A bathroom is one of the most used places in the house; therefore, its wear and tear can also be relatively quicker than in other areas. After a period of constant use, your bathroom may require a makeover to preserve its functionality and appearance.
One of the common problems that you might notice in your bathroom requiring prompt action is mold and mildew growth. In areas like Chicago, where the climate is hot and humid (where temperatures can reach as high as 91F in July, according to Weather Spark), mold finds the perfect environment for its growth. Thus, remolding the bathroom as it is exposed to water and moisture is even more crucial in these areas.
When remodeling a bathroom, it is important to remember certain tips that can make the process much easier. Here is what you need to know when remodeling a bathroom.
1. Know the reason behind bathroom remodeling
The first thing you should be sure of is the reason behind your remodeling project. Are you remodeling to elevate its aesthetic appeal? Are you looking to create a spa-like environment for relaxation? Do you intend to increase the resale value of your house? Or do you want to enhance the comfort and practicality of your bathroom?
For instance, if you are in Chicago, where the real estate market is thriving, with a median home price of $364K, according to Realtor (4% more than the last year), you can make your house more desirable by undertaking bathroom remodeling if you’re planning to sell.
Another major reason for Chicago residents to remodel their bathrooms is mold accumulation in the nooks and crannies. Chicago’s hot and humid climate provides a perfect breeding ground for mold growth, especially in the bathroom. As a result, bathroom remodels in Chicago might be more common than in other parts of the state of Illinois because of this factor.
2. Make a budget
Next, you need to decide the budget for your bathroom remodeling project. You must know your finances and how much you can invest in bathroom remodeling.
Bathroom remodeling projects become quite an investment if you add labor, material, and other costs. So, make sure you can pay for all the essential elements in your bathroom remolding project.
Consider the following when making a budget for your project:
- Analyze your savings and review your income and any funds you can dedicate to remodeling your bathroom.
- Decide what you want to upgrade or improve in your bathroom. Allocate the budget to key areas of the bathroom and how much work they need. For instance, if the issue is with plumbing and outdated fixture, you may need to allocate more budget for renovating these areas.
- Research extensively before estimating the cost of remodeling any key area in your bathroom. Visit the market a few times to get multiple estimates for the cost of materials, accessories, and fixtures. Doing this will help you make a more realistic budget.
- You can also visit home improvement stores and consult home remodeling contractors when budgeting.
- Also, factor in the labor cost if you intend to hire professional workers and contractors for your home renovation project.
- If you have a limited budget and applying for a loan is not on the table, prioritize essential features instead of allocating money to less urgent and impractical updates. For instance, if you want to transform your bathroom’s shower, compare the cost of various styles (bathtub, walk-in tub, shower, etc.) and go with the changes that align with your budget.
- To stay within your budget, you can explore options that help you save costs without compromising the quality. For instance, you can look for sales, discounts, and combo deals for materials and fixtures and/or seek alternate, durable, yet cost-effective options.
3. Allocate a contingency fund
An important aspect people forget when making a renovation budget is to allocate contingency funds for unforeseen circumstances that may arise during bathroom remodeling.
The contingency funds act as a buffer for unexpected circumstances such as hidden damages, structural modifications, or design adjustments that were not part of the initial bathroom remolding plan. For instance, water damage might not be in your initial plan. Nevertheless, you may discover it behind the tub during a tub-to-bath conversion.
Since water damage is not something you should easily overlook, you will be forced to either eliminate some elements of your bathroom remodeling design to reallocate money to address water damage. Or you will have to arrange money urgently.
This situation becomes particularly stressful if you try to remain within a constrained budget. Therefore, it is advisable to allocate a contingency fund of around 10-20% of your overall budget to manage the unexpected costs or changes that may occur.
4. Upgrade your bathroom’s ventilation
All bathrooms need good ventilation to create a comfortable and hygienic environment. The bathroom is prone to accumulating moisture due to activities like showering, bathing, and hand washing. Therefore, when considering upgrading your bathroom’s comfort and appeal, consider improving its ventilation.
Without it, moisture buildup can ruin your bathroom’s paint and warp surfaces. Excessive moisture buildup also supports mold growth, retains unpleasant odors, and causes water damage.
You can improve your bathroom’s ventilation with the help of a window and window vent or by installing an exhaust fan. Any of these things can hinder moisture buildup, improving your bathroom’s environment and air quality. However, a drawback of windows is that besides giving way to fresh air, they also let pollen, noise, and pollution in. During winter, windows, if left open, also waste energy by allowing the cold air to enter the house. Looking at these issues associated with bathroom windows, an exhaust fan seems like a better option.
When choosing an exhaust fan, choose modern energy-efficient options. They come with low-power motors or timers that automatically turn off after a certain period. Doing this will conserve energy and reduce energy costs in the long run.
5. Make it luxurious
What is the harm in transforming your bathroom into a space which oozes opulence and luxury when you are already at it? You can create an indulgent atmosphere by adding the right elements of luxury.
By selecting gleaming marble tops, beautiful crystal fixtures, exquisite décor, and luxury tiles, you can elevate its appeal. The right material enhances your bathroom’s sophistication.
Some features you can consider to add a touch of luxury to make your bathroom luxurious are:
- A rain shower with multiple jets.
- A statement bathtub.
- Task lighting for grooming.
- Accent lighting to highlight architectural features.
- Plush, oversized towels embellished with intricate designs.
- Crystal vase with fresh flowers.
- Scented candles that make the air fragrant.
- Motion sensor faucets for touchless handwashing.
Conclusion
A bathroom remodeling project has many facets, such as planning, budgeting, designing, buying materials, etc. Therefore, it is important to consider some essential aspects, such as those mentioned above, before starting one. By considering these aspects, you can carry out the entire project seamlessly.
