The Bathroom Renovation Experts’ Guide

You’ll spend time, money, and possibly a few grey hairs on a bathroom renovation. According to Reza of Modern Tiling Dublin, the cost might range from “a few thousand dollars to brighten up an existing bathroom to six figures for a total restoration of a high-end master bath.” However, if you spend wisely, the investment will almost certainly pay off.

The key is to pick upgrades that fit your lifestyle and routines—maybe you need a tub since you’ll use it every day; a wall niche if you don’t have anywhere to put shampoo; and two sinks because brushing your teeth shouldn’t be an elbow fight. Modern Tiling’s Neda explains, “We ask a lot of questions about daily routine and storage needs, and we emphasise utility first.” The ultimate goal is happiness. 70 percent of consumers “feel a higher desire to be home” following a bathroom remodelling, according to a 2022 remodelling survey from Modern Tiling, so keep reading to learn the secrets.

Before you begin, ask yourself some questions

Ask yourself the boring questions first, before you start mood-boarding or falling in love with a bathroom design you want to emulate. You may be unaware of how they affect your bathroom requirements, but they do! Before getting began, any designer worth employing would run these by their clients. So prepare your replies, speak with your designer, and begin collecting inspiration photos.

What is your typical day like?

It will have an impact on the design.

How much money do you have?

Budgeting now is preferable to being disappointed later.

How much space do you require?

It’s easy to add today, but more complex later.

How many people are going to be in the room?

You’ll have to pick if you want twin sinks and mirrors or just one.

What do you dislike about your current living situation?

Of course, so that it isn’t repeated in the new one.

Understand the Shower/Fundamentals Tub’s

If you have the space, a freestanding tub is ideal for resale value in a kid-friendly community. A shower/tub combo is best if your space isn’t large enough for both a roomy walk-in shower and a bath (and you don’t have little children to bathe). “Jacuzzi-style bathtubs were popular during the McMansion era, but the pendulum has swung back to showers, especially in master bathrooms.” “At the high end, there might be a wonderful soaking tub in there,” adds Modern Tiling, “but the walk-in shower is the major priority.”

So, for the time being, let’s concentrate on showers. Though it may appear to be a minor consideration, the correct shower or shower/tub combo enclosure can make a significant difference. The following are the key players:

• Modern Tiling recommends curtains for shower/tub combos because a soft, flexible curtain is simpler to bathe youngsters than a glass door. Bonus: If your style evolves, it’s simple to replace.
• Showers with glass doors can feel more roomy. Finishes that provide warmth include “metal grids, attractive hardware, or a framing element around the door,” Ali suggests.
• Going doorless is the most daring of shower enclosures (or lack thereof). You won’t have to worry about splashing if you use waterproof surfaces (and a central drain).

Last but not least, make that your shower has the appropriate fixtures. Aside from typical faucets, drawer handles, and showerheads, there are also gadgets that may be added to a bathroom to update it without having to completely renovate it. These are two of our favourites.

• Thermostatic Shower Valve: It may sound sophisticated, but this is what regulates the temperature of your bathwater. According to Reza, a thermostatic shower valve will add a few hundred dollars to total plumbing expenditures by automatically adjusting the hot and cold water to avoid scalding in the event of pressure variations. “However, we strongly advise it!”
• Don’t want to renovate? Get a good showerhead. That doesn’t rule out the possibility of a luxurious handheld showerhead. This Grohe faucet is our selection for something incredibly high-end but still hackable. It doesn’t require any substantial plumbing upgrades to install (or remove if you relocate!).

Recognize Your Resources

• Natural stone is a bathroom surface preference because it is the most refined and formal. Any natural stone can do well in a damp environment with the correct sealant, so it’ll primarily come down to pricing and aesthetics (get to know the different types and what makes them special here).
• Subway tiles are a conventional choice, but zellige, a more personalised and handmade option, is also available. Don’t overlook small tiles like penny and hex: These little rounds are still recognised for their affordability more than a century after their invention; you can acquire them for as cheap as $5 per square foot and use them all around. They can be a terrific alternative to more expensive bathroom materials like natural stone (and they’re just as attractive) because of their low pricing and endurance in damp settings.
• Bathroom Wallpaper: Yes, wallpaper may be used in the bathroom! The idea is to keep it out of the way of splashes and to provide adequate airflow to minimise moisture buildup. It’s a terrific way to add a lot of flare to a room without committing to a pattern.

Keep storage in mind when making decisions

• In the Shower: Because most bathrooms have limited storage, a built-in shower niche is almost required. Purchase a prefabricated niche to tile over or install one between the studs. Make sure it’s big enough to hold all of your shower essentials.
• In the Bathroom: For a vanity, you have two choices: custom, where you choose materials that flourish in a high-moisture environment and have them installed by a designer-contractor team, or store-bought to save yourself the trouble. However, if you don’t have to, don’t rip up the pipes: Modern Tiling recommends choosing a vanity that will work with your current plumbing if you’re on a budget. Cabinet doors can cover your mess, or you can make a cottage-inspired aesthetic with a curtain and pole.
• On the walls: Floating shelves, a mirror cabinet, towel racks and hooks, and a built-in linen closet are all useful additions; which you choose depends on your own taste and the amount of room you have.

Include the appropriate bells and whistles

Look for trends that fit your lifestyle while also increasing the market value of your home. Here are our top five picks.

• Smart showers are becoming increasingly popular.
• Voice and Wi-Fi controls allow you to precisely control the temperature, play music while bathing, and more.
• Nonslip Flooring: For the wettest room in the house, this is a no-brainer. Safer stepping requires a high slip-resistant grade of 0.42 or above.
• Drawer Chargers: Installing outlets in vanity drawers reduces clutter (loose tangles are unsightly) and simplifies: To use the hair dryer, simply open the drawer.
• Although large jet tubs are no longer popular, shower body jets are making a comeback. When planning your layout, keep your height and proportions in mind.
• Warming your feet (no more post-shower shivers!) is the quickest method to become toasty. Bonus: They dry faster than unheated floors, reducing the risk of slips and falls.