As the world is facing the second phase of lockdown, you might be wondering how you can make it productive, without losing the plot. Well, how about a bathroom renovation that you have been putting off for years; considering you have no other plans at present. This might be the perfect opportunity to get your creative juices flowing and keep your mind out of all the bad news.
However, keep in mind that even if you have an average UK sized bathroom (4.4 square meters), remodeling the bathroom is a costly venture. Not to mention, it will require a lot of planning and effort on your part. Now that we have this mandatory disclaimer out of the way, let’s crack on and find out how you can remodel your bathroom.
Plan What You Need In Your Bathroom
Assess what renovation you can do in your bathroom with the present design. Survey the existing fixtures, connections, and pipelines. Decide what will be more functional for your bathroom space, a bathtub, or a shower? To get a better perspective, get the measurement of your existing plan, including all fixtures, and create a rough sketch of that plan. If you want to change the positions of fixtures, it might result in uprooting the pipes, vents, drainpipes, and water supplies.
However, if you want to convert a half bath into a full bath or want more space in the bathroom, you can go ahead and move the fixtures. When planning a new bathroom, you should separate the dry zone (water closet and basin) from the wet zone (shower).
Carefully Choose the Fixtures
Choose your bathroom fixtures wisely. If you are planning to upgrade the fixtures, make sure you have enough space for the new fixtures. If you have a small space, a rectangular shower enclosure will fare better than a curved enclosure. Avoid fixtures or cabinets that have sharp corners or edges, children or even elders can get hurt by sharp edges.
In terms of material, favor porcelain or cast-iron fixtures over fiberglass or acrylic ones; they will last longer. Pick materials that are easy to clean and maintain. Avoid plastic plumbing fixtures; they might break down within a couple of years.
Plan an Ergonomically Approved Layout
When it comes to designing a functional space like the bathroom, every millimeter of space counts. Have you ever thought if your washbasin was right next to the bathroom wall, without even a millimeter of space between them, how clumsy you would feel to brush your teeth? That’s why it is recommended to have at least 38.1 cm space between the center of a fixture to any walls or obstacle.
Pay attention to the space you have between the fixtures and the space left for use. These little details can make a huge difference for your bathroom. If your current bathroom layout is functioning right, the distance between fixtures and the sequence of their position is perfect, you might not need to change the layout.
Keep an Eye on the Budget
While remodeling your bathroom is a great way to increase your property value, it is very easy to get carried away with a project and spend way more than what you initially intended. If you don’t make a solid budget before undertaking the project, you can get lured into spending more. Prepare a detailed budget for demolishing, getting new fixtures, material, transportation, and installation. Keep track of your budget so you don’t end up blowing the entire budget halfway through the remodeling.
Get Creative with Storage Space
If you don’t like bottles of shampoo and shower to be out on display for everyone, make provision for some storage space in your bathroom. Proper storage in the bathroom will make your life much easier. If the mere glass racks won’t suffice, be crafty and find out potential storage ideas for your bathroom.
However, don’t put a boxy cupboard in the bathroom for storage; install wall-mounted storage or drawers that are easier to operate. Even if you don’t have enough floor space you can make a storage rack using your vertical spaces. Just make sure your wall mounted floating rack doesn’t interfere with the functionality of the bathroom.
Ensure Proper Lighting
Lighting can have a significant effect on a space, especially a bathroom. Natural lighting is always the best solution for the bathroom; artificial lighting can make a small space feel hot. Besides, natural lighting will make your bathroom look larger than it is. While positioning the mirror, make sure your face gets proper illumination from the window.
If you are installing artificial lighting, make sure you can control the level of lighting. If you have to make a trip to the toilet in the middle of the night, the bathroom light shouldn’t hurt your eyes. Soft, shaded light will create a softer ambiance than a harsher overhead light.
Don’t Forget the Ventilation
Unless you want mold to grow in your bathroom, Ventilation is something you don’t want to ignore. Ventilation is crucial especially if you have wooden furniture in your bathroom. The condensation can make it a breeding ground for molds.
You can either have a window or an exhaust fan in your bathroom to remove the damp air. If you have a shower or bathing system in the bathroom you might have to depend on mechanical ventilation; as opening the bathroom window in winter is just not practical.
Put Some Personal Touch
Even though people spend the least amount of time in the bathroom, space needs to be comfortable and up to your liking. You can add some personal touch to your bathroom by showcasing some memorabilia, paintings, books, or plants. To get inspired, you can try some feng shui ideas that combine natural elements with our flow of energy. If you get this right, your bathroom can be a space where you can have a feeling of relaxation and also rejuvenate yourself.
On a final note, a proper layout is far more important than the aesthetic of your bathroom. Your bathroom layout should provide you maximum fluidity; not restrict your activities. If your head bumps with the water tap every time you bend down to wash your face, you should rethink your choice of fixtures. However, you don’t need to have a large luxurious bathroom with many fixtures to make you feel comfortable. With the right layout and design, you can enjoy the space even if it has the bare minimum fixtures.
