h, yes. Your favorite room in the house. The one place that we both start our day in and end our day in - well, besides the bedroom. The only place you can go in your home to hear your own thoughts and get your much needed alone time. The place you can go and close your eyes and be instantly transported to a spa.
But, what if we told you that you don’t have to close your eyes. What if we told you that it is possible to turn your bathroom into your own personal oasis. That’s right, we’re talking to you. We know that your bathroom is more than just a place to use the shower and toilet. Even on a budget, it is possible to transform your bathroom into a space that makes you feel like a king/queen after a long hard day of work. We believe your bathroom should be compatible with your needs and wants.
Nowadays, most of us spend the majority of our time at home between work-from-home and online schooling. Now more than ever is the time to make your home the one that works for you, not the one you have to work around.
So, whether you are buying, selling, or staying you may want to look into remodeling your master bathroom. Consider this article an advice guide on how to get started.
If you’re happy with your shower, but not with the limited space to place your razors, products, shower drink, or whatever you may bring in - no judgment - we have just the thing for you! A shower niche gives you a cave to place your things without taking up extra space in the shower. It’s cleaner and more elegant looking than using the shower corners and you’re less likely to knock your soap over and have to go fishing for it. The best thing about a shower niche is that you get to customize it! So, be thoughtful when designing it. We would hate to see that your shampoo bottles are too tall for the design or that you have to bend over to get your soap. Don’t worry if you’re working with a budget. Between labor and materials, the typical shower niche is far under 1k.
(Re)installing new tile into your shower instantly sophisticates the bathroom and evokes an element of cleanliness. Tile is the easiest way to notice that your shower is aging. If you see yellow grout in the nooks and crannies of the tile, it’s time for an upgrade! In fact, any discoloration in your shower tile is a red flag that your bathroom is in desperate need of saving.
However, reinstalling tile in the shower is not a beginners-type project. There is a lot you have to know and be prepared to deal with when it comes to potential water damage in the shower tiles. If you are a beginner and not yet equipped to take on this big of a project - fear not - you can try a waterproof laminate kit instead! This option is not only less prone to error but kinder on the wallet.
Your bathroom is usually the first place you go after getting out of bed in the morning. It’s where you inspect the pores on your face, where you search for gray hairs, where you go to get clean and feel clean. If your bathroom is dark and dingy then it is actively resisting your bathroom needs, and probably not a space you want to be in.
The solution to your problem is easy: light. I mean this quite literally - as in lightbulbs - but also figuratively as in white or offwhite accents. Sure, your bathroom may be windowless, the furniture in your bathroom may have a dark finish, even the walls may be a dark color. But, all of this can be easily and economically fixed with the right light fixture/light bulb and the right accessories.
First, you may want to replace your old and dirty bath mats and shower curtains, with fresh clean, light colored ones. Instantly, the room feels cleaner and lighter. Besides, white goes with everything and can add a subtle contrast!
Next, you may want to replace your light bulbs. If you find that the color of something in your bathroom is not the same color you see when you go outside, it is time for a change. Or, if everything in your bathroom has a dim yellow/orange hue, it is time to part ways with your lightbulb. A soft white light is flattering for the bathroom and creates an inviting atmosphere. We recommend using one that is long-lasting, doesn’t use much energy, and is safe in humid atmospheres - like this one. The key here is to strike a balance between bright and flattering.
Cool-toned lights - which are higher in Kelvins (K) - will elicit a cool, crisp, natural feel in comparison to a warmer tone which may resemble the ambiance of a poorly lit school cafeteria. We also recommend opting for a dimmable light. They are preferable because you may want a bright light for applying makeup or shaving, but not for your mid-night trip to the bathroom when your eyes are well-adjusted to the dark.
When it comes to remodeling your bathroom floors, sometimes it is the minor details that make all of the difference. Shower drains may not seem all that important, but the wrong shower drain can disrupt your showers sense of sanitation and the overall style of your bathroom. Consider switching to a square shower drain in a finish that matches your shower hardware. Another option is to get a shower drain that actually blends in with the tile in the shower – sleek, right?
For those of you living in colder climates, consider elevating your bathroom floors with heated tile. You may be thinking this step seems a bit excessive and unnecessary, especially if you live in a warmer climate. But, for those of you whose tile floors get really cold, this renovation is a must have! Never again will you have to search frantically for your fuzzy slippers just so you can walk on the chilling bathroom floor. To see if this renovation fits into your remodel budget, use this calculator. Also, keep in mind that the price of heated flooring can go down depending on the size and shape of your bathroom and also if you choose to install it yourself (which you totally can).
Shelves are a secret weapon. They are a 4 for 1 deal. From just one set of shelves, you elevate the appearance of your bathroom, use up empty wall space, save much-needed ground space, and get organized.
Wall shelves are more than just a surface to place something on. They are in and of themselves, decor. Use a special wood that matches your other appliances, a special paint that ties in with your bed and bath, or add bronze or silver accents. They can be placed next to the shower, above the toilet, or anywhere where you have empty space.
Critics of shelves believe it is neater to have belongings stored behind cabinets. But cabinets don’t let you find a wicker basket for your rolled up towels, a framed picture to display, a vase of flowers to sit out, a beautiful glass storage container, etc. With the shelves, you can get creative, decorate, and keep things off of the floor. The shelves being exposed, we argue, is a great incentive to make sure that you do keep things tidy and organized.
Have you ever fantasized about soaking in one of those lavish, deep freestanding baths with the claw feet and gold accents, while sipping on a glass of wine and nourishing your skin with a face mask? The ultimate form of relaxation.
If your answer is yes, then we don’t need to sell you on them. What we would like to tell you, instead, is that advances in manufacturing have made freestanding bathtubs more affordable.
If your answer is no, then hear us out. Most homes come with at least one bathroom that has a built in bathtub. The large majority of these bathtubs are not large enough for a grown adult, and even if they are they take up the whole side of a wall and cannot be rearranged at your convenience. The crevices they make at the connections with the wall leave attractive spots for grout and mold to grow, and you constantly find yourself breaking your back trying to clean them.
With a freestanding tub, all of your problems disappear. You can pick out your tub from a wide array of designs – rectangle, oval, you name it. You can install it anywhere. All you have to do is pick a spot, make sure the plumbing aligns, and voila! There are no cracks and crevices for debris and mold to grow. In fact, if you get one made from high quality material - copper, stone resin, etc. - there is little cleaning necessary at all.
If you’re still on the fence, consider your home's resale value. A freestanding tub gives your home more value because they are seen as an attractive asset – for obvious reasons.
Before you begin hammering and purchasing, take into account our ideas and suggestions as well as your budget. A safe range to keep your remodel budget at is around 5 to 10% of your home’s value. However, if your budget is tighter, there is still a lot you can do with little. Just keep in mind that the cost of your remodel will spike once you start messing with the plumbing.
All in all, the most important takeaway from this article is that our advice is customizable. The best thing you can do with your master bathroom is make it yours. Personalize it. Incorporate your personality and passions into the redesign. If your vision is to feel like you’re at your favorite spa when you’re in your bathroom – recreate that. If you’re really into fashion, focus on getting a large standing mirror for creating looks. If you want to stay true to your southern roots, go for farmhouse chic with accents of wood and white elements. Make the space yours.
Good luck on your project, and happy remodeling!
