Bold and beautiful bathrooms

Having a beautiful bathroom is about more than just aesthetics. It’s about having a place where you can relax and rejuvenate. The bathrooms featured in The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Private Quarters are the epitome of spa-like getaways. These light, bright and sophisticated bathrooms might just inspire you to give your own a refresh.

If you’re thinking about a bathroom renovation for your home, there are a lot of things to consider beforehand. Before you gut your space and start from scratch here are a few planning tips:

To renovate or revamp

If you want to revamp your bathroom but don’t want to shell out the cash for a full remodel, you can get by with a few updates. To upgrade the look and feel of your bathroom, consider replacing the tile or hardware. Another option is to paint the walls or update and add mirrors. If your bathroom is small, lighten it up. The Spruce recommends using a lighter color to make a small bathroom feel larger.

Plan and budget

Before you start any home project, it’s important to balance your wants with your budget. According to Remodelista, homeowners often underestimate the cost of a bathroom remodel. “A basic, low-grade renovation with less expensive materials or smaller swaps could run from $1,500 to $5,000, while a topof-the-line, tip-to-toe renovation could run up to $23,000,” writes Remodelista. You’ll also want to keep in mind the size of your bathroom, the quality of materials and whether you can do some of the labor yourself, as these factors can also affect cost.

Design and function

While that statement-making tub looks beautiful and relaxing, you should make sure that it’s practical. Freestanding tubs can be harder to clean, and they aren’t able to keep water hot for very long, which can be disappointing if you prefer a longer bath. If you prefer showers, you might want to consider replacing the tub with a shower to save space. Other key design elements to consider are the vanity, flooring and high-end materials. Houzz recommends splurging on countertops or floor and wall coverings because bathrooms are smaller spaces.

The little things

Things like planning the right height for your sink and making sure that the toilet isn’t the first thing you see when entering a bathroom are important but often forgotten details, according to Houzz. Lighting, mirror and outlet placement are other essential elements that should be carefully planned before the renovation. If you’re working with a small bathroom, you my want to consider adding a corner sink. You’ll also want to plan for proper ventilation and adequate storage space.

TEXT BY SHANNON DOMINY. PHOTO BY REYNOLDS ROGERS. Homeowner Ali and Bob Van Dillen decided to do a quick, budget-friendly update in the master bathroom of their Roswell home. They painted the beadboard beneath the chair rail navy, gave the vanity a coat of chalk paint and replaced the mirrors and lighting to update the look of the space.

A large open shower with a pebble-style floor and a skylight and a large double vanity are the main fixtures of Jeff and Paola Roder’s spa-like master bathroom. The space had already been recently updated by the previous owners when the Roders bought their home in 2019, so they’ve enjoyed the open, serene space.

The bathroom in the guest suite of Donald Thurman and Cathy Ehrler’s home has a large jetted tub and custom cabinetry. In the corner of the bath is a plexiglass tube filled with balls that the couple have collected through their years of living in their Atlanta home. These balls have been found on walks and around their home.

The spacious master bathroom in Jean-Francois and Martha Morizur’s Forsyth County home is open and warm. The large window over the tub gives the space great light in the morning, and the large area means that the couple can have their own space to get ready in the mornings.

The master bathroom of Michaela Graham’s home is open and light, with a large tiled shower that Michaela prefers using over the bath. The walls are a dark gray that matches the grout between the rosy tiles.

The master bathroom of Mike and Joelle DeRoche’s home is full of natural light and has a fresh, airy vibe. The room has plenty of space, with a large vanity and a separate shower and tub.

The fresh, neutral tones in the rest of the home flow into Dana and Angelo Spinola’s master bathroom, giving the space a clean look. A sliding hutch off to the side houses Dana’s shoes.