If you’re thinking about remodeling your bathroom sometime in the near future, planning out your project well in advance is the best thing you can do to ensure that you’re completely satisfied with your finished room — and not just right now, but for years to come. Bathroom remodeling projects can be expensive, but many homeowners find that with some planning and budgeting, bathroom remodeling projects can actually offer a great return on investment.
In fact, bathroom renovations are the most popular choice for home renovations projects today: about 78% of all home renovations include repairs or additions to at least one bathroom, and a recent Houzz survey found that around 60% of all homeowners plan on remodeling their master bathroom soon.
And because your new bathroom is something that should last a while, there are two very important things to consider: quality, and style.
While the trendiest patterns and cheapest fixtures may seem like great options in the present moment, it’s essential that you focus on high quality materials that will last, along with colors and designs that fit your personal style.
If you still feel a bit overwhelmed by it all, here are a few design tips and bathroom remodeling ideas that will help you figure out how to incorporate new trends and designs into a classic look that will never go out of style:
”Old” Is the New “New”: You can’t go wrong with vintage styles, especially when it comes to designing your bathroom. It’s easy to find small fixtures, like kitchen and bathroom faucets, that have a retro look and a reasonable price. If you aren’t sure you want your entire bathroom to look like it belongs in the 1950s, think about choosing one major feature, like a freestanding bathtub, for a pop of vintage style.- Try a Tub: Sure, nearly 80% of homeowners prefer glass-enclosed showers over other types of bathtubs and showers, but this is mostly because showers save space and frosted glass doors are easy to clean. It’s a good idea to focus on bathroom remodeling projects which will have a big return on investment and which will be viewed as assets when you decide to sell your house — but it’s just as important to think about the features that you can enjoy now. And is there really anything better than relaxing in a cozy bathtub at the end of a long day?
- Metallic Hues: This is a design tip that can easily backfire, but when used in moderation, metallic hues can be a great feature for a bathroom. Metallic accent tiles can provide a little bit of color to a boring tile floor, and colors like gold or bronze can add some warmth to a bathroom filled with porcelain fixtures. If you’re going for a modern look, silver fixtures look sleek and work well with any color or pattern combination.
- Keep It Simple, But Splurge on Something: You don’t have to spend a fortune on one bathroom remodeling project, and you don’t have to overboard with fancy tile patterns or wall accents. Cleanliness and organization are really the two most important features of any bathroom, and there’s nothing wrong with purchasing fixtures primarily because they’re easy to clean. But with all of that being said, don’t forget to spend a little extra money on something that you’ll enjoy! Maybe you want to have warm tiles to step onto during those cold winter mornings, or maybe you want to look at a bathtub that can double as an indoor jacuzzi. One standout feature can really improve an entire bathroom.
- Lighting Is a Top Priority: Let’s just be honest here: there’s nothing more frustrating than a poorly-lit bathroom. Maybe you want to install a big window to let in some natural light (don’t worry, frosted glass panes are always options if your neighbors’ houses are just a little too close), or maybe you want to look for a variety of different lighting styles and strengths so that you can have bright white light to help you wake up in the morning and dim light to help you fall asleep at night.
- Pick Out Appliances and Designs That You’ll Find Soothing: The modern trend of silver-everything may be a great style for a bachelor pad bathroom, but don’t feel obligated to opt for ultra-modern styles that make your bathroom look cold and unwelcoming. Something like a black toilet, for example, may be considered trendy now, and it certainly may evoke some interesting comments from your friend, family, and even the plumbing company that comes to help with your bathroom remodeling project. But in a couple of decades, it’s likely that black toilets will no longer have the cool, modern effect that was originally intended (think about how quickly shag rugs and wood-paneled walls fell out of style, and yet they’re still everywhere because home remodeling results are intended to last for years.)Keep in mind that no two bathrooms are exactly alike, and no two people have the same personal styles, so there isn’t one trend or bathroom renovation design that will always be the best choice. The most important thing to keep in mind during any bathroom remodeling job is that you’re investing in a space that you want to feel comfortable in; design trends will come and go, but as long as you’re happy with the space you’ve created, that’s really all that matters.
And if you need some help planning your next bathroom remodeling or home renovation project, don’t forget to contact a local plumbing company for extra advice on the custom plumbing work that can add some extra pizzazz to your new bathroom. St. Louis homeowners are turning to companies that function as plumbing services and general contractors — more so than ever before — because it’s the best way to ensure that every remodeling project is complete and affordable.
”Old” Is the New “New”: You can’t go wrong with vintage styles, especially when it comes to designing your bathroom. It’s easy to find small fixtures, like kitchen and bathroom faucets, that have a retro look and a reasonable price. If you aren’t sure you want your entire bathroom to look like it belongs in the 1950s, think about choosing one major feature, like a freestanding bathtub, for a pop of vintage style.