Your Home Maintenance Partner
Before jumping into all the nitty gritty, I figure it best to show the before and after shots.
Bathroom renovations can be costly and time consuming. If you aren’t ready to commit to a full fledged renovation, there are other options. We’ve compiled a short list of low cost, do-it-yourself bathroom upgrades that can be completed in a weekend (or less).
If your towel bars have seen better days and the faucets are leaky, it may be time to swap them out. Big box stores often have sales on these items. They even sell them in matching packs. Installation is pretty easy and usually only requires a screwdriver. Don’t forget about the switch plates, knobs and door handles.
Open any home decor magazine and you’ll likely see beautiful framed mirrors. It’s a great look but can cost a pretty penny. Luckily, you can get the look buy using your existing builder grade mirror. Use liquid nails (meant for mirrors) and ‘glue’ trim around the perimeter of the mirror. Home Depot and Lowes even sell pre finished trim so you can avoid painting and staining. All you need to do is make a few cuts and glue it up and you can have the same high end look as an expensive framed mirror.
This is the most obvious solution for changing any room. But have you considered using paint leftover from other projects? Bathrooms are generally small rooms. You can usually get by with half or even a quarter gallon of paint. If the bathroom cabinets have seen better days, you can slap a coat of paint or stain on those too. Just make sure to use rollers and brushes designed for cabinetry.
A new shower curtain and towels can change the entire look of a room. Add a new accent color to an existing color scheme or pop a bright pattern in a neutral painted powder room. Shower curtains can make a huge impact in a small space. Hang the curtain near the ceiling to make the ceilings appear taller. Just make sure to buy an extra long shower curtain or it won’t reach the tub!
Builder grade lighting is never flattering. Those hollywood lights are inexpensive and are often harsh. Find lighting that disperses light throughout the whole room. Add accent lamps to large bathrooms to make it seem more intimate and less cold. Just because it’s a bathroom doesn’t mean it can’t feel cozy and warm.
When you wish to make bathroom renovations, such as the installation of double bathroom vanities, learning more about the process can help you plan the renovations properly and make the remodel a success.
Why Are You Renovating?
Your reasons for renovating the bathroom can help you determine which products to purchase and how much money to allocate toward the changes. If you are remodeling to increase the value of your home prior to putting it on the market, you should focus on items and changes that appeal to a variety of people rather than your personal taste. A bright blue bathtub may appeal to you, but a white one is more likely to match the tastes of prospective buyers.
If you are renovating to make the room more accessible or comfortable, consider which items have the greatest priority. A total overhaul can become a costly endeavor. If you prioritize certain renovations, you can make the most important ones first and gradually make other changes as your budget allows. For example, if you need to make the shower area more accessible for an aging parent but also want to redo the wallpaper, you may want to purchase a walk-in bathtub before overwhelming yourself with wallpaper options and supplies. Walk in bathtubs are useful additions to bathroom space and can be paired with a shower curtain that suits your taste.
Minimizing the Mess
Focusing on the large and more expensive items first also helps you minimize the mess. It’s much easier to remove and replace all the fixtures first than it is to work on them after you make cosmetic changes to the walls. When dealing with plumbing, you are likely to encounter lots of dampness, and there is also the possibility of encountering mold and mildew. Getting this out of the way from the beginning will make the rest of your renovations easier and less stressful.
Choosing a Contractor
There are lots of questions you should ask before selecting a contractor. You want to be sure that you and your contractor are on the same page regarding your renovations before any work begins. Interview the local contractors. Ask your friends and family for recommendations. Depending on your schedule and ideal timeframe for the work to be completed, you may also need to discuss the contractors’ schedules. Without knowing their schedules before work begins, you could end up dealing with a dismantled bathroom for far longer than you had hoped or planned.
Discuss costs and warranties or guarantees as well. You may find a large price difference in the estimates provided by different contractors. Cheaper is not always better, however, so ask for detailed estimates. Some contractors may have connections for better prices on fixtures, whereas others may offer low labor rates because of inexperience.
Making It a Hassle-Free Experience
The bathroom is one of the most important and most frequently used rooms in the house. Prior to starting the renovations, make plans for managing your daily routine without having access to that room. If you have two bathrooms in your home, there is no need for this. However, if you have only one, you may want to make arrangements to spend a few days elsewhere.