July 22, 2024

Bathroom Renovation Checklist

Renovating your bathroom offers great benefits—here’s how to get started.

Homeowners are often looking for ways to improve their living space, and nothing improves your home’s resale value more than a great renovation. Within the home, there are plenty of spaces to renovate, but few add greater value and enjoyment than the bathroom.

After more than 70 years remodeling Denver area homes, we’ve got some great ideas on how you can maximize your bathroom renovation. Let’s explore some tips from our Interior Designers.

Making Your Brand-New Bathroom

Designing a new bathroom can range from a partial remodel (mostly cosmetic) to a full remodel (moving walls to make the space function better). With either type of remodel, there are many different features that can be changed or upgraded to provide a wonderful look. Each change will bring you closer to your dream bathroom. Before you get started, carefully consider your end goal. You want your new space to be a reflection of your style and have the right storage solutions for your personal odds and ends.

Assess your needs: Determine whether you need more space, better functionality, or simply a design update.
Create a vision board: Gather ideas and inspiration from magazines, websites, and social media to visualize your dream bathroom.
List your priorities: Define your must-haves and nice-to-haves early in the process to stay focused and within budget.

Planning and Budgeting for Your Bathroom Remodel

Before diving into the renovation, establish a clear budget and plan. Determine the scope of your project, research costs, and set aside a contingency fund for unexpected expenses. Start by identifying your must-haves and nice-to-haves, which will help prioritize your spending. Outline every aspect of the renovation, including design, materials, labor, and timelines. This will help you stay organized and ensure all elements are accounted for. Involve a professional designer or contractor early in the planning stages to get expert advice on cost-effective solutions and potential challenges you might not anticipate.

Set a budget: Allocate funds for design, materials, labor, and unexpected costs.
Research costs: Get quotes from multiple contractors and suppliers to compare prices.
Create a timeline: Plan the renovation schedule to avoid delays and ensure timely completion.
Consult professionals: Engage a designer or contractor early to gain insights and avoid costly mistakes.

Expert Tip: Allocate 10-15% of your budget for unforeseen issues that might arise during the renovation.

Walls and Flooring

Wall tiles are our favorite part of bathroom design. And tile is the ideal way to make your bathroom space uniquely your own. Do you want painted tile? A marble look, perhaps? Are you looking for something that offers a mosaic statement? Maybe a simple subway tile is more your style.

When it comes to flooring, don’t be afraid to think outside the box. We love taking a more traditional tile, then setting it in a non-traditional layout. There are thousands of tile options available. Each one is unique and can be used or even combined to make a style that is all your own. Don’t forget to think about slip-resistant tiles for anyone that may have mobility issues.

Choose your wall tiles: Select from painted, marble, mosaic, or subway tiles to match your style.
Consider flooring options: Look for non-traditional layouts and slip-resistant tiles for safety.
Mix and match: Combine different tile styles for a unique and personalized look.
Focus on quality: Invest in durable and easy-to-clean materials for long-lasting beauty.

Expert Tip: Choose larger tiles for a smaller bathroom to create a sense of space and reduce grout lines.

Showers and Bathtubs

Shower and tub configurations are highly personal style choices. You can add a traditional bathtub, such as a recessed tub, or a freestanding tub like a clawfoot or modern bowl-like tub. Shower decisions include glass style, benches, niches for soap storage, or even steam or walk-in showers to enhance your space. These features can be a huge change for your bathroom, offering you a chance to add both luxury and style. There are also many considerations if you want your new bathroom to be age-in-place ready, such as Grab bars, wider doorways, rocker light switches, and roll-to sinks.

Tub options: Choose from recessed, freestanding, clawfoot, or modern designs.
Shower features: Consider glass enclosures, built-in benches, soap niches, steam, or walk-in showers.
Accessibility: Plan for age-in-place features like grab bars, wider doorways, and roll-to sinks.
Luxurious touches: Add elements like rainfall showerheads, body jets, or built-in speakers for a spa-like experience.

Expert Tip: Consider a curbless shower for a sleek look and easier accessibility.

Sinks and Vanities

When you get ready in the morning, you need a place to handle the essentials. Why not make them beautiful in the process? Sinks come in styles like undermount, vessel, pedestal, and wall-mounted. The list of available fixtures for finishing out your sink is endless, and that means that you have a huge opportunity to customize here. Vanity counters you might consider include quartz, granite, tile, or soapstone. With edge profiles like bullnose, bevel, or chiseled.

Sink styles: Choose from undermount, vessel, pedestal, and wall-mounted options.
Vanity counters: Consider materials like quartz, granite, tile, or soapstone.
Edge profiles: Select from bullnose, bevel, or chiseled edges for a customized look.
Storage solutions: Incorporate drawers, shelves, and cabinets for organized storage.

Expert Tip: Double vanities can add significant value and convenience, especially in shared bathrooms.

Lighting

Proper lighting can transform your bathroom, making it functional and inviting. Combine ambient lighting for overall illumination, task lighting around mirrors for activities like shaving and makeup, and accent lighting to highlight features and create depth. Natural light from windows or skylights can really enhance the space.

Ambient lighting: Install ceiling lights for general illumination.
Task lighting: Add fixtures around mirrors for activities like shaving and makeup.
Accent lighting: Use wall sconces, under-cabinet lights, or LED strips to highlight features.
Natural light: Incorporate windows or skylights to brighten the space and save on energy costs.

Expert Tip: Use dimmable lights to adjust the ambiance according to different times of the day or activities.

Ventilation

Good ventilation is crucial to prevent mold and mildew growth, ensuring a healthy and comfortable bathroom environment. Proper ventilation helps to remove excess moisture, reduce odors, and maintain air quality.

Exhaust fan: Install a high-quality fan appropriately sized for the space.
Humidity control: Consider a fan with a timer or humidity sensor.
Placement: Place the exhaust fan near the shower or bathtub for maximum effectiveness.
Regular maintenance: Clean and maintain the fan regularly to ensure optimal performance.

Expert Tip: Consider a humidity-sensing fan that automatically adjusts its power based on the moisture level.

Storage Space

From drawers to shelves to medicine cabinets, bathroom storage is essential. Most of us keep quite a few items and tools in the bathroom. A good amount of storage can help you to take advantage of the space in your bathroom and put it to good use. Consider the everyday items that typically clutter your bathroom and plan dedicated storage solutions for them.

Cabinets and drawers: Plan for adequate storage space for daily essentials.
Shelving: Utilize space with tall cabinets or floating shelves.
Medicine cabinets: Convenient for storing smaller items and medications.
Custom solutions: Design built-in storage or niches for a seamless look.

Expert Tip: Utilize vertical space with tall cabinets or floating shelves to maximize storage without sacrificing floor space.

Fixtures and Accessories

The finishing touches, like faucets, towel bars, and mirrors, can pull your bathroom design together. Choose fixtures that complement your overall theme and offer both functionality and style.

Faucets: Match your sink and overall design.
Towel bars: Place them within easy reach of the shower or bathtub.
Mirrors: Choose styles that enhance the space and provide adequate reflection.
Accessories: Select soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, and other items that fit the design.

Expert Tip: Match your fixtures and accessories for a cohesive look, but don’t be afraid to mix metals for a modern touch.

The Takeaway

A bathroom upgrade is an exciting change for any homeowner. Whether you are styling your own private bathroom or you want something more extravagant for your guests, these renovations can help. The bathroom renovation Denver homes deserve can only be achieved by working with talented industry professionals. To learn more about how you can give your bathroom a brand-new look, feel free to contact us directly. We look forward to helping you create a bathroom you will love!