The smallest room in your home will undoubtedly require the largest number of professionals to remodel. A plumber, tiler, electrician, flooring installer, painter and cabinet installer will be called on to transform your bathroom—unless you’re terribly talented, handy, and patient.
If you see the bathroom as strictly utilitarian, you may choose to do a superficial cosmetic redecorating job. But if you’re adventuresome, this smallest room in your home can showcase the design of your wildest creativity. Colors or patterns you’d be afraid to use in another room can shine in this private area. And materials that would be prohibitively expensive in a larger area will fit into the bath budget.
New homes are being built with special attention given to luxurious, large bathrooms with multiple sinks, toilet and bidet, separate tub and shower stalls, custom tile work, and closets to die for. But most homes offer minimal space and leave lots of room for imagination, dreaming, and adapting.
The necessities of a bathroom include sink, toilet, tub and shower. Everything else is frosting on the cake. But sometimes the frosting is the best part!
One of the first things you’ll consider when thinking about a bathroom remodel is the tub or shower, and your choice will make a huge impact on the overall success of your project. Do you dream of a sunken whirlpool tub for leisurely soaking? Does your Victorian home require a claw-foot tub with a hand-held brass showerhead? The least expensive alternative is a pre-molded fiberglass unit which incorporates both shower and tub.
The next most important selection you’ll make is the toilet. There are almost as many choices for toilets as there are for sinks or tubs. If you want a vintage look, you can choose a pull-chain flushing mechanism. If you want ultra-modern, how about a remote-controlled model? There are models with a built-in bidet for saving precious floor space. Toilets are available in many styles, designs, and colors and can be selected to coordinate with your décor.
You’ll save a lot of money if your remodeling plan can utilize the existing plumbing for both the toilet and tub. If you select a new larger tub, will walls have to be moved to install it? There are things to think about besides what looks best.