Bathroom remodeling either fills you with thoughts of clean, gleaming white surfaces or of a half-assembled disaster. Maybe both images are true.

How Far Do You Want to Go?

  • Surface Alterations. At the easy end of the scale, you may like the general layout and size of the bathroom and the structure supporting the bathroom. The mantra of the surface-level bathroom remodeler is cover, not replace. There is no shame at all in wanting to do a surface-level bathroom remodel.
  • Change Layout. More difficult: the structural elements are still fine and you want to make surface alterations, but you also want to change the layout around.
  • Complete Tear-Out/Remodel. Now we’re at the end of the difficult scale. You want to do all of the above, but 50 years of accumulated moisture has rotted away the joists and wall studs, and the window is falling out.

At this point, too, consider the general timetable for bathroom remodeling and decide if this is something you think you want to go through.

Finance Your Project

Even though most bathrooms are small, the cost comes from the intensive amount of sub-contracting you may have to do (plumbers, electricians) and the expensive elements involved (fixtures, cabinetry, etc.). While looking at financing, you may wish to also think about ways to save on your bathroom remodeling costs.

Do-it-Yourself or Hire a Professional?

At this point, you need to take a good hard look at the project and decide if you can do it yourself or if you need to hire a professional. Safe to say, if you are motivated and are merely performing surface alterations, you should be able to remodel the bathroom yourself. Not all tasks are created equal. Installing a new toilet is simple; building a new tiled shower should be left to the professionals. Assess which projects to do yourself and which to leave to the professionals.

  • Contractor Licenses. If you do intend to hire a contractor, one of the first things you’ll want to do is make sure the contractor is properly licensed. Licensure is not a mark of quality workmanship, though. It just means that they have fulfilled the basic minimum requirements of the licensing agency.
  • Permits. Electrical, building, and other permits may be required. Apply for permits early.

Changing the Layout of Your Bathroom

If you’re remodeling a bedroom and wish to change the layout, it’s not so bad. You move a closet here, push back a wall there. But with bathrooms, you’re not just dealing with the visible elements; you’re dealing with the underlying structure of plumbing and electrical system. Layout changes, such as switching toilet and shower, drive up the cost of bathroom remodeling in a big hurry, so consider carefully.

Shower and Tub Repair, Refinishing, or Replacement

The shower, tub, or shower/tub combination is the heart of the bathroom. For many people, this may be the entire reason for the bathroom remodel.
If the worst thing is a few cracks, it is possible to self-repair your acrylic or fiberglass shower/tub for very little money. For many homeowners, though, the surface might be stained and discolored, so tub refinishing would be in order.

Bathroom Flooring

Moisture is the culprit in bathrooms, so you can’t just choose any kind of flooring. Carefully weigh your entire bathroom flooring options. A perennial favorite is ceramic tile, but laminate flooring and engineered flooring also do the trick. Whatever you do, avoid hardwood flooring, as it does not tolerate moisture well.

Bathroom Remodeling Pricing, Cost Estimates and Research

In most recent times, homeowners are investing a lot of money into searching for ways to improve their bathrooms and create a more comfortable, functional feel. After all, the craziness surrounding our every day lives makes the time in the bathroom some of your only personal time. It seems reasonable to want your bathroom to be soothing, rejuvenating, and practical. Bathroom remodeling is a wonderful way to add value to your home and pleasure to your hectic life. With so many aspects to consider, such as cabinets, faucets and fixtures, flooring, toilets, vanities, showers and bath tubs, bathroom remodeling can often be very overwhelming

Bathroom Design

The design of your new bathroom is where you should start your planning. Sometimes it is a great idea to hire a bathroom designer to help you optimize your limited space. If you do plan to design your bathroom yourself, make sure to think about the amount of time you spend in your bathroom each day and use this as a way to rate what needs to be upgraded the most. For example, the more time you spend, the more space you need. To add to your comfort, consider knocking down a wall and creating more room. Keep in mind that an estimated 80-85% of what you put into your bathroom remodeling, you get back when you sell. In addition to more space, think about installing fog free mirrors, heated floors, or a beautiful whirlpool.

Once you have successfully decided on your new bathroom design, the challenging decisions arise. It is time to start selecting color schemes, vanities, cabinets and counters, single or double bathroom sinks, bath tubs and every other element that helps set the tone of your bathroom. The bathroom tile may be one of your most difficult decisions solely due to the vast amount of styles, colors, and sizes to choose from. Larger tiles are becoming more and more popular; however, they require the underlayment to be very level. Mosaic tiles, one inch tiles, are another break through in bathroom designs. Mosaics come in countless colors and allow you to create your own custom floor design.

Bathtubs and Showers

Choosing a new bath tub is one of the more exciting remodeling decisions. Maybe you simply wish to improvement the look and feel of your old tub by covering it with a new shell. Whatever it is, don’t be afraid to pamper yourself, but be smart about where you pamper yourself. Sometimes it is a better idea to upgrade your shower, something you use two-three times a day, as opposed to investing money into a tub that might just sit there unused. Showers are becoming more and more attractive with new technology. Your shower can be turned into a steam room, stimulate hydro massages, and for your convenience they now come in multiple shower heads.

Bathroom Fixtures

A lot of creativity can go into these three essential bathroom elements. Above counter sinks seem to be the new trend for bathrooms. They perform a practical function and can be viewed as art at the same time. Above or beneath, you still need to select the material/s that your sink will be made of. Generally, sinks can be made from stone, marble, glass, copper, and stainless steel. The material you choose will depend much on the overall appearance you are looking for. The same holds true for the vanity you select. Your bathroom scheme will be revealed through the material your vanity is made of. Faucets, on the other hand, function differently depending on what material they are made from.

Make Your Small Bathroom Look and Feel Larger

If you don’t live in a custom-built home with a luxurious bath and dressing room, you probably wish your bathroom were larger. Without adding any more square footage, you might feel less cramped if you use these tips to make your small bathroom look and feel larger.
It’s true that a small bathroom can feel cozy and intimate. But it can also feel claustrophobic and depressing. Depending on your decorating style, it can be quiet and sophisticated, charming, or sparkling like a jewel box.
No matter what style you decorate your small bath; it will always be a small bath.
But with a bit of visual magic, color change, and lighting, you can transform your small bath into a cozy retreat.

Select Colors for Serenity

Pale, soft color schemes tend to give the illusion of more space. Use the bright colors for accessories and towels, but select pastel tones, neutrals, and whites for backgrounds.

Trade a Large Vanity for a Delicate Pedestal Sink

A vanity cabinet provides nice storage under a sink, but takes up lots of floor space in a small bath. Replacing the vanity with a pedestal or wall-mounted sink can be fairly inexpensive. Your bath will definitely feel more open. Find alternative storage space with a small shelf or organize a nearby linen closet. When you remove the vanity cabinet, you’ll probably have to repair the flooring.

Cut Back Anything That Sticks Out

Even the smallest piece of furniture or accessory that sticks out into the room can stop where your eye goes and make your room seem to “shrink”. Remove wall shelves, hanging racks, or decorative accessories on the walls that cut into the room and make it look smaller. Of course, you may need some of the pieces for comfort and their usefulness, but if the room feels bigger without them, think of some other way to supply the space you need.