Renovating a bathroom can be an exciting project, but it requires careful planning to ensure functionality and style. Here are some must-haves for your bathroom remodel and a few things you should avoid.
Must-Haves for a Bathroom Remodel
- Good Ventilation
- Ensuring your bathroom has proper ventilation is crucial. A good exhaust fan helps remove unwanted odors and, more importantly, eliminates moisture, keeping your bathroom fresh and preventing mold growth. However, avoid fans that are too quiet as you may forget to turn them off, leading to loss of cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter.
- Effective Lighting
- Variety in Lighting Options:Utilize modern lighting options for different needs. Bright lighting over the bathtub is essential, but consider installing dimmable lights so you can create a relaxing ambiance when soaking in the tub.
- Shower Lighting:Ensure there’s adequate lighting inside the shower to help keep the area clean and safe.
- LED Mirrors:Mirrors with LED lighting are fantastic for grooming tasks like shaving and makeup application.
- Avoid Recessed Lighting Over Vanity:Instead of recessed lights over the vanity, opt for sconces or a combination of mirror lighting and above-vanity lights.
- Color Temperature:Aim for a color temperature between 3000K and 3500K for bathroom lighting. This range provides a warm yet bright light that’s flattering and practical.
- Countertops and Storage
- Quartz Countertops:Quartz is a durable and low-maintenance option for bathroom countertops, easy to clean and resistant to stains.
- Full Vanity:If space allows, a full vanity is preferable as it provides ample storage space and conceals unsightly plumbing pipes.
- Shower Drain Placement
- If budget permits, position the shower drain close to the wall where the showerhead is located. Although center drains are more common and easier for installers, wall drains are more aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to stand on.
- Grout Selection
- Urethane Grout:Use urethane grout for both floors and walls. It doesn’t require sealing, is resistant to cracking due to its anti-fracture properties, and is easy to clean.
- Tile to Ceiling:If your budget allows, tile all the way to the ceiling in the shower area for a polished and luxurious look.
Things to Avoid in a Bathroom Remodel
- Floating or Furniture Vanities on Exterior or Shared Walls
- These can complicate plumbing and may not be as stable or secure.
- Large Glossy Tiles on the Shower Floor
- These can be slippery when wet and pose a safety risk.
- Very Quiet Ceiling Fans
- As mentioned earlier, extremely quiet fans might be forgotten and left on, wasting energy.
- Fixed Glass Panels on the Shower Head Side
- These can make cleaning and reaching the showerhead more difficult.
- Installing Only Recessed Lights Above Vanity
- This lighting setup can cast shadows on your face, making grooming tasks harder. Instead, combine recessed lights with sconces or mirror lighting.
- Large Grout Lines in the Shower
- Larger grout lines can accumulate dirt and be harder to clean.
- Traditional Cement Grout
- Traditional cement grout requires regular sealing and is prone to cracking and staining. Opt for urethane grout instead.