Spring 2019 Guide to Renovating Your Bathroom

 

A bathroom remodel is one of the most popular home renovations because the floor plans of the modern-day bathroom have evolved from the days of using the cramped bathroom many of us used growing up.

In the past, a bathroom’s function was strictly for utility purposes; which explains why the entire room was just big enough to fit a bathtub, toilet, and a sink.

Growing up you might remember:

 

• Seafoam green bathtubs with matching tile,
• Sinks with no storage, or
• Wall-to-wall carpet installation.

 

Fast forward to today, contemporary bathrooms are designed with lofty space and additional goals in mind: to relax and restore your well-being.

The sizes of a master bathroom in newly constructed homes are double and sometimes triple the size of bathrooms of the past and are designed with modern day luxuries and comforts.

Current bathroom renovations include spa-themed functionality like free-standing spa bathtubs and large all-glass showers with bench seating.

Other modern trends incorporate plenty of hidden storage, large windows, and mosaic tiled floors.

A lighting plan is very important to include in your bathroom renovation cost. By combining a mixture of natural and artificial lighting, you can instantly create different levels of light and change the functionality of the light. The brighter light settings are ideal when getting ready for work and the dimmed lighting is perfect for a long soak in the tub.

A beautiful example is adding the natural light of a skylight and combining it with the artificial lighting of an all-glass chandelier, accent and puck lighting. This lighting scheme will help create your perfect sanctuary.

So if you’re dreaming to remodel your outdated cramped bathroom, where do you start? Your first step is to create an in-depth bathroom remodel plan.

• To modernize the overall look?
• For re-sale purposes?
• To install a senior-friendly layout?

• Guest bathroom?
• Kid-friendly bathroom?
• Adults only?

• Need more storage?
• To relax and restore body and mind?
• Ditch your tub and use the extra space for an expansive shower?

• A shoe-string budget that includes paint, a few new fixtures, and décor?
• All new fixtures, expand shower, add window or skylight?
• Tear out with new plumbing, electrical and redesign from scratch?

With unlimited possibilities, it is important to plan your budget carefully.

A good rule of thumb is to add an extra 20% to bathroom renovation cost to cover the unexpected.

According to Home Advisor, a small bathroom remodel averages $6,500. For a completely new bathroom cost, you will likely pay up to $250/sq feet for high-end fixtures installed by a licensed contractor to $70/sq. ft for low-end fixtures you install yourself. The total cost ranges from the low end of $1,500 to the high end of $15,000.

If you plan on new wiring, plumbing or high-end fixtures you could be looking at cost of $50,000 and up.

 

Shower remodel and tub combination $1,400-1,600(includes installation, plumbing modifications, fixtures, and sinks)

 

Install a full stand-alone shower $700-800includes installation

 

Installing sliding glass door $100-$300

 

Shower Liner Installed $420

 

New Shower Pan $100-$600

 

New Shower head $20-$300

 

Cost estimates from Angie’s List

 

If you decide to retile your shower plan on spending:

 

• $2-$5 per square foot of tile with
• The cost of labor averaging $10-$15 per square foot.

 

Other shower remodel ideas:

 

• Steam shower generator,
• Pebble rock massage flooring,
• Built-in bench,
• Water resistant Bluetooth shower speaker

 

No matter what your bathroom renovation budget, when you are ready to bring your bathroom renovation ideas to life, call Blue Mills Plumbing at 816-254-9416. We have helped Kansas City neighbors renovate their bathrooms for decades and we would be proud to help you with your bathroom remodel.

 

Spa-like designs to promote spa-like experiences, aromatherapy steams showers

Would you like to transform your bathroom into a spa retreat where you can relax and de-stress from the daily grind?

The good news is every budget can achieve the spa-like bathroom remodel.

Try a few of these simple ideas:

• Paint the walls a calming white, beige, gray or a combination
• Add gray tilework to the floors
• Incorporate rich dark wood
• Use softly patterned wallpaper
• Hang glass shelves
• Add an aromatherapy diffuser
• Add a steam shower
• Roll up big fluffy white towels
• Change out shower head to a multi-head
• Add some Feng Shui décor
• Place windows higher than normal
• Use sliding glass French doors
• Replace your tub with a soaking tub
• Separate your bathtub with a Japanese Shoji screen
• Find a piece of artwork for your inspiration
• Finish the room with trim and molding
• Add plants or flowers
• Include a tiled alcove
• Enclose your bathtub in a dark a rich dark wood box
• Include a heated towel rack and bath mat
• Floor to ceiling linen draperies

By using crisp clean lines you can create the spa the atmosphere in your own bathroom. Every day can be a mini-retreat!

Crisp and clean neutrals are perfect for a bathroom remodel when trying to achieve a relaxing calm ambiance throughout the entire room. Neutral colors include beige, light browns, gray and light blues. Add some brightness to the room by painting the trim white.

Inspirations for neutral tone bathrooms:

• Add a pleated burlap shower curtain
• Metallic floral wallpaper
• Leopard vanity seat
• Walnut vanity cabinet
• Mosaic Tile
• Weather wood vanity
• Chocolate brown and white curtains
• Filigree chandelier above the tub
• Chunky woven baskets
• Natural wood mirror

Monochromatic designs are a modern sanctuary for comfort and cleanliness.

Classic Tile and motifs

Classic tile is one of the most popular bathroom renovation ideas because it can help accentuate other design elements in the room. White tile against a gold vase helps tie the whole room together. Your tile choices are endless; from classic subway tile to marble to beautiful Italian mosaic, they all provide a smart investment to your bathroom remodel.

Adding Tile to Backsplash and Walls

Marble tile in Italian Carrara is a perfect backsplash for elegant bathroom renovations. Porcelain mesh-mounted mosaic tile adds a classic touch to your bathroom walls. Tile can be affordable and easy to install. It is also engineered to last a long time and cleanup is a breeze.

Adding Tiled Floors

Reimagine your bathroom floors tiled in hexagon porcelain mosaic tile or New York SoHo “Brick-Lookalike” Porcelain tile. Not only does it bring a contemporary attractive touch to your bathroom it is also durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic.

This spa-inspired trend has officially returned.

Bye-bye gray, hello black! A bathroom designed in black is one of the biggest trends this year. Black tile is bold and eye-catching but needs lots of natural and artificial light. Silver and brass faucets and fixtures increase the reflective effect and bring all of the details together.

Mix black tile with:

• White tile
• Neutral wall paint
• Bands of wallpaper
• Large contrasting mirrors
• Add green plants
• Floating light wood cabinets
• All glass chandeliers
• A contrasting coat of paint on your door frame
• All glass shower door
• Marble counter tops
• Touch of gold

A bathroom decorated in black makes an elegant timeless statement that will impress the best company.

If you have space, try an open concept bathroom design with a steel or glass barrier.

A popular design in the list of bathroom renovation ideas is the Open Concept design. The open concept bathroom becomes an extension of your bedroom but without the doors. Open concept opens up the entire space between the bedroom and bathroom to make space feel larger and increase the amount of natural light. Typically, the plan includes a freestanding bathtub and contemporary all-glass shower.

Some open concept designs include a steel or concrete half wall, large pocket sliding doors or sliding partitions to add some privacy. The toilet can be surrounded in glass, or wood or stone partition or wall.

You will want to ensure the bathroom motif synchronizes with the bedroom in order to achieve balance.

There are a few disadvantages of the open concept design. Lack of privacy, noise, and uneven temperatures can be a nuisance as well as messy wet floors.

But if you tackle those problems up front, the open concept remodeled bathroom can create a gorgeous environment for you to live and relax.

Exposed industrial plumbing, paired with white modern marble.

A bathroom remodel that incorporates exposed plumbing can create a minimalist style with many interesting options. Any plumbing in your bathroom can be showcased in this concept. Another simple idea is to upgrade your plumbing fixtures with copper accessories. Faucets, drains, shower heads are available in copper and can give this design a big impact. Copper can be mixed with white marble, stone, concrete, wood and metal elements to create a warm, welcoming space. Try using copper faucets with a light colored stone sink. Be aware that copper tarnishes so before you commit to copper, be certain you have the desire and time for regularly scheduled cleanings. A mixture of lemon juice and salt is a great cleaner for copper.

Another way to achieve the industrial look is to paint the exposed pipe. Paint the pipes a bold color if you want them to highlight the room. If you want a subdued look, paint them in a color that will blend into the walls.

Wrapping pipes with rope is another way to include exposed pipes in your design. You should always consult with a plumber about any hazards, code regulations and safe practices of exposed pipe. When done right, you can create an industrial-themed bathroom that is awe-inspiring.

High-contrast, large-scale wallpaper expands a small space.

Everything old is new again and wallpaper is making a big comeback in remodeled bathrooms.

Wallpaper is an inexpensive way to add bold color and high impact to small bathroom renovations. When you have a small bathroom area with no windows and little light, large-scale high contrast wallpaper can heighten your cramped space and make a dramatic statement.

Wallcoverings are an interesting way to brighten up a small space with beautiful welcoming patterns including graphics, wallpaper murals, dark floral patterns, light whimsical florals, and sleek matte finishes. The wallpaper patterns provide instant transformation and flair of drama to an otherwise diminutive space.

Small spaces excel as a canvas for a big statement, statement art.

A great piece of art is a vivid way to give a small bathroom the illusion of appearing larger by drawing your attention to the art instead of the size of the space. To add more depth to your wall find a piece of art that you love that radiates bold interesting colors. Gold leaf framed paintings play up the contrast and generate the illusion of deepness.

Another small bathroom remodel idea is to use small prints and photos and enclose them with a border and pair them with large exaggerated frames. This creates a clean open space that can lengthen the height of a wall.

Reflective mirrors can also open the room, especially when placed opposite a window. The natural light reflecting from then mirror increases the amount of light streaming through to the room. Try hanging mirrors across from each other to expand the space of the room

 

Brutalistmaterial mixed with organic elements, concrete with woods, steel, porcelain,and resin.

 

Need more bathroom renovation ideas? Mesh organic elements with Brutalist architecture in your bathroom tocreate an organic minimalist concept. Bymixing a few contrasts together, you create a natural clean look.

 

 Mix with

 

Steel Charcoal Tile

 

White Stone Wood

 

Resin Organic Drapes

 

Be sure to mix artificial lighting and natural lighting in this designto create interesting light and shadows.

 

The combination of stripped back elements paired withorganic produces a harmonious style that adds a Zen-like appeal to yoursurroundings.

 

Additionaltips:

 

Install toilets, faucets and showers that are EPA Water Sense approved (look for the label) and you can save up to 7,000 gallons ofwater annually.

 

Purchase Belgium linen shower curtains that are grown without pesticides.

 

Make your own shampoo, conditioner, and soaps with essential oils and leave out chemicals such as sulfates.

 

Clean your bathroom with homemade bath cleaner like this one:

 

1. Mix 1-2/3 cup baking soda
2. With ½ cup castile soap
3. Add ½ cup water
4. 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
5. Pour mixture in spray cleaner bottle and shake thoroughly
6. Squeeze mixture onto tub and tile
7. Scrub with a sponge
8. And rinse with water

 

No matter if you prefer the organic elements design or exposed plumbing, when you are ready to bring your bathroom renovation ideas to life, call Blue Mills Plumbing at 816-254-9416 . We have helped Kansas City neighbors renovate their bathrooms for decades and we would be proud to help you with your bathroom remodel.