If you’ve come across this article, it’s apparent that you’re planning to renovate your bathroom and need some good advice. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Renovation is something that is discussed in every household after a specific amount of time. After all, who doesn’t want to upgrade? So, when you do come about this subject, you need to have a full-fledged plan before you start.
Many people think renovation is as easy as they see in YouTube videos and often find out it isn’t once they get started. However, by then, they’ve wasted a considerable amount of time and monetary resources. You wouldn’t want that happening to you now, would you? Well, you can save yourself from all that if you research before you start, and this article will try to cover all the basics that you need.
The first thing that you need to ask yourself is, are you serious about it? The question regarding renovation often has to come up a few times before you know whether you’re ready. Don’t jump at the idea of an intuitive feeling as that can lead to problems along the way. Here mentioned is a checklist you should go through before getting started.
Time, money, and a working plan:
These three things should be your priority. Let’s go through the reasons why down below. If you’re serious about the renovation, then the first thing you need to do is sit down and calculate what kind of time you are okay with giving to the project. For example, do you have a week or a month or a few days? Keeping in mind the amount of time you have, you can better assess which kind of changes that you can go for.
Secondly, if you have a partner or even if you’re single, you should try and allocate a budget to the project. Getting started without a specific number in mind isn’t a financially responsible thing to do. So, think of a particular number and then stick to it. Further, divide the lump sum amount into smaller portions and assign them to different aspects of renovations.
Once that is done, you should make a function plan. Plan out what changes you’re going to do, and in the order, they should be executed. At this point, it is recommended that you consult with a contractor or someone who has experience.
Measurements and surprise problems:
Once you’ve made a plan, assigned a budget, and figured out a time frame, the next step is to take measurements.
According to the plan that you’ve made, you now know what you need, but you need the exact measurements to make sure everything seems in place and well proportioned. You wouldn’t want to have a considerable countertop and find out you have little to no space for a shower area now, would you? So, it is recommended that you take accurate measurements before you start buying things.
Once you start taking measurements, try keeping an eye out for problems that you might have missed. For example, your hot tub might leak, or your taps might not be that efficient; you might have a plumbing problem, etc. There are tons of issues that often remain hidden until we are planning a big scale makeover.
Keeping such things in mind, you should have a certain amount set aside for such problems that are most likely to arise. On a side note, if your hot tub is leaking, I recently followed the guide ByRossi, and it gave me great help. So, check it out if you want to fix the leak rather than invest in a whole new hot tub that might cost you a fortune.
Hired help or no help:
Now that you’ve got all that covered, you need to be honest with yourself and decide if you’re going to hire a contractor or not—knowing that hiring a good contractor can make things a lot easier and save you from many potential headaches causing situations. However, it is your choice. If you have a background in some kind of handiwork, then giving it a go can’t hurt, but if you’re a newbie, I recommend hiring some help.
Knowing your limitations is a good thing and can make your life a whole lot easier. While hiring a contractor, you should keep in mind that different contractors work at different prices, so try and find one within your budget and someone you can trust.
Lighting and fixtures:
Once you’ve figured that out, you need to sort out the lighting and fixture options. While these may seem like small changes, they can have a significant impact on the overall look. Natural lighting is the best way to go, so try to go ways to increase that as much as you can, if you want to go for a skylight or an additional window, it’s your call.
While the natural light can have a significant impact during the day, you’ll need alternative options for the night. Try going for incandescent lighting.
Once you’re done with the lighting, you now need to focus on the fixtures. If you’ve got cabinets in the bathroom, try swapping their handles for more chic and modern looking options. Bronze, silver, clack are colored to go for as they can be used in contrast to almost any colored cabinet.
Storage and accessories:
Since we just talked about cabinets, the next thing that comes to mind is storage. If you don’t have any, that can be quite a problem. Try adding storage to your space. You can go under the sink cabinets or even shelves. Know that things around the sink make your bathroom look cluttered and I’m sure that isn’t the look you’re trying to go for
So, see what works for you and assign a specific amount from your budget.
Once you’re done with that, and you’re looking to accessorize, know that little can do a long way. You should try to go for a statement piece that can add to your bathroom’s aesthetic but not make it look like you just walked into a gallery.
Flooring and good ventilation:
While renovating your flooring and your ceiling, you need to keep in mind that the material you’re going to choose is going to make a significant impact. The first thing to keep in mind is that the material should be waterproof. You can go for ceramic, granite and even marble.
Whatever material you go for, it needs to have two main features, it should last long and shouldn’t be slippery. You’d be surprised as to how many household accidents take place in the bathroom.
Another essential aspect you should consider while renovating your bathroom is ventilation. Your bathroom needs to be adequately ventilated. Whether you do that by adding a window and exhaust system or any other means is up to you.
While most people let this slippery moist and humid area be an excellent spot for germs and bacteria to thrive, you wouldn’t want that happening in your bathroom now, would you?
So, think about an alternative that works for you.
Think about going green:
Last but not least, try to go green. Know that the condition our environment is in today is because we haven’t played out part. When you do decide to renovate, try going for environmentally friendly options.
For example, try using tap fixtures and toilets that use smaller amounts of water efficiently. An average toilet wastes about 5 gallons of water each time you flush it; that seems unnecessary, doesn’t it? So why not do something about it?
Other than that, you can also add greenery to your bathroom. Place a few indoor plants in the bathroom, but remember not to go overboard. Do your research about plants that can survive in such a place and then go for the option that requires less maintenance. Not only is it a trend, but it is also a great way to purify the bathroom air and give your bathroom a nice and chic modern vibe.
Final thoughts:
One thing you should keep in mind is that renovating is hard, but if done with proper planning, it can be fruitful.
I hope you now know that you aren’t an expert just because you saw a video on YouTube. There are many things left out in these videos, so try not to make any impulsive decisions.
Know that research is essential to have a productive experience. So, try and invest as much time as you need; everyone gets ready at a different pace. Try to ask for advice from someone who has gone through the whole process and knows the negatives and positives of the experience to guide you about places that can better cater to your needs.
However, once you’re satisfied with your research, make sure to talk to a few people before finalizing everything but once all is covered, carry out the plan; I’m sure it’s going to turn out great.