We renovate our bathrooms for two reasons – because they are old and dysfunctional or because we want to spice things up. Whatever the reason for your bathroom renovation may be, it is of key importance to do a lot of planning and thinking before you actually call a plumber or contractor. Take everything into consideration because there is no going back. Well, there is, but only if you are willing to spend a lot more time, energy, and money on this project. If you are not, then keep on reading as we will share with you 6 things to consider before remodeling your bathroom.
1. Plumbing
The bathroom is not just tiles, tubs, and toilets – some of the most important things are hiding behind your walls. Since you are renovating the bathroom, now is a good time to think about those pipes. Check their condition. They may be rusty, they may be clogged, or in the worst-case scenario – there may be some leaks.
If your pipes are extremely old, it would be a good idea to replace them. You can, for example, exchange your old 1½-inch pipes for 2-inch ones. These will not only last longer but they will also save you from cleaning those drains constantly. With them, bathroom plumbing maintenance will be much easier in the future.
2. Electricity and Wiring
Do not neglect the wires in your bathroom – they are one of the most important things to consider before remodeling your bathroom. If you never checked or replaced them, they are probably in a bad condition. This is especially important if you dry your hair in the bathroom – hair dryers require high power and they are capable of ‘misusing your electricity’. The same applies to your electric razors and toothbrushes, and all those hair tools.
So, call the electrician to check the electricity in your bathroom. Checking will be an inexpensive process! If everything is all right, you can just upgrade the outlets and the wires (these will last for decades). Moreover, checking the state of electricals in your bathroom will keep you safe too – we all know that bad electricity does not mix well with wet bathrooms!
3. Warm Floor
In the past, warm floors could be found only in those expensive mansions or in 5-star hotels. But, today, they are not a luxury but a necessity. So, if your dream is to walk on the warm bathroom floors, now you can do it. All you need is an electric mat that will be placed underneath your tiles. These mats are easily programmable, so you can set the temperature and the timing just how you like it.
However, have in mind that installing electrical mats requires removing your existing tiles, and probably exchanging them for new ones. This can be a big project, so make sure you have the money in your budget and enough time because this can take a while. Removing all the tiles means not being able to use your bathroom until everything is set up again. You will need to remove everything from your bathroom too and not use it for the time being. Luckily, if you want to keep excess things out of the way, you can just place them in big, sturdy storage bins – they will keep your items safe and away from all the mess.
4. Change the Tiles
If you did the three, previously mentioned steps, the only reasonable thing to do now is to change the tiles. Different tile color, as well as different shape and size of them, can transform your bathroom from top to bottom. It will make everything look brand new, clean, sanitized, and just more beautiful.
Changing the tiles is one of those bathroom upgrades that will increase your home’s value too. Thus, if you plan on selling your home sometime in the future, it would be a good idea to consider what would be the most appealing to the customers later on. You may like colorful tiles, but buyers usually prefer something neutral – so have that in mind before remodeling your bathroom and spending a fortune on things that may never get paid back.
5. Ventilation
Ventilation is one of those things that people just do not think about when remodeling their bathrooms. And when they do remember that it is necessary, it is usually too late. Thus, do not let ventilation be an afterthought. Install vents on time, when you have plumbers and electricians working in your bathroom.
Have in mind that there are many different ventilation options out there and that you will need to do a lot of researching before you find one that will suit your needs and your budget. Some are louder than others, some come with lights, and some come with humidity and temperature sensors.
6. Make Place for Toiletries
Last but certainly not the least thing to consider before remodeling your bathroom is making a place for toiletries. Of course, the easiest way to do add them is to use those plastic shower organizers and stalls. But, these not only look bad and cheap, but they are also taking up a lot of space. So, why not add a couple of cubbies here and there to maximize the space you have in your bathroom.
In order to do this, you will need to cut tiles and make a dent in your wall. Thus, plan out this bathroom renovation detail carefully – once you start cutting, there is no going back. Moreover, instead of tiles, consider using a bigger piece of stone or a solid-surface countertop. This way, you will avoid the constant grout lines clean up too.
