Let Your Budget Be Your Guide

Why are you remodeling your bathroom? Are you looking to increase your home’s appeal before putting it on the market? Or do you simply want to modernize a dated look? Maybe you recently had some good fortune, and you feel like splurging on a big, freestanding soaking tub. But if your budget doesn’t support your vision, you’ll have to strike a balance. Don’t give up though, many bathroom fixtures formerly considered higher end, like rain shower heads, are becoming more affordable.

Be Realistic About How Much Space You Have

You may long to separate the shower and the tub, but do you have the space for it? If you have more than one bathroom or plan to add one, you can control costs by having one bathroom with a shower while the other has the tub. However, most homes need a bathroom with a tub-shower combination.

Designers recommend you position the toilet so it isn’t the first thing you see when you enter the room. In small spaces you may not be able to hide the toilet behind a half-wall or on the far side of the vanity. Imagine where you’ll put the fixtures and how placement affects how you use the bathroom. Will you be able to reach towels from the tub and toilet paper from the throne, or is your layout awkward? Consult a professional bathroom designer for help figuring it out.

Focus on Function

Bathrooms that get a lot of use need durable fixtures. This is especially true if you have kids, who tend to regard toilets as garbage disposals, entertainment, and flush things that shouldn’t be flushed. Going for style and beauty is great for a lightly used  guest powder room, but consider how long a glass or painted porcelain vessel sink will last in a house full of rowdy kids. 

Taller toilets are easier for adults or those with limited mobility. If your kids are grown and you expect to age in place, or take in older relatives, look at higher versions. Also consider installing grab bars sooner rather than later.

Consider Efficiency

Bathrooms use a lot of water. Many fixtures are designed to conserve water, and lights that use less energy will save you money. 

Storage is another important issue that is often overlooked. Pedestal sinks save space, but don’t allow for under sink storage (unless you wrap the pedestal in a cabinet, and then what’s the point of the pedestal?) Decide how many cabinets, shelves, and towel rings or racks will fit and where you can put them. 

Choosing fixtures for a bathroom remodel requires attention to detail, a good sense of style, and an appreciation for practical function and durability.