Creating Your Dream Bath Without the Hassle
Home renovations are hard! Most take months to complete since they entail not just the construction phase, but also the time to get plans drawn, finishes selected, estimates from contractors, and the proper permits before the work can even begin. Often times, larger scale projects like a bathroom renovation are a major inconvenience making it necessary to move out and rent temporary housing. That is a huge expense which most people would rather put towards their redecorating budget. How then can you create a dream bathroom without a full-scale renovation? Below are some tips for updating your space without a complete gut job.
Determine Your Floor Plan First
Just like you need a floor plan to decide which furnishings can fit in a space, you also need a floor plan to decide if your bathroom meets all your needs. Plumbing is a huge cost to move so if possible, keep your sink, shower, bathtub and toilet in the locations they are now. If you have a smaller vanity with a single sink and would like to upgrade to a double sink, see if there is space to steal to make room for another. A lot of older bathrooms have linen closets that can be removed to reclaim this space and linens can be stored elsewhere. If you do not have space for a second sink, it may be possible to just install a new longer vanity with more counter space, so it is easier to share. Some homes have bathtubs in more than one bathroom, so some homeowners opt to remove a second bathtub in favor of a larger vanity in one space. Thinking creatively about the space you have now will allow you to find ways to make it feel more functional.
Replace Outdated Shower Door Glass
Removing outdated frosted glass doors is an easy way to instantly change the look of your bathroom. Choosing a clear glass frameless door not only makes your room feel lighter and brighter but also larger. This is a relatively inexpensive update compared to gutting your entire shower. If your shower has walls on three sides, and your tile is in good shape, consider making one side wall a half wall of glass. This dramatically changes the feeling of your shower without completely remodeling your bathroom.
Update Your Sinks and Toilets
If your home has outdated almond, taupe, mauve or blue fixtures then it is time for change! If your vanity and other fixtures are in good shape adding new white sinks and a new white toilet can take years off the look of your home. Some things to consider include choosing a comfort height toilet to accommodate taller people. When looking at sinks determine if you want a traditional oval shape or a more modern rectangular shape.
Create a Custom Look
Another way to makeover your bathroom without completely renovating it is to choose details that are all your own. Instead of painting the walls, try a chic grass cloth wallpaper for some subtle texture or a whimsical floral pattern that reminds you of a favorite vacation spot. Add a new window covering such as a modern woven wood blind, a more traditional wood shutter or a fabric roman shade for a softer look. Another easy way to make your space more custom is by framing a basic builder grade mirror with a MirrorMate frame. You can choose a wood tone to match your existing vanity, a painted blue hue from their Ocean collection, or a metallic tone that coordinates with your faucets, lighting and hardware. Easy to install they can give your mirror a new look in minutes and cover over any wear and tear on your existing mirror.
Add Luxury Elements Where Affordable
Everyone loves the look of a spa bathroom with gorgeous marble walls, floors, and countertops but the cost of this luxury stone can be prohibitive. If your floor and wall tile are in good shape considering replacing your countertop with a new marble or quartz material to give your bathroom a more luxurious look. If your floor tile is livable, but your wall tile needs to go, it may be possible to just retile your shower walls keeping the rest of the space intact. Splurge on higher end mosaics where they will be noticed either in a shower niche for soaps and shampoos, or as a focal point on one wall of the shower.
Don’t Forget the Details
One way to transform an outdated bathroom is by swapping out old faucets, lighting, and hardware. If you are looking for a traditional luxe look, consider shiny chrome fixtures with a vintage cross handle. They pair nicely with clear glass globe lighting. You can dress up your vanity to coordinate with crystal knobs or chrome cup pulls. If you want a more contemporary look, opt for brushed brass faucets with clean, sharp lines and a linear vanity bar light. You can change out your vanity hardware for brass bar pulls to match the new look. If you want to give your space a modern farmhouse look, consider matte black faucets, black iron lantern inspired lighting, and matte black pulls with a hand forged look. When adding these finishing touches to your space make sure to consider the robe hook, towel bar and paper holder. These elements often get overlooked and making sure these are custom as well give your space a unique look. The same is true for your shower head and trim. A new shower head that matches your other hardware will complete the space.
Renovating your bathroom can be time consuming and expensive but you do not need to completely gut your bathroom to get the look you want. Consider first the space you need to make it more functional, and then focus on the upgrades that give you the impact you want whether it is adding a new countertop, new sinks and toilet, a larger vanity or framing a builder’s basic mirror for an updated look. A lot of these smaller changes can really enhance your space without the hassle and expense of a major overhaul.
Highline Slim Midnight Black Frame
