Get ready to remodel your bathroom
Is it time to remodel a bathroom in your home? Does it desperately need an update? Do you long for a larger, functional and relaxing space? Or if you plan on aging in place, you may want accessibility, comfort and safety. Whatever your reasons are, all it takes is a plan.
A good bathroom layout will need to have as much open space as possible and good flow, no matter what the size of the room. Consider the placement of fixtures, and determine whether plumbing needs to be moved. If you are working with a large space, you may want a shower and separate freestanding tub. If space is an issue, it may be better to remove the tub and focus on creating a fabulous shower.
If your bathroom is on the smaller side, there are ways to make it appear
larger. One way is using mirrors and sconces. Installing sconces on mirrors reflects light and brightens the room. Popular right now is streamlined tube lights that with a flip of a switch both provide task and soft, ambient lighting.
Another way to open up any bathroom space is with a curbless shower with linear drain and frameless-glass enclosure. This would also be useful for aging-in-place design. There are additional safety features that can be incorporated into your plan such as slipresistant surfaces and attractive grab bars that can work as a hanger for towels.
With any bathroom remodeling plan, I think we’ll all agree that the toilet should not be the first thing you see when you are walking into the room. Consider a modern wall-mounted toilet that minimizes how far it protrudes into the room. It can be tucked behind a vanity, half wall or in a larger bathroom in its own closet.
Something often requested by homeowners is the need for more storage. Incorporating niches in showers, adding narrow counter-to-ceiling cabinets on vanities and adding open shelving are some useful solutions.
Barn doors and pocket doors are great space savers and provide improved accessibility, especially for bathrooms. Add a frosted glass panel to your door for privacy and to let in some light.
So, if it’s time for that bathroom makeover, consult a professional remodeler to bring your home improvement dreams to life.
This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. The Remodelers Council is dedicated to promoting professionalism and public awareness of the remodeling profession through education, certification and service to the Houston community. To reach the author directly, email vanessa@remodelersofhouston.com. For more information on this article, please contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@idealconsulting.net. To join the council or to find a professional remodeler in your area, please visit www.ghba.org.