Bathroom Renovations for Budgets Big and Small 

Whether you have an open-ended budget to create your dream bathroom or just enough budget for simple inexpensive upgrades, you can remodel a bathroom into a soothing space to relax and rejuvenate.

Start by making a plan for your envisioned bathroom project. Collect pictures, room measurements and determine your bathroom remodel cost. Once you have your budget set out you can decide how big of a project to pursue for your bathroom remodel. A few good questions to consider: Who will be using the bathroom? How much storage do you need? What design and function do you have in mind? Are you planning on staying in your house for a few years or are you updating your bathroom for the purpose of reselling? Do you have the budget to add a new toilet, vanity, tub and shower? If the sky is the limit, do you have enough room to add a larger shower room or is there a closet you can tear down to add extra space? Do you have the need to add a heated floor system?

If you have a simple budget your best bet is to replace one or two big items and then use remaining budget on easy and less expensive touches that make a big splash. Start a binder to keep your new bathroom remodel design plan organized and include: bathroom remodel cost, notes, measurements, shopping list and receipts. You are now ready to start laying the groundwork.

Before starting your bathroom renovations, check the condition of your existing plumbing and electrical systems and insulation. If you have an older home you may want to replace old plumbing supply lines. Set up an appointment with a plumbing professional to inspect your lines and check for optimum water pressure, safety of materials, condition and corrosion. Since residential plumbing usually installs 1-1/2” pipes for drains, it is easy for dirt, hair and plastic that goes down the drain to get clogged. Consider replacing the drain pipes to 2” since it is less likely to clog and you will receive a better flow. Val Gross Blue Mills Plumbing can upgrade your current lines and replace any out of date or deteriorated plumbing pipes.

A licensed electrician can inspect current wiring system and materials and advise you on their condition and available options. This is also the peak time to replace old insulation and repair any wood rot you see inside the walls.

If walls are being torn down to upgrade plumbing and electrical systems, this creates a perfect opportunity to add windows, skylights, recessed lighting, track lighting, sconces, recessed niches and additional outlets. Window and skylights allow natural light to fill the room. By implementing ornate sconces, recessed lighting or a whimsical chandelier into your design, you can create an illumination of ambience to the room. Select your new light fixtures with LED lights for energy saving benefits. A niche element added your bath or shower walls can add extra storage without taking up precious space. This creates a great area to store bath products or even a candle.

Can you ever have enough outlets in a bathroom? If multiple family members share the same bathroom you could probably use additional outlets. Plan on installing as many outlets needed to operate hair appliances, vacuums, phone charges, shaving equipment, aromatherapy diffusers or any electrical appliance you use in your bathroom. You forget how handy extra outlets are until you need one.

If you have the budget to afford tile for the walls and floor, Carrera marble is very popular trend. A bathroom with walls and floors lined from head to toe in Carrera marble reproduces the glamour of Beverly Hills royalty. Other beautiful tile options are granite, concrete, ceramic, porcelain, stone, Spanish colonial tiles and even engineered. Tiles come in a variety of finishes including Glossy, Matte, Metallic, Rustic and Satin. They are offered in solid colors, geometric patterns and patterned tiles with bold or soft designs. Find the tile that matches your personality and you are on the right path.

A more affordable tile is the popular subway tile. These ceramic tiles made their debut in NYC’s subterranean train station in the 1900’s. It captured the imagination of the home designers everywhere and it didn’t take long to make its way to neighborhood kitchens and bathroom renovations. Subway tile fits into many design schemes, it is easy to clean and inexpensive.

Once you choose your tile make sure you pick a grout color that complements it. You may want to hire a professional to install your tile but if that is not an option, there is plenty of How-To-Tutorials for “installing tile” and “how to remodel a bathroom” online or visit one of your Home Improvement stores and find out if they hold free classes and seminars.

You may choose to add a fresh coat of paint to your walls rather than take on the additional time and cost of tile. Paint fits within most budgets and you have so many color options and textures to choose from…the sky is the limit for your bathroom remodel. Pick corresponding colors for walls and trim and keep in mind the accessories you want to blend into the design. Paint has the ability to breathe new life into your space.

If your bathroom remodel includes replacing your toilet, you have many options. Toilets are available in low-flow models, gravity toilets, pressure-assist models, the bidet, wall mounted toilets and every custom feature in between. One of the top considerations when choosing a new toilet is its flushing performance. Take some time to research and compare independent studies on the performance of top manufacturers so you can find a toilet that is easy to live with. Pressure-assist toilets are a cool feature but they can be very loud. One piece toilets are easier to clean but can be harder to install. Bidets have benefits, but replacement parts can be expensive. Low flush toilets are energy-efficient but can cause more clogging problems than some high-efficiency models. Other features to consider include custom bowl and tank sizes, unusual flush mechanisms and color options besides the standard white. With so many choices, be sure to find the best toilet to meet your personal needs.

If a new toilet does not fit within your budget consider replacing the toilet seat. You can find economical priced seats that are round, oblong, plastic, wood and even slow-closing. Trends for today’s toilet seats can include features such as LED nightlights, bidet cleaning with remote controls and heated seats but these features can be costly. Be sure you pick one that stays within your bathroom remodel cost.

If you choose to replace your vanity pick one with a design that embodies the message you want your bathroom to convey. The natural beauty of a vanity made out of teak can make you feel like you are residing in a world class spa. Vanities are great storage spaces for towels, cleaning products or extra rolls of tp. If cost is a factor, visit antique shops, flea markets and garage sales to find a second hand cabinet or vanity worthy of sanding, painting or staining. Also look for a large vintage mirror that can be hung above the vanity. A baroque mirror can top off the vanity and look like you invested a million bucks.

Sinks come in all materials, colors, shapes and textures. Some design options are:

• Top Mount Sinks – good for minimalist designs
  
• Undermount Sinks – good for family bathrooms
  
• Wall Mount Sinks - good for small spaces
  
• Pedestal Sinks - conceals most pipework and aesthetically pleasing
  
• Semi-Recessed Sinks – frees up floor space
  
• Wash Plane Sinks - simple, very stylish and takes up very little space but designed without a plug so this sink can’t hold water
  
• Vessel Sinks - sit completely on the top of the counter and can be out of reach for small kids
  
• All-In-One Sink - easy to clean and great for family bathrooms
  
• Bathroom sinks can be made out of different materials including vitreous china, enameled cast iron, granite, stainless steel, marble, porcelain, tempered glass, stone, wood acrylic and solid surface. Your sink choices are limitless!
  

A good bathtub can help you soak out all the stress and anxieties from the day. Today’s bathtubs trends have many spa-like benefits you can enjoy in your own bathtub at home. Here are the latest trends:

• Freestanding bathtubs, this tub is too cool to stick in a corner, it demands to be the center of the room
  
• Jacuzzi tubs, mini version of a hot tub
  
• Infinity Bath-effervescent bathtub with extra-deep reservoir and continuous water flow
  
• Bathtubs made from stone-bring great beauty and design to any bathroom
  
• Japanese soaking tubs-deep soaking tubs surrounded by tall walls and tiled floors brings a unique focal point along with high function.
  

If your bathroom remodel cost does not include a new tub try out this budget-friendly option? Resurface your existing bathtub by cleaning and prepping the surface followed by an application of a coating to restore its color and shine…VIOLA!

Some homeowners’ bathroom renovations include getting rid of the bathtub entirely to make way for a spacious spa-like shower room. For some, creating open showers without walls are ideal while others are surrounding their showers in glass, allowing natural light to flood the space and giving the room an overall larger appearance. These modern showers are stocked with many bells and whistles like multiple shower heads, steam sprayers, body sprays, sitting benches, music and therapeutic lighting for a true all-around spa experience.

For those on a tight budget, you can refresh your shower with a modern day shower curtain, rings and a decorative rod to breathe new energy into the space. Today’s trends include retro zig-zag designs, art nouveau styles, midcentury designs, nautical stripes, geometrical patterns and metallic accents. Love the look of marble but can’t afford marble tile? How about a shower curtain with a marble pattern as a cool alternative? Designers these days are creating shower curtains from silk, burlap, linen, Turkish cotton, cotton matelassé and even woven aluminum coils to give you that high-end look.

These days it seems we have accumulated more stuff that we use in the bathroom and not enough places to house it. This stuff quickly becomes clutter, creating the impression of chaos and untidiness. The more storage you can create the easier the room is to keep clean and it gives your room an orderly balance. Pull out storage is the rage these days and with good reason. It allows you pull out shelves, baskets, drawers to store all things small and large. By neatly folding and stacking towels on a shelf and using baskets to hold your small items you can create a clean and balanced design in your linen closet that you incorporate into your room design…no need to keep the door closed. For those with big bathroom renovation budgets, building custom storage units from ceiling to floor is also a great option.

Here are a few storage ideas:

• A linear or wire shelf is a great way to display a sleek green plant or neatly rolled towels.
  
• Consider storage furniture such as benches and ottomans.
  
• Add hooks anywhere or everywhere.
  
• Wall mounted soap and shampoo containers can rid you of a few containers.
  
• Over the toilet shelves are convenient and affordable.
  
• Roll and stack bath towels, hand towels and washcloths in a funky basket container.
  
• Find jewelry storage or displays to organize necklaces, rings and earrings.
  
• Add pull out drawers under your vanity to keep cleaning supplies and extra tp.
  
• Find drawer separators for make-up, combs and hair brushes.
  
• Beauty supply stores usually offer containers to organize electric appliances like hair dryers, curling irons and straighteners.
  
• Once everything is organized the clutter will melt away and your room is now neat and orderly.
  

Now for the best part…add your style to your newly renovated bathroom.

Here are a few decorating ideas for all budgets:

• Buy fluffy luxurious towels to display
  
• Hang an oil painting or framed art
  
• Update light switch covers
  
• Add mirrors
  
• Display fresh flowers or a green plant
  
• Update bath cabinet hardware
  
• Update faucets, hand showers or shower heads
  
• Update light fixtures
  
• Replace towel holder
  
• Update bath fan
  
• Add soaps and candles
  
• Add a chunky or eye-catching rug
  

Once all the décor has been strategically placed, you can now sit back, relax and enjoy your timeless, rejuvenated bathroom. Pass the bubble bath please.

You can call Val Gross Plumbing to come and inspect your lines and check for optimum water pressure, safety of materials, condition and corrosion. They can upgrade your current lines and replace any out of date or deteriorated plumbing pipes.

Shower Repair-If you are experiencing problems with your shower connections or faulty operation give us a call. Sometimes the solution is a relatively simple cartridge or shower valve replacement; at other times, joints need re-sealing after many years in service. Call us today and we’ll come out to evaluate the problem and repair it promptly.