Buying a house that checks off all the boxes on your list is not as easy as it seems. Maybe you found a house in your ideal neighborhood within your budget, only to realize that you aren't in love with the bathroom.
Or, if you're already a homeowner, you might want to finally upgrade to a smart bathroom to match the rest of your smart home. Regardless, if you've never remodeled your home before, it can seem like an enormous and lengthy job to take on.
Homeowners aren't just choosing to remodel their homes for aesthetic reasons. With interest rates hiking up over 2.5% in 2022 alone, people prefer to renovate their current homes instead of buying a new home. According to a new study by House Method, 55% of homeowners reported renovating a part of their home in the past year, with 27% of them focusing on bathroom renovations. It's no surprise the bathroom is the most popular room in the house to remodel.
So, if you're in the market for a full bathroom remodel, you're in the right place. With some preparation, research, and a little bit of patience, you can transform your outdated bathroom into a beautiful space that feels more like you. Here are 11 steps on how to approach a bathroom renovation.
What look do you want to achieve ultimately? You more than likely already have ideas of what your dream bathroom would look like, but it can be difficult to match colors and styles without seeing examples. There are many resources for DIYers to gather ideas, such as Pinterest, Instagram, and home design websites. One of our favorite platforms is Pinterest because you can save inspirational photos in different folders. For example, you can create a folder specifically for bathtub ideas and compare them side-by-side before making your final decision.
Looking through images of different bathrooms can indicate details, such as lighting positioning or tile grout color, that you might've not thought of. Knowing what you're looking for will save you time and money in the long run.
Compiling a list of must-haves is essential to carry out a full bathroom remodel. The last thing you want is to reach the end of your renovation and decide you want a bathtub instead of a standing shower. Take time to jot down the items that need updating, adding, or trashing. Things to consider:
Once you've chosen what you need in your bathroom, you can start designing it. You'll want to consider where your lighting fixtures go, what color scheme you want, where you'll place any bathroom furniture, etc. If this step is overwhelming, you can always reach out to a contractor to help you sketch a design.
You're now ready to create a budget, assuming you've finalized your list of items to update. Don't skip this step! Budgeting allows you to get a sense of how much you're going to spend, and if you're financially stable to afford it. You don't want to realize you're unable to finish a project and stop mid-way. Things to consider:
Bathroom renovations often take more time than you'd think. If you're tackling the renovation yourself, you'll want to allow more time for each step, as you're likely to be learning along the way. Furthermore, you'll want to account for delays in materials and products. Chances are, not every step will go as planned, so managing your expectations can ease some frustrations that come with the building.
If this is a primary bath, move out of the bedroom! Dust will get into your space, regardless of the dust barriers. You will feel better living in a dust free bedroom while the workers need to get in and out, starting early in the mornings.
You'll want to comply with your local building codes and obtain the correct permits necessary. Depending on your city, you'll have different renovation permits to acquire. If you've hired a contractor, he or she can advise you on what jobs need permits.
While there are many YouTube videos on how to run electrical wires and install plumbing lines, if you aren't confident, we highly recommend hiring a professional electrician and plumber to take care of this step for you. It can be confusing and downright dangerous to work with live wires, especially if you aren't the one who installed the electrics in your house. However, here are some things you can consider before speaking to a professional:
Whew! The tough part of the job is over, so let's get to the fun part where you'll start seeing results. Installing your walls and floors is easy because you've already chosen what you want in step two. You'll want to remember that bathrooms are often moist or wet, so installing waterproof walls, such as tiles, and non-slip floors is the key to building a durable bathroom.
A good ventilation system adequately removes moisture in a bathroom. Failing to include a vent can cause problems down the line, such as growing mold and wet ceilings. Choose the right fan for the size of your bathroom, and install it in a centralized spot.
At this stage, your bathroom should be looking pretty good! Install your bathtub, shower, vanity sink, and toilet.
After installing your bathroom fixtures, you're ready to start building and placing your cabinets, shelves, and any other furniture you've purchased. Your bathroom furniture is ideally placed conveniently to maximize the space in your bathroom, without compromising the style.
Congratulations on reaching this step, as you're now almost finished with your bathroom remodel. At this point, you're just adding finishing touches to your bathroom to personalize the space. Here's what we recommend adding:
Any renovating job can be stressful, and while you can do all the hard work yourself, there's also no shame in reaching out to a professional remodeling company to take the weight off your shoulders. At Edesia Kitchen & Bath Studio Inc., we love working with our clients to achieve the bathroom of their dreams. Schedule a consultation with us today, and get started on your remodel.