The bathroom is one of the most common home upgrades people do. It’s a functional room that needs to be used every day so the fixtures are subject to wear and tear, and it can start to look dated or boring over time. That’s not to mention that an upgraded bathroom can add major resale value to your home! If you’re looking to upgrade, check out these tips for Bathroom Renovations.
Figure Out Your Budget
As with any home renovation project, your budget could skyrocket easily. You could spend anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000 on your bathroom, depending on what you want to upgrade and how upscale you want the finished product to look. It’s important to figure out how much you’re willing (and able!) to spend, and then figure out what you can accomplish for that budget. It might mean scaling back on the construction or splurging on one major item like countertops and being more frugal with things like lighting or decor.
Contractor vs. DIY
Another important thing to consider when planning the scope of your project and budget is whether you’ll hire a contractor, do it yourself, or a combination of the two. Contractors cost more money for labour, but can save you the stress and ensure it’ll be done correctly and up to code — always make sure you check the recent reviews for contractors and find someone reputable and insured! DIYs, on the other hand, will save you some money but can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve never done a reno before. It might be wise to figure out what parts of the project you can handle in-house, and hire contractors to handle the rest.
Plan Your Design
How extensive do you want your remodel to be? It could be a simple facelift, with new fixtures and some fresh paint, or a complete teardown. Figure out the scope of your renovation, and then you can start building a plan. Work out what you want done and how long it’ll take to complete. If you’re working with a designer or contractor, you can sketch out a realistic timeline and budget for your vision.
Think Twice About Plumbing
One way to save major money during your renovation? Leave the plumbing where it is. Rerouting pipes to change the location of your faucet or tub could cost a lot of money, take up a good chunk of time, and almost certainly require a plumber. If your bathroom layout is livable, it might be worth just putting a new bathtub or toilet in where the old one is. However, if the space isn’t working for you, and you need to move things around or expand, be prepared for a lot of extra work.
Maximize the Space
If you have a smaller bathroom, there are lots of ways to give the illusion that it’s larger. For example, you could forge cabinets for open shelving: it opens up the space, and can even add a pop of colour by showcasing towels, fancy soaps, or even a houseplant. You can also look into shelving above the toilet or add floating shelves to any open wall space.
Remember Resale Value
Even if you’re not planning on moving anytime soon, it’s worth remembering the changes you make can eventually impact the price of your home. One of the best things to do for resale value is add lighting — most bathroom light fixtures are functional over fashionable, and a bright and airy bathroom is a major selling point. You can also focus on the type of countertops you are using: something like granite might seem pricey, but it can add a ‘wow’ factor that attracts potential buyers.
Don’t Be Afraid of Having Fun!
Sure, the bathroom isn’t the most glamorous room in the house, but that doesn’t mean you need to have a boring design. Try adding pops of colour with an accent wall or even wallpaper and tie in design elements from hardware fixtures to shower curtains. Put your Pinterest account to good use and find all kinds of fun designs to take inspiration from!
Be Creative with Your Shopping
It doesn’t all have to come from Ikea! Try looking elsewhere for unique items, like antique stores for a vintage vanity or even Etsy for custom hardware knob. You can also take advantage of sites like eBay to get odd amounts of tiles — it might even save you money!
