Bathroom Renovations: How to Get Your Perfect Space

Ever since you’ve purchased your Toronto home, the bathroom has been an eyesore that you’ve simply lived with. The faucets are old and splutter when you turn them on. The rose-coloured tile looks like it’s circa-1972. The bathtub is cramped and cracking. Speaking of cramped, the vanity has no counter space! There’s only one sink and the whole layout of the bathroom is so badly designed that you and your spouse conduct an out-and-out battle for room as you both struggle to get ready for work in the morning.

Enough is enough! After putting up with this for years, the two of you decide that it’s time to remodel the bathroom. You’ve looked at photos online and flipped through lifestyle magazines—you want one of those bathrooms. One with faucets that work in expected ways when you turn them on. A shower with a luxurious massaging head. A bathtub that you can actually relax in when you want to soak. Storage—proper storage so that you can find things! A layout that will allow for more space and ease of use. Most of all, you want your bathroom to feel good. To have good energy. To look like a spa.

But where do you start? Bathroom renovations can seem so overwhelming. The idea of disrupting your home and your life by ripping a major room in your house apart and rendering it unusable for weeks—it’s a scary prospect. How do you even begin?

A Simple Answer: Planning, Planning, Planning

The best and most smoothly-run home improvement projects come out of careful planning. This means that you can’t simply rush headlong into bathroom renovations, making decisions on the fly. You need to consider every aspect of the project before you start. You also need to make sure that everything is ready before you begin.

Consider Your Needs

First things first: what do you need to get out of a bathroom renovation? Do you need more space and better organization? Do you need an improved layout? Are there certain parts of it that are old, broken down, and in definite need of replacement? The first stage of planning is to figure out your “musts” for the project.

There are several questions you should ask yourself when deciding on the “musts” for the project. How many adults will be using the space at any one time? How old are the kids who will be using the bathroom? What activities apart from the usual bathroom activities will be taking place? Will the dresser be incorporated into the bathroom? Do family members prefer showers or baths? Do you require more counter space or 2 vanity sinks? You should then make adjustments accordingly.

As an example, if you have kids, high-end plumbing fixtures that will not hold up to pulling and yanking are a waste of money The faucets will have to be easy to turn on and off and they should be easy to maintain.

Come up with a Number

The next step is to come up with a number. What can you afford to spend? Once you’ve settled on a budget, look at your musts and figure out how you can accomplish those while staying within your budget.

Consider Your Wants

After you’ve laid out your absolute must-haves and your budget, you can consider the things you’d like to have. Maybe it’s a jetted tub, a special light fixture, or basin sinks. Pick one splurge item that will make your bathroom something special. If you spend extra money all over the place, you’re going to quickly blow your budget. By allowing yourself one special item to spend on, you’ll control costs while still getting a bathroom that will make you happy.

Don’t Compromise on Quality

While you want to control costs, be careful to install materials that are high-quality. It will only waste money later if you have to go back and replace them. Ensure that any items you use are meant to be used in a bathroom (so they’ll hold up to exposure to heat and moisture without issue). This is especially important with flooring, wooden materials, and lighting fixtures.

Time

Many people underestimate the amount of time it takes to remodel a bathroom. It is not necessarily the case that a remodel will only take a few days. The amount of time the project consumes depends on such factors as the number of things you are changing, the time it will take to order and purchase materials, the time taken to get the necessary approvals, the time taken to make custom cabinets, vanities, and other pieces, and the capabilities of your contractor. If you want to take time off work for the project, talk to your contractor for a clear picture of how long the project is projected to take, factoring in unforeseen circumstances.

Work sequence

It is important that the sequence given by the contractor is followed to the latter as this will help save time and you will avoid making costly mistakes. As an example, repainting, demolition of sheetrock, and most other tasks should always start at the top of the room. The remodel should start at the ceiling, followed by the walls, and then the floors. This helps prevent damage to new components.

Factor in the dimensions

The 3 major limitations that impact available space are the overall size of the bathroom, the location of existing electrical wiring and plumbing pipes, and the typical dimensions of bathroom fixtures like toilets and tubs. Ensure you have the correct measurements and specifications before you start shopping to avoid buying stuff that won’t fit.

Ventilation

Poor ventilation in the bathroom leads to mold and mildew growth as well as water damage to floors, walls, and ceilings. Choose the right fan and install it at the ideal location. Ensure you have working windows to complement the fan.

Additional Bathroom Features

Other than conventional plumbing features and fixtures like the tub, toilet, bidet, faucets, sink, and showerheads, it may be desirable to incorporate features and fixtures to support other activities in the bathroom. Consider such fixtures as magazine racks, upholstered chairs or loveseats, TV or stereo systems built into the cabinetry, heated towel racks, expanded windows or skylights for more natural light, and Japanese-style screening in walls that separate the toilet from the rest of the bathroom for privacy and for a space that fees open.

Working with a professional is a huge help in the bathroom remodeling process as they can answer all of your questions and guide you on your journey. Give the team at Kitchen and Bath a call at 905 581-3762 and consult with one of their experts to get started.

Bathroom Renovations: How to Get Your Perfect Space