A successful bathroom renovation will leave you with a space that is functional and convenient, visually appealing, and conducive to relaxation and renewal. Careful planning may be the most important step of the project. Not only can it save you from costly or inconvenient goofs, but it can help insure that your practical objectives and design goals are met.
Make time for the important preliminary step of designing the room’s layout. To do this conveniently, you’ll want graph paper, pencil, ruler, scissors and white paper. You can mark off the room’s dimensions on the graph paper and use the white paper for creating appropriately scaled cut-outs of the fixtures you want to include in the remodeled space.
Using the graph paper floor plan and the paper models of the bathroom appliances and furnishings, you can visualize various ways of laying out the space. As you consider all the possibilities, important considerations include:
If, as you are planning the layout, you find that space is going to be an issue, keep in mind that there are space-friendly options that give you more room for the upgrades that matter most to you. These include:
Being intentional about choosing a color scheme that creates the desired mood can help you achieve a revamped bathroom with which you are happy. It’s advisable to select your colors prior to purchasing anything so that each item can harmonize with the others and the enhance the ambiance you wish to create.
Begin by doing a quick internet search on the meanings of colors. As you read about how different hues can affect us, discern what mood you want the bathroom to inspire. For many, the goal is to a create a space that is calming and that fosters relaxation and de-stressing. In this case it would be important to know that green and blue can help you achieve this, while red can inspire opposite feelings.
In addition to choosing colors for walls, rugs, towels, etc., it is important to decide which neutrals you will use on the appliances and other surfaces – white or cream, beige or gray, black or chocolate, etc. Even the bathroom hardware impacts the color scheme, and today’s options range from classics like brass and nickel to painted finishes in red or black.
It can be very helpful to browse photos of bathrooms on home design sites and to consider what you like and do not like about the various color schemes. You might find a color selection that you wish to duplicate, or you may be inspired to mix and match from different featured looks.
Unless you’re adding on or knocking down walls, the room’s dimensions are something you’re going to have to work with. In addition to make smart space-saving choices when you select bathroom appliances, you can utilize home décor tricks that make the room look bigger. For instance:
Smart decorating choices allow you to make the most of the space that is available and keep the room from feeling cluttered.
It makes sense to read up on bathroom décor trends as you plan a remodel, but it’s equally important to keep your own tastes and preferences in mind. The goal is not to create a bathroom that looks like it could be in an interior design magazine but to a create a space that you like and where you can relax and be refreshed.
Learning about trending styles and viewing photos of designer bathrooms is a way to inform your tastes and prevent the end product from looking dated. At the same time, you want to know how to tweak stylish looks to harmonize with your tastes or how to integrate an old favorite while keeping the room’s overall appearance fashionable.
For instance, knowing that green bathrooms are rising in popularity shouldn’t make you choose that color if it’s not a favorite of yours, but it could inspire you to bring in some green accents such as potted plants. Alternatively, perhaps you miss the 80s floral patterns that adorned your childhood home. Bring in a fun accent that celebrates this look – maybe a little stool with a cushioned top and flowery upholstery. You could even frame several squares of 80s floral fabric and use them as bathroom wall hangings. Paired with up-to-date décor choices elsewhere in the room, these would add charm and a personal touch.
If you want your bathroom to be more than just a water closet, know that the most effective way to make it a relaxing retreat is often by creating a spa-inspired shower enclosure. Let’s start by considering the shower stall itself. Say goodbye to fiberglass shower inserts and shower curtains with their vinyl liners. Instead, make your bathroom’s remodeled shower a space defined by pristine glass and beautiful tile.
As you select shower tile, keep in mind the discussion of color. Here, more than anywhere else in the bathroom, you want to select shades the foster tranquility and relaxation. If cost is an issue, keep in mind that you can use simple, low-cost tiles for the most part while interspersing painted, textured, or glass tiles here and there to dress up the space.
When it comes to the doors and remaining walls of the enclosure, consider clear glass. This choice will ensure that your carefully selected tile remains part of the room’s overall look rather than being hidden behind privacy glass. Clear glass shower doors also ensure that the shower area remains visibly part of the bathroom, causing the space to seem more open and roomy. Finally, the smooth surface of clear glass is easier to clean than that of frosted or patterned glazing.
Keep in mind that there are many upgrades for the interior of your lovely glass shower enclosure. These include:
Perhaps the most luxurious shower possibility is the steam shower. If you’d like to enjoy a steam shower every day right in your own home, consider making this transformation part of your remodel. Besides the steam shower apparatus, you’ll need a shower enclosure with special features including:
Choosing a frameless design for your enclosure will give it an aura of luxury. These units are characterized by unframed sheets of glass, the absence of aluminum framing, and small clips and hinges that connect the panels. To ensure the stability and rigidity of the enclosure, frameless showers are built from thick, heavy glass. A shower built from clear frameless glass will significantly transform a bathroom that was previously home to a shower curtain!
An important aspect of bathroom design today is creating a space that is accessible to persons of a range of ages and abilities. These considerations are especially important if you plan to age in place, might sell the house, or will have guests using the bathroom. Points to consider include:
If circumstances make accessibility a high priority, you can go the extra mile. For instance, instead of a swinging or sliding shower door, the enclosure can have an open, curbless entrance. If you go this route, but sure to work with professionals to ensure that water containment will still be reliable. This can be achieved even in a walk-in shower as long as the enclosure is sufficiently large, the shower head is appropriately situated, the floor slope is right, and the drain placement is correct.
Most every bathroom has a vanity mirror, but don’t be tempted to just slap up a stock mirror or medicine cabinet. The vanity mirror can be more than just a tool for fixing hair or applying makeup. It should a charming wall adornment that contributes to your décor theme and adds to the room’s visual appeal.
Your vanity mirror choices include:
The ideal vanity mirror for your remodeled bathroom is determined by an array of factors. On a practical level, think about how many persons will use the mirror simultaneously. If you and your spouse are vying for mirror space in the morning, consider hanging two mirrors or one very wide one. On an aesthetic level, you may want to match the mirror style to the room’s overall look.
For instance a polished edge mirror would be right at home in a minimalistic modern bathroom featuring clean lines and simplicity. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a vanity mirror that will dress up the space a bit, a beveled mirror might be the way to go. Finally, since so many frame options exist, you can find a framed mirror that will harmonize with just about any bathroom style.
Make great storage solutions part of your bathroom design to ensure that its beauty remains unmarred by clutter. The best storage options are those that also beautify the room. So as you seek to address various storage needs, always look for fixtures that are both serviceable and attractive.
Examples of this type of storage include baskets, canvas bins, crates, glass shelves, and attractive cabinets. In a small bathroom, you may need to seek creative solution like a corner linen cabinet, hanging baskets, or a set of small shelves on the wall above the commode. Another trick is to make the items you’re storing part of the décor. For instance, washcloths in your chosen colors can be rolled and arranged on a shelf. This is a handy way to store them, and they will add a splash of color to the wall.
Let nature’s beauty work for you in your renovated bathroom. If the bathroom window has a pleasant view of the outdoors, you can preserve both privacy and the view by having the lower pane replaced with frosted glass while keeping the upper pane transparent. Adding a skylight made of laminated glass is another way to embrace nature as it gives you a view of clouds, sun, rain, etc.
It’s also easy to introduce natural elements when you add the final touches to the remodeled space. Seashells, driftwood, pebbles, and small ornamental trees are all popular in bathroom settings. Some even create living walls of mosses and plants for a dramatically natural bathing area!
Working with ABC Glass and Mirror, Inc. makes it easy to adorn your bathroom with the custom glass and mirror needed for a high end look. With ABC your shower glass, vanity mirror, glass shelves, and so forth will be fabricated to your specifications for a great fit and the look you desire for your space. Start by calling us at 703-257-7150 and making an appointment for a free in-home consultation. One of our knowledgeable estimators will visit your home, inspect the bathroom, give product info, and answer questions. A free quote will then be emailed for your consideration.
When you’ve made your selections, we’ll fabricate and order the glass, metal, and other components needed and then give you a call to schedule installation. Your items will be put in place by trained installers, so you can sit back and relax for this part of the project. ABC Glass and Mirror, Inc. brings decades of glass experience, tons of custom options, and a commitment to customer satisfaction to your bathroom remodel. Whether you want to relax in a steam shower, add glass shelves for a new storage solution, or upgrade your vanity mirror, call ABC at 703-257-7150!
