Upgrading your bathroom can greatly improve your home's functionality and aesthetic. However, bathroom remodels require careful planning and design decisions to optimize the space. Follow these 5 expert tips when renovating your bathroom:
1. Try New Bathroom Colors
Choosing colors is one of the most impactful decisions when remodeling a bathroom. Consider the size, lighting, and existing elements like tile and cabinetry when selecting a color scheme.For expert tips on adding a pop of color to your shower screens, check out our guide.
For small bathrooms, bright whites make the space appear larger and reflect more light. A crisp white palette keeps things simple, clean, and airy. Incorporate texture with ceramic subway tiles, woven shower curtains, and fluffy white towels. Off-whites like almond, eggshell, and linen inject softness while still feeling light and spacious.
However, all whites can also feel sterile. Infuse personality with pops of color via artwork, rugs, and flowers. Pastels add soothing elegance to a white background. Consider pale blue, mint green, or lavender paint on one accent wall. Or echo the soft colors with tile design inserts, painted vanities, or colored metal fixtures. Just take care not to overdo it with too many strong colors in one tiny room.
Those partial to modern aesthetics may gravitate towards grey as the new neutral backdrop. Pair various shades of grey with metallic accents and cool-toned porcelain tiles for contemporary sleekness. Charcoal grey grounds the space, while silver and pewter finishes and mosaic tiles glitter.
Finally, earth tones promote a natural spa vibe. Warm beige, sand, and soft brown hues contrast beautifully with wood finishes. Dark-stained vanities pop against neutral earth-toned paint. Include lush potted plants, woven accents, and stone textures. For those desiring a tropical escape, layer greens, and terra cotta paint with rattans and bamboo decorative shelves. Just stick to 2 or 3 neutral earth tones as the backdrop.
2. Add Plants
Incorporating greenery livens up bathrooms of all sizes as an affordable way to inject color, freshness, and personality. Plants reinforce the spa-like tranquility for which many long from their homemade sanctuaries. Strategically add plants throughout the bathroom while keeping in mind their differing light, space, and humidity requirements.
Low-light indoor plants add vibrant pops of green to brighten up dim corners in the absence of windows. The snake plant, pothos, philodendron, and ZZ plant adapt well to low-light bathrooms when kept away from humid showers. Place these low-maintenance varieties on bathroom shelves, sinks, and floor corners.
For those desiring a tropical getaway, palm varieties emit a relaxing resort ambiance. The parlor palm and bamboo palm fill floor spaces with their sweeping fronds. Ferns like the Boston fern or fluffy moy fern add texture when suspended from hanging planters or placed on bathroom shelves. These tropical plants prefer the humidity from baths and showers.
Succulents and cacti make excellent bathroom plants as their ability to store water helps them thrive in arid bathrooms prone to drying out. Arrange succulents and cacti on the edges of sinks, tubs, and shelving to add visual appeal. Intersperse mini terracotta planters of succulents across glass shelves for eclectic styling.
When positioning plants, take care not to block storage spaces or the room's functionality. Also, consider plant maintenance needs - focus on resilient plants if lacking a green thumb. And don't forget to budget for planters to showcase your new greenery!
3. Rethink Storage
Lack of adequate storage plagued most bathrooms, resulting in cluttered counters and floors. When renovating, creatively enhance storage capacity through built-ins, freestanding furniture, and organizers.
For built-in storage, install pull-out vertical towers fitting inside narrow vacant spaces between wall studs. Integrate custom closet systems with handy pull-out hampers and integrated ironing boards. Designate an area for a recessed medicine cabinet to conceal toiletries behind the wall.
Repurpose any wasted space, such as installing shelving inside the area behind doors. Or fully maximize unused space with floor-to-ceiling shelving units filling up entire empty corners.
If dealing with a tiny bathroom, carefully evaluate the existing layout. Often, bulky vanities occupy precious real estate without providing optimal storage. Switching to a narrow pedestal sink or floating wall-mounted sink opens up floor space to then incorporate slim shelving units or a tall storage cabinet.
When selecting storage furniture and organizers, prioritize easily accessible, everyday essentials. Install extra-deep drawers for organizing towels while pull-out trays neatly store toiletries and medications. Door-mounted bins provide quick access to toilet paper and cleaning supplies.
Lastly, contain most toiletries inside the medicine cabinet to keep counters clutter-free. Use customizable closet storage solutions like slide-out trays, adjustable shelves, and hanging bars designed to optimize any unique storage space. Proper organization helps even the smallest bathrooms function efficiently.
4. Customize Vanities
As the bathroom's central furniture piece, the vanity sets the decorative tone for the whole space. Tailor the vanity to both enhance functionality and align the aesthetic with your interior design vision.
Evaluate your household's needs when selecting a shape and size. Fitting more users, double-sink vanities provide abundant workspace and storage with mirrors spanning 4 feet or more. For applying makeup, allow at least 2 feet of counter space clearance. Preferring an uncluttered look, floating minimalist vanities occupy less visual space with extended legroom.
Beyond sizing, personalize material and finishes. Align the color palette by choosing painted, stained, or laminated wood vanities that match the existing cabinetry. Tropical motifs shine through rattan or bamboo cabinet doors. For contemporary gravitas, select stone slab vanities of marble, granite, or quartzite.
Further customize with storage amenities and modern conveniences. Keep toiletries organized with pull-out trays and adjustable interior shelving. Install integrated lighting under or inside cabinets to brightly illuminate the workspace. For high-tech functionality, incorporate charging stations, Bluetooth speakers, and app-controlled smart mirrors.
Finally, don't overlook the sink and faucet as impactful finishing touches. Artistic sculptural vessel sinks serve as an avant-garde focal feature. Select on-trend mixed metal finishes like antique bronze or champagne gold for the faucet and handles. Keep the space visually balanced and allow sufficient clearance between all bathroom elements when designing your eye-catching custom vanity.
5. Separate the Shower and Tub
For those desiring hotel-inspired indulgence, separating showers and tubs tops many a wishlist. By partitioning the areas during remodeling, bathrooms gain defined spaces, allowing for roomier installations and increased privacy.
If sufficient space allows, create separate standalone alcoves for the tub and shower. This dedicated room-within-a-room style feels ultra-luxurious when decked out with high-end touches like rainfall showerheads, body spray jets, and soaking tub fillers. Surround each area with decorative tile, glass block walls, or fretwork partitions.
For more modest bathrooms, cleverly divide the shower and tub zones while maximizing functionality. Opt for a roomy walk-in shower lined up against one whole length of wall, with the soaking tub positioned perpendicular against another wall. Though in the same room, distinct placement and visual barriers shape defined areas.
In even tighter quarters, make use of corners and existing plumbing lines when installing new separate enclosures. A narrow shower stall fits into unused corners for a separate shower zone. Frame with a stylish curtain or glass door panels. Across the room, set a clawfoot slipper tub under the room's window to capitalize on natural light. Voila - pampering shower and relaxing tub without sacrificing style or spaciousness.
When altering drainage and ventilation during remodeling, ensure all structures adhere to standard building codes. With mindful spatial planning, even tiny bathrooms can support segregated showers and tubs.
Approaching a bathroom remodel attentively leads to an improved, functional space that meets your household's needs for years to come. Keep these expert tips in mind when evaluating renovations - colors, plants, storage, vanities, and shower versus tub spacing. Paying attention to details will elevate your new bathroom from drab to fab!
