Starting a bathroom remodeling project can be both an intimidating and exciting process. Bathroom trends continue to evolve year after year, and along with it, many new improvements of certain fixtures or appliances in the domestic world. Before embarking on this important endeavor, it’s important to identify your needs first, along with your goals for how you want to transform the look and feel of your space. Here’s how you can get started:
Consider Functional Upgrades
Replace Bath Fixtures and Hardware
One of the most simple yet practical upgrades you can do for your bathroom remodeling project is to replace your bath hardware. This includes your faucets, shower head, and hardware, such as towel rods, hooks, and toilet paper holders. Doing so will instantly modernize the look of your bathroom while providing improved functionality for your sink, tub, or shower.
Upgrade to Toilet to a More Efficient Model
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), toilets account for most of the water use in a home, specifically 30% of an average home’s indoor water consumption. With older toilet models, especially, you can expect to use as much as 6 gallons of water per flush. When replacing your toilet, look for models that have the WaterSense label, as this can help you save around 13,000 gallons of water each year, which equates to about $140 in savings per year or between 20-60% reduced water consumption.
New Bathroom Window Installation
While a new bathroom window not only helps to let more natural light into your bathroom, it also helps to improve ventilation. Being able to crack your bathroom window open after a hot shower helps to release some of the steam or moisture in your bathroom that would otherwise settle onto surfaces, build up, and possibly even create an ideal environment for mold. Installing a window in your bathroom also creates an additional exit in the event of an emergency, such as a fire, helping to improve overall safety in your home.
2-Inch Drain Pipes
The majority of bathroom drain plumbing systems are installed with a PVC drain pipe that’s either 1.5 or even 1.25 inches in diameter. To maximize draining capabilities, consider upgrading to 2-inch drain pipes that will allow for the best water flow and help you avoid problems such as clogs and flooding. This bathroom remodeling upgrade might be especially beneficial for you if you share a home with other people or a large family.
Heated Flooring
While some might argue that heated flooring is more of a cosmetic upgrade, it actually holds a lot of practical benefits. Radiant heat flooring is an excellent way to help keep your home warm during cool months, and you might even get to save on heating costs. As it provides more comfort for your bare feet while using your bathroom, it also adds to your home’s resale value if the time ever comes that you wish to put your home on the market.
Change Light Fixtures
Improving your bathroom lighting not only makes your bathroom appear brighter and cleaner but it can also make certain bathroom tasks a lot more convenient and enjoyable. Consider installing recessed lights around your bathroom mirrors for improved lighting as you’re doing your makeup, shaving, or daily skincare routine. You can also install separate lighting fixtures for your toilet and shower or bath area, so you have the option to illuminate only the areas that are in use. Installing a dimmer can also improve the ambiance of your bathroom, especially if you like taking relaxing, long baths.
Improve Ventilation
In addition to installing a window in your bathroom, you can improve ventilation by updating your bathroom’s exhaust and ventilation fans. Efficient exhaust fans help to eliminate odors, let out trapped moisture and humidity, and remove any pollutants that may be in the air. Meanwhile, ventilation fans improve indoor air quality inside your bathroom by bringing in clean and filtered air from outside.
Increase Storage
If you use your bathroom for a lot of important functions or if you share your bathroom with other people, consider expanding storage options for your toiletries, towels, cleaning supplies, medicine, or even extra clothing. One excellent way to do this without sacrificing space is by installing a recessed medicine cabinet that can hold all your necessary medications, cosmetics, and trinkets from behind a mirror that provides additional support for your hygienic tasks. Another simple way to maximize space inside your shower area is to install built-in or cut-out shelves (also called “shower niches”) that can help you do away with cluttery shower caddies altogether.
Explore Design Ideas
Once you’ve decided on the necessary functional upgrades for your bathroom remodeling project, it’s time to look into some fresh new ideas on how to make it look more updated and appealing to current standards. Consider these additions or replacements to certain areas in your bathroom:
Shower Tiles
There are many beautiful and non-slip bathroom or shower tile options now that also hold anti-bacterial capabilities to prevent stains or mold.
Freestanding Tub
Freestanding tubs have become quite the popular bathroom remodeling trend in recent years, and for good reasons—they look good with almost any bathroom style, and they provide the bathroom user with the option to enjoy a soothing bath separate from the shower (i.e., not sitting in a tub that doubles as the shower floor).
Hidden-tank Toilet
Hidden-tank toilets are not only space-saving toilet designs, but their sleek appearance also fits into modern and sophisticated bathroom design standards.
New Cabinets & Countertops
Finally, one way to do a bathroom remodeling project that is sure to give your bathroom an instant makeover is to install brand-new cabinets and countertops. Consider the other space-saving suggestions above as you expand your counter space with beautiful materials such as marble or terrazzo. Explore interesting cabinet and storage designs as well, such as stained natural wood with industrial-style hardware or even some floating counters—your possibilities are truly endless.
Consult With a Bathroom Remodeling Specialist
Not sure where to start? Consult with Fresh New Build’s professional bathroom remodeling specialist, who can provide you with both practical and design-based solutions for how to turn your bathroom into its very best version.
The Best Bathroom Remodeling Contractor in Ashburn, VA
At Fresh New Build, we take pride in transforming bathroom remodeling ideas into reality for our clients in Ashburn, VA, and the surrounding areas. If you’re ready to start planning and designing your next bathroom remodeling project, contact us today to schedule a consultation with our experienced bathroom remodeling team.
