Bathroom
3 Expert Tips For Planning A No-Regrets Bathroom Reno
PHOTOGRAPHY / VIRGINIA MACDONALD, COURTESY OF HGTV CANADA / BATH FIXTURES, Kohler, kohler.ca. TILES, Sapienstone porcelain (wall), hexagon (floor), Ciot, ciot.com.
Bathroom
3 Expert Tips For Planning A No-Regrets Bathroom Reno
Homeowner, know thyself, and learn how to plan, plan, plan for a bathroom you’ll love.
The bathroom is a small, complicated and expensive space to renovate. Once you start, there’s no turning back! To be renovation ready, ask yourself the right questions and have all your plans in place to avoid delays and get the bathroom you’ve always dreamed of.
Making Plans
Of all renos, the bathroom requires the most detailed plans. Before getting started, ask yourself: Are you a tub person or a shower person? Have you included enough storage? Have you planned for layered lighting with sconces and pots? Will all your toiletries fit in your shower niche? Next, make concrete plans – you’ll need plans for electrical, plumbing and ventilation, as well as a floor plan and elevation drawing. The elevation drawing, in particular, is key to visualizing your bathroom. It will ensure you’re not surprised by the finished project: your bathroom should look like your elevation drawing. Everything that’s fixed in place should be detailed on the plan, including the small things, such as the toilet paper holder, towel bar placement and even where the wastebasket will go. Keep this full set of plans on-site in an easy-to-find spot for your trades; it’s the best way to keep your reno moving.
Don’t Forget
Small finishing details like wall and grout colour, edging for tile, and cabinetry hardware often get forgotten until the last minute. Selecting things on the fly is a surefire way to put a pause on your project. Take care to advance-plan things like mirrors, waterproofing, trim details and even thresholds (where floor materials change, for instance, or the curb of the shower). Keep a checklist of everything you’ve ordered. If you have the space, store and organize your materials away from the reno chaos. Go over all the parts with your contractor when deliveries arrive. There’s nothing worse than cancelling a plumber and delaying work because you’re missing a small but crucial part like a valve (it happens!). It helps to work with a designer who can spot omissions. And don’t overlook the knowledge of bathroom showroom salespeople; they can help to ensure you’ve purchased everything you need. Also, ask questions about how to care for items before you commit. Some people are surprised that natural stone counters and floors need to be resealed every year.
On Trends
These days, we’re bombarded with images on social media. It’s hard not to love everything and tire of trends in a blink. Be sure to ask yourself: Do I love what I’ve chosen and will I like it for years to come? Can it be updated in the future? In this bathroom, from HGTV Canada’s Save My Reno, our homeowners liked green but worried they’d love it less after a short time. So, instead of installing emerald green tile, we opted for a green vanity, which can be painted black or navy in the future and refreshed with new hardware. Fixtures like faucets and shower kits can be tough choices. We often worry that a finish will date, but I am a big believer that paint, fabric, accessories and even art can bring new life to a well-planned, if slightly dated, bathroom.
Forever Finishes
These classic design elements will stand the test of time.
- Subway tiles
- Linen Roman shades
- Chrome fixtures
- Wood vanities
- Art Deco details
- Marble hexagon or penny round marble floors
- White porcelain sinks, tubs and toilets
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