Ultimate Guide on Bathroom Remodeling!

Friday, September 11, 2015

Bathrooms are one of the most popular and commonly remodeled rooms in the home. And since they are a high-traffic space (and one where updates are noticeable), doing so can have a significant effect on resale value.

When starting a bathroom remodeling project think about utility as well as design. Bathrooms are often difficult jobs because multiple components must be arranged to fit–and function–in a small space. There’s also multiple water elements so doing the project correctly, from plumbing to ventilation, is imperative.

Due to frequent use and the resulting wear and tear, bathrooms tend to start breaking down after about 20 years, whether that’s a perpetually leaky faucet or crumbling grout or chipping tiles (or all three). On average, bathroom remodels cost close to $17,000, so your design should be both intentional and strategic in order to secure a high return on investment. That said, bathrooms are typically small, enclosed rooms so they are also a place in your home where you can play around a little bit with color and texture.

Some of the most important things to keep in mind when considering different bathroom remodeling ideas are choosing materials that are easy to maintain, maximizing energy efficiency and focusing on brightness wherever possible

We’ve assembled our top bathroom design tips and advice to help you create your dream room on any budget.

Walls:
Tile is frequently used in bathrooms for many reasons. It’s aesthetically pleasing, it reflects light, it’s durable, it’s easy to clean and it’s a simple way to freshen up the space. And options abound for tile ideas, from material to implementation. Tile halfway up the wall to create wainscoting, use classic white subway tile, tile the entire wall, create a 4-6 inch border or combine multiple style elements using whichever material you like. Using tile is more expensive than painting, however, so if you’re on a budget either choose an iteration that doesn’t use a lot of it or just use paint. White and off-white are the most popular bathroom color ideas and neutral colors also help make the space feel calm and fresh.

Lighting:
Selecting the proper lighting in your bathroom is important because a light, bright room will feel bigger. Good lighting can transform the space and make all other design elements pop.

Flooring:
There are many options for bathroom flooring. In general, larger floor tiles and patterns are subtle and better for small bathrooms. Vinyl feels better on bare feet than ceramic tile and it’s one of the more popular flooring choices due to it being inexpensive and practical (safe, easy to install and maintain). One feature that buyers are looking for in today’s market is radiant heated flooring, which not only ensures warm feet in the colder months but also makes the floor dry faster, reducing the chance of slips or falls. It’s also energy efficient.

Showers/Tubs:
Though you might not want or even use a bath tub, every home should have one to appease buyers who dream of a spa tub or those with young children (or dogs!). Take advantage of the shower/tub area to define zones in the room and create an accent wall by changing up the tile you use.

Whether your remodeling or creating a new bathroom in your dream home, Marcus Lumber has cabinet design and flooring experts, as well as a full service plumbing department to help you make it happen. From flooring to faucets we have dozens of bathroom displays in our store and would love to help you out!