Things to consider when thinking of a bathroom project

A successful home remodeling project is only as good as the research and planning that goes into it. Below are some things to keep in mind. I personally like to meet with my clients and figure out what works best together. Often times I draw up a few different layouts to help give my clients a visual of what the space could look like.

1. Storage

Don’t make storage an afterthought. We can absolutely plan it into the design. Perhaps there’s a space 24 inches in your bathroom where we could put in a linen closet. Recessed shelves in the new tile shower can also be done. Maybe a medicine cabinet may suit your needs better than a basic vanity mirror. All of these things are worth considering. Make a list of everything you plan on keeping in the bathroom, and then start imaging the space you’d like to have to keep it organized and accessible.

2. Cleaning

Some bathrooms are just easier to clean than others. For clients with chronic health issues such as arthritis, MS, or fibromyalgia we absolutely need to think about this. The new stand-alone tubs LOOK fabulous but do you or can you bend down to wipe it out frequently? Then there’s grout. You can have grout that blends in with the tile or stands out depending on the look you’d like to create but keep in mind the lighter the grout the more dirt and grime will show.

3. Aging in Place

Aging in place simply means making your current home functional for your needs not only in the present, but also down the road as you age. It used to be that downsizing into a small ranch style home or condo was the most common thing for seniors to do, but these days more and more clients are telling me they plan to be in their home for the long haul.

If your 60 now, getting ready to retire, and in pretty good shape still you may at first think that stand alone tub and some other features sound great but what if you stop and think about what you’ll need in 10-15 years? Would you want to remodel your bathroom all over again or make some adjustments now to make things easier later. Generally, the easiest change is taking out an outdated tub and upgrading it with a walk-in shower that has proper safety grab bars.

NEVER and I mean NEVER put in suction cup grab bars! My wife and I know an older couple that the husband did this for his wife with MS and she lost her balance, grabbed the bar which quickly released from the wall, and she fell onto the spigot and ended up in the hospital for two weeks.

4. Moisture

Bathrooms can be done wrong or right just like anything else. But something that is imperative to think about with a bathroom versus a living room or bedroom is the amount of moisture that will incur.

If done incorrectly, this can lead to problems further down the road such as mold, mildew, peeling paint and wallpaper, flooring damage, and health problems. Working with a professional that knows the need to use materials made specifically for the bathroom is truly important.