Your bathroom. It’s one of the most widely used rooms in your home. It suffers from the most wear and tear. It may be looking a little outdated and sad, not to mention that tough mildew that just will not go away no matter how hard you scrub. It’s time to give your bathroom some love by remodeling it.
Any time you’re thinking of a large home improvement project, it can seem like a daunting process. When it comes to a bathroom, the process can seem even more stressful. You want the space to be hyper-functional and serene, practical and even a little bit luxe. There are many many decisions that you need to make along the way. From mirrors to grout, it’s time to figure out how to make your bathroom go from bland to fab!
Set a budget for your bathroom remodel in Los Angeles
The very first thing you want to do when considering a remodel is set a budget. A bathroom remodel can cost anywhere from $14,000 to $25,000, depending on materials, how much work is involved and plumbing that will need to be done. If that price makes you start second-guessing this whole bathroom remodel, just remember that your home will have a higher resale value after the remodel. In fact, most homeowners make up about 50% of the cost of the project in the resale value. The biggest factors to increasing the value of your home? Updating those worn-out cabinets, modernizing fixtures and creating a more functional space. That way you won’t just be increasing your resale value, but you will have a fresh new bathroom to use every day.
Now that you know how much a remodel usually costs, sit down with an experience contract and a designer to work out how to incorporate all the elements you want in your new bathroom at the price you’ve set.
Here are some questions you may want to consider as you plan out your new bathroom:
- How much can you spend? Budget now so you’re not disappointed later.
- What is your daily routine? The layout of your bathroom will depend on it.
- How much storage do you need? Add it now while it's easy. It will be harder to add storage later on.
- How many people use the room? Do you need double sinks, or will one suffice?
- What do you NOT like about your current bathroom? Don’t repeat the mistakes of the past. Get the bathroom that works for YOU.
Bathtub? Shower? Bath/Shower Combo?
For the best resale value, you want to have at least one bathroom in your home to have a bathtub. Do you have space for a separate bath and shower?
A free-standing tub is great for resale value, especially in a kid-friendly neighborhood. If your space isn’t big enough for a freestanding bath and shower, a shower/tub combo is your best bet. Your next decision will then be what kind of enclosure you want to use for your shower.
- Curtains: These make it easier when bathing small children. Plus, you can swap them out easily to make a style change.
- Glass Doors: This can make your shower feel more spacious.
- No Doors: Doorless? Yes! Choose waterproof surfaces and a central drain. Use a rain shower to avoid splashing and enjoy the most free-spirited of shower enclosures!
Now that you’ve considered your shower enclosure, let’s talk about what’s inside your shower. What kind of fixtures do you want?
- Thermostatic Shower Valve: It sounds like a lot, but they are amazing. It maintains the exact water temperature for the duration of your shower. So it doesn’t matter if someone flushes the toilet or turns on the kitchen faucet. Your shower will remain the same temperature.
- Showerhead: While you’re renovating your shower, why not swap out your showerhead? There are so many choices -- from a rainwater showerhead to a handheld showerhead to standard showerhead.
Tiles and Grout for Your Bathroom Remodel in Los Angeles
Going through books and stacks of tile samples can be mind-numbing. Unless you want to go for a very unique, custom designed look, there are really only a few key varieties of tiles you want to use for your shower. You want to use hardy, long-wearing and stylistically timeless tiles to keep your shower looking its best over many years. That means, you’ll be looking at porcelain, glass, natural stone, cemember and, of course, subway tiles -- those highly popular, shiny white rectangular tiles. Choosing the right tile can give your bathroom a clean, timeless look.
Once you’ve decided on the tile, now it’s time to consider the grout. It may seem like an afterthought, but grout is actually a very important thing to consider. It seals out dirt and water and can not only add style to your bathroom, but also firms up the structural integrity of your installation.
How to choose the right grout for you? Since grout can come in a variety of colors, it’s important to consider what you want your bathroom to look like. Do you want your grout to stand out or blend in with the tile? If the grout is going to be in a very wet place (like a shower), you want to opt for synthetic grout. You can use cementitious grout in the drier parts of your bathroom. Does dirty grout drive you crazy? Then you may not want to choose white grout for your bathroom.
Lighting Lighting Lighting
Bathrooms can tend to feel small and dark. They usually have the obligatory mirror. But since you’re renovating your bathroom, why not have the most flattering light possible? All it takes is a little planning. Of course you want to have the most flattering light in your bathroom.
The simplest way to light a bathroom is with a single diffuse light in the center of the ceiling. Maybe you want to include some wall sconces to a bathroom that’s already bright.
If you are thinking about ceiling-inset downlights, you want to avoid installing them directly over a light-colored countertop, which will reflect the lights. Instead, install that kind of lighting close to the wall over a vanity to maximize light when looking in the mirror.
Spend a lot of time doing your make-up in the bathroom? Consider vertical fluorescent light fixtures on either side of your mirror.
Don’t forget about storage in Your Bathroom Remodel in Los Angeles
If you want your bathroom to feel serene and well-functioning, put some time and consideration into good storage. Be sure to look for storage opportunities wherever possible when you’re planning your bathroom. That way the storage is incorporated into your design and doesn’t look like an afterthought. For example, you could place a couple of tall shallow cabinets for towels and recesses in your shower for toiletries.
Make those outlets accessible in your bathroom remodel in Los Angeles!
Few things are as annoying as trying to dry your hair when the outlet is over by the toilet. As you are designing your bathroom, make sure those electrical outlets are close at hand and as convenient. Do you like to charge your electric toothbrush in the medicine cabinet? Make sure there’s an outlet there. Do multiple people use the bathroom at the same time? Make sure you install outlets on both sides of the vanity to accommodate.
Whatever decisions you make regarding your bathroom remodel, remember it’s very important to discuss your style decisions with your contractor to make sure it stays within your budget.
Looking for a free estimate for your project? Call Los Angeles Bathroom Remodel today at (323) 402-6381.
