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Updating Your Bathroom Doesn't Have To Be Scary!
June 06 , 2004 by Sherribeth Jameson
You’ve been to the home and garden shows, you’ve scoured through the magazines, you’ve contemplated design ideas for months and perhaps years but still haven’t done anything! Do you have analysis paralysis? Are you tired of your bathroom but afraid to move forward with a design? If your answer is yes to the above, you’re not alone.
Updating or changing your bathroom can be a huge undertaking. However with proper planning it can add thousands of dollars to the value of your home!
It is very feasible that you could soon enjoy the benefits of a new bathroom after taking some very basic design factors into consideration.
As always, identify your budget. Be realistic and understand that as the project progresses you will find extra details you want to incorporate into your design. Next, identify and obtain the permits required for your remodel. And of course you will want to use licensed and bonded contractors. Most reputable contractors will warranty their work.
After you’ve done your homework above you can now move forward on the design. Identify the required functions of the new bathroom. Remember any special needs. Be sure to take into account the small spaces. Many times, it’s the small spaces that can require the largest challenges in allowing things to function properly. Be sure to consider lighting and perhaps extra vents to remove steam.
After the function needs are addressed, ask yourself “how do you want the room to feel?”. For instance, do you want it to feel like a spa? If so, you’ll probably want to use lots of natural stone such as travertine, lots of mirrors, lots of terry cloth towels, and clean lines. Using natural stone in neutral colors is a timeless addition to your home. If you end up having to sell your home quickly, the neutral colored stone will be a huge selling factor. In addition, natural stone virtually stands on its own. It doesn’t need a lot of embellishment because of the natural art that has already evolved in it.
Keep in mind that products look very different in the showroom than they will in your actual space. It is beneficial to use a design professional to help you identify potential inconsistencies with the way a product looks in a showroom versus your bathroom. In addition, if you’re working with natural materials such as travertine, marble, or limestone there can be unpredictable results in your final product if you’re not knowledgeable with the natural formations.
After you’ve spent lots of time in your design concept don’t forget to monitor the construction progress. Sometimes the wrong directions or requirements get communicated for the project. For instance, decorative tile could inadvertently get installed in the wrong place. Now, there is a cost for rework: cost for the tile, cost for the labor.
As it gets closer to completion, be sure to have the lose ends wrapped up while the construction crew is on site. After they leave it is difficult to schedule them to come back for short visits. After you’ve used the bathroom for the first time you will know all the work was absolutely worth it!
Sherribeth Jameson – Design Consultant
Personal Interiors 480.503.3906
www.Personal-Interiors.com
