taste.