No remodeling project is without its hiccups. From minor mistakes to major issues, a bathroom renovation can come with some unexpected problems. However, many mistakes are easily avoidable. Before you start your 2018 renovation project, keep these bathroom remodeling mistakes in mind so that you can avoid them. 
1. Gutting the Bathroom Without a Solid Plan
Once you decide you’re going to take on a bathroom remodeling project, you’ll likely be eager to get started. However, hold off on hammering away at the tile and dismantling the sink before you have a plan. Gutting your bathroom without having a solid plan is one of the biggest mistakes that you can make.
The renovation could take twice as long if you start ripping out fixtures and making a mess without knowing how or when you’ll repair and replace things. Sit down and create a realistic plan for the bathroom. Think about the best time to undertake the project, and check your family’s schedule. The more prep and planning that you do, the smoother the remodeling project will go.
2. Not Having a Budget
You should never start any remodeling project without having at least a basic budget in mind. A budget will help to give you a clear idea of how much you’ll need to spend to achieve the look you want. Costs can quickly spiral out of control if you don’t sit down and go over the numbers before you begin. Take the time to do some research on the cost of the materials and labor to get the bathroom renovated just the way you want it.
3. Leaving Out a Feature You Really Want
Once your bathroom remodel is completed, you don’t want to have any regrets. If there’s a feature you have your heart set on, be sure to include it in the project. Consider that you likely won’t be doing a remodel again for at least a few years, so it’s important to get it right this time.
If cost is an issue, make a budget and set a plan for saving so that you can include the elements you truly want and need. You want a completed bathroom that you’ll love, not a disappointment, so don’t forgo a feature you would really like to have.
4. Not Working With a Professional
There are some things that no homeowner should try to do on their own. These include plumbing and electrical work. Unless you’re a plumber or an electrician, it’s a mistake to try to tackle these tough tasks on your own. Hire a professional to handle the work so that it’s done safely and correctly. You could make a costly mistake at best, and be risking your safety at worst. Spend the money to hire a pro before moving plumbing or rewiring the electrical in the bathroom.
A bathroom remodeling project is an exciting way to update an important space in your home. Avoid these mistakes to ensure that the final result is one that you’ll love for years to come. Contact us today if you have any questions or would like to start planning your dream bathroom.
After completing a bathroom remodel, the last thing that you want to do is to let it get dirty, messy, and disorganized. With regular upkeep, your beautiful bathroom will look fresh for years to come. These smart organization and cleaning tips will ensure that your new bathroom maintains a neat and tidy appearance you can be proud of. 
It’s a task that no one enjoys, but deep cleaning is essential. This includes scrubbing the shower, tub, and toilet, wiping down the sink and counter, cleaning the mirror and windows, and mopping the floor. By tackling dirt and grime before it builds up, you can maintain the look of the important details in the bathroom, like grout and fixtures. Deep cleaning keeps the space healthy and sanitary, as well as visually appealing. If you’re pressed for time or simply hate the task of cleaning, consider hiring a housekeeper. It’s an affordable and practical way to maintain the cleanliness and neatness of your entire home.
A clutter-free bathroom will help you to feel more relaxed in the space. Take a few minutes each day to cut the clutter by putting things back in their designated places. Don’t let items pile up on shelves and countertops. When a product is used up, like shampoo or toothpaste, throw it away as soon as it runs out. Put dirty clothes and linens in a hamper and transfer it to the laundry room frequently.
If your vanity has drawers, use small organizers to keep them tidy. You can find a variety of affordable options in different sizes to fit snugly in your drawers. It will also save you time from trying to find what you need when you’re getting ready, as well. Shelves can also be kept neat with simple baskets or small bins. They can serve both a decorative and functional purpose. If you have counter space, use a basket to keep extra hand towels.
If you often go through a drawer and find a product that you haven’t used in years, you aren’t alone. Many homeowners simply don’t take the time to go through drawers and cabinets to toss out old items. However, it’s a great way to stay organized. Check the labels on things like over-the-counter medicines and personal care products, and throw away anything that’s old or expired. Let go of cosmetics that you no longer use to make space for the things you do use regularly. Cabinet and drawer cleanouts are a great task to add to your spring cleaning checklist.
Keep your bathroom remodel looking brand new for years to come by following these simple cleaning tips. Start off with an organized space and take the time to clean often. By keeping up with deep-cleaning and tidying, you’ll be able to enjoy a beautiful bathroom that provides a relaxing respite in your home.
Many homes have guest bedrooms with adjoining bathrooms. However, because this room is not continuously used, it can quickly become dull and outdated. Fortunately, it is not as difficult as it may seem to transform a lackluster guest bathroom into a luxurious, welcoming space for house guests. The suggestions offered below will make this project a bit less daunting:
To create a modern, luxurious guest bath, consider the addition of a vessel sink or vanity, and a spa shower. Vanities made from bamboo or natural wood are currently popular among many homeowners. A spa shower featuring a rainforest shower head is particularly luxurious and will impress any guest. The spa shower and vessel sink will add comfort and style, and the combination will create an overall welcoming presence in the room.
Natural light is lacking in a lot of bathrooms, as windows in a bathroom create privacy concerns. However, if the guest bathroom is located on the home’s second floor, a skylight can easily solve this problem, as well as add a luxurious touch to the room. Skylights also instantly modernize a room’s appearance, while providing extra light as an additional benefit.
Suspended fixtures are accessories that can update the look of any room, particularly a bathroom. For instance, if your goal is a luxurious and unique guest bath, a toilet and sink can be affixed to the wall in such a way that they appear suspended in midair. Suspended shelves and frameless glass shower doors could also give the room a contemporary look.
Mirrors have become bathroom essentials. They are both decorative and practical. Framed mirrors are a great option when creating a luxurious bathroom, and the styles and designs available are limitless.
Brightening the room with a fresh coat of paint, such as today’s popular pastel shades, instantly breathes new life into the room. This is a simple way to change the feel of the room and set the stage for new décor.
Accessories are also important to update. Replacing old, dull fixtures with new, modern ones is a great place to start. If you are not sure where to start, items with gold finishes are currently popular, as are fixtures with colored enamel coatings. Natural wood and live edge accents are also popular.
Hotel-style towel racks are also making a splash this season. Because these towel racks are stackable and hold multiple towels, they also save space, which makes them a good choice for small guest bathrooms.
Due to their infrequent use, guest bedrooms and bathrooms are frequently overlooked. However, when the time comes to update your home’s guest bathroom, the tips mentioned above will ensure luxurious results that will provide welcoming comfort to every guest. If we’ve inspired you, contact us today to start designing your remodel!
The start of a new year is the perfect time to plan for updates and remodeling projects around your home. Your budget may be holding you back, but with proper planning, you can save what you need to give your bathroom a fresh look. Here are some tips for saving money so you can afford a beautiful new bathroom in 2018:
One of the first things you need to do is look at the areas where you can cut back and spend less. Take an honest look at your weekly and monthly expenses, and see where you can make cuts. By reducing your expenses, you will have more leftover to put into your savings.
In order to ensure your savings won’t be spent on other things, you should create a dedicated savings fund. You may want to open a new account with your bank that is connected to your checking account. This will allow you to easily transfer money to save for the project. You’ll be able to watch the savings build up over time, and keep better track of your progress.
If a home renovation project is a priority for you, then you will need to reduce your spending on other things. Make a list of your top priorities and allocate money toward them. A bathroom remodel is an excellent priority because it will add value to your home and give you an updated space to use and enjoy every day.
If you don’t already have a budget, now would be a great time to make one. A budget allows you to see your monthly expenses and to track where your money is being spent. You can also determine how much money you would like to spend on a new bathroom, and inhibits you to save more since you can easily identify the categories where costs can be reduced.
Proper planning is one of the keys to keeping the costs of a remodel in check. As you start saving for a new bathroom, you can begin to plan it out. Think about what you would like to have in the space and what elements may need to be replaced. We offer free in-home estimates, so one of our bathroom remodeling experts will be able to tell you exactly how much you need to save. By planning ahead, you can have realistic expectations about the total cost and the completion of the remodel.
Contact us to start planning and saving for a beautiful new bathroom. The new year brings the opportunity to make improvements in both your home and your budget.
When doing your holiday decorating at home, don’t forget about the bathroom decor. There are many fun, festive, and easy ways to dress up this space for the holiday season. A few simple touches can transform it into a cheerful spot. Here are some ideas for decorating your bathroom for the holidays:
A very easy way to bring the spirit of the season to the bathroom is by changing out the linens, rug, and shower curtain. Choose holiday prints and patterns for hand towels and bath towels. There are many design options to select from for shower curtains, as well. You could also keep it simple by choosing a color scheme like red and green or red and white.
Select decorations to place on top of the toilet and the counters that are easy to clean. For busy bathrooms that get a lot of use, it’s important to be able to keep them clean, especially if you’re hosting guests. Use that as a guide to choosing decor items. Decorations with smooth ceramic surfaces can be wiped down and dusted quickly, which is a must in a bathroom. Avoid items with a lot of glitter, or items made out of fabric. Don’t clutter the counters with items, but do add some charm to a few select holiday pieces.
Add a candle or an air freshener with a sweet holiday scent such as a spruce tree or warm vanilla sugar. It will bring that extra touch to the bathroom, where an air freshener is always needed. A lit candle on your countertop can be the perfect accent in this space when hosting family and friends for holiday gatherings.
When dressing up your home for the holidays, take the time to select decor for the bathroom. It’s a small space, but can easily add to the holiday charm.
If you aren’t carrying your design sense and decorating skills into the bathroom, you’re missing an opportunity to showcase your style. It’s a small space that can make a statement, enhancing the overall look of the rest of the interior. When doing a remodeling project in the bathroom, keep these tips in mind on how to make space compliment your home decor:
You don’t have to match each room in order to get a great look, but the colors that you choose for the walls should flow together. Select a color scheme for the bathroom that doesn’t clash with the surrounding rooms, but complements them. You can add more specific details with other colors, such as with the shower curtain and the linens. Keep the wall colors similar in tone to the rooms closest to the bathroom.
Don’t be afraid to use decor items in your bathroom. You aren’t limited to functional items and wall art when it comes to decorating. If you have to shelve, add a few little touches to them that are purely decorative. When space is limited, you may have to limit the amount of decor you can use. Add your chosen decorations to the vanity, window sill, and other surfaces. You could also include fresh flowers and greenery, as well. This will give the room a natural, airy appeal. Simple, stylish pieces that are similar to what you’re displaying in other rooms are ideal.
When the rest of your home is beautifully decorated, don’t leave the bathroom out. Give it personality with carefully chosen details, colors, and textures. The bathroom, whether it’s a master bath or a powder room, is a blank canvas that you can dress up in your personal style to compliment and accent the interior design of your whole home.
When doing a remodeling project, you simply can’t overlook the importance of bathroom lighting. It’s a space that you spend a lot of time in, and it needs to be comfortable and well lit. Here’s what you need to know about how to light your bathroom:
Brighten It Up
You want your bathroom to be a functional space, so it has to be bright. That’s why it’s necessary to use both task and ambient lighting. Task lighting should be added around or above the vanity and mirror. This makes it easier to do everyday things like apply makeup and shave. The room has to be brightly lit for these types of tasks.
If space allows, you will also want to have a light mounted above the tub or shower stall. Ideally, there should be a light placed at both ends of the tub to create an even cast of light.
Consider LED Lighting
LED lighting is a great energy saving option. One of the reasons many people have avoided them in the bathroom for years is because they don’t provide the warmest light. However, they’ve been significantly improved over the years. LED lights best used in combination with incandescent bulbs to create the right warmth and coloring in the space.
Avoid These Lighting Mistakes
One of the biggest mistakes that you can make when installing lighting during a remodel is not adding enough of it. Having more lighting is better than having less. Use dimmers to make one lighting fixture multi-functional. This is especially helpful if you’re working with a smaller room or on a tight budget.
Placement of the lights is also important. If you place a fixture directly overhead of where you’ll be standing at the sink and vanity, it can create a harsh, unflattering look. Determine the most practical spots to install lights that also offer the most flattering illumination.
Although it may be a smaller space in the home, your bathroom’s design shouldn’t be overlooked. This room gives you an opportunity to showcase your style with simple touches. By decorating your bathroom, you can make it your own. Here are 5 ways to add personality to your bathroom:
Be bold and choose a color that you truly love. You can always find accessories that will complement or match the color on the walls. Don’t be afraid to opt for a color that you wouldn’t use in another room in the home.
From framed artwork to functional baskets, you can add decorations to the bathroom for a stylish look. Consider changing out your decor each season. Hand towels, the shower curtain, and simple accessories on countertops are easy ways to dress up the decor.
If you want to make a big splash on one wall, consider wallpaper. There are so many beautiful designs to choose from today, and they can give you an elegant, modern look. Try using it on the wall with vanity to create a focal point in the bathroom.
Instead of using standard hardware and fixtures, opt for something unique. You can find a wide variety of bathroom fixtures online, so there’s no need to settle for something basic and boring. From the showerhead to drawer pulls, select designs that truly speak to your personal style.
Rather than settling for plain tiles laid out in a basic pattern, consider trying something colorful and creative. You can create a unique look with detailed tile work. Even something as simple as a single row of colored tiles added into a basic subway design can bring an original look to the room.
Bathrooms don’t have to be basic and boring. They’re a smaller room in the home that can have a big personality. With these ideas, you’ll be able to breathe new life into an ordinary bathroom and show off your personality in the space.
The changing season brings the opportunity to do fresh decorating and staging throughout the rooms in your home. Put away the summer decor of bright colors and seashells, and bring on the rich tones of crispy leaves and pumpkins. The autumn is the perfect time to add warm colors and create a cozy, rustic feeling in every room. Fall is a season that calls for decor that incorporates natural elements like leaves, pumpkins, pine cones, and gourds.
Harvest Decor
Pumpkins are an essential part of fall decor. You can use fake or real pumpkins of varying sizes and colors, both inside and outside of the home. Use them on tablescapes, mantel displays, and on the front porch. A simple, yet creative display of pumpkins can make a statement in the front of a home, whether it’s on a porch, steps, or simply situated next to the entryway. Gourds, bales of hay, and cornstalks are other harvest features that can be used for decorating.
Colorful Leaves
Nature’s main feature for fall is the changing colors of the leaves. You don’t have to be outdoors to enjoy the colors. Use real or fake leaves in deep reds, oranges, yellows, and browns to create simple accents throughout the home. You can also make a wreath with leaves, acorns, and pine cones to display the natural beauty of the fall season right on your front door.
Keep It Cozy
Fall is a great time to bring out your warm flannel throw blankets and add them to the sofa and chairs in the living area. Consider changing out accent pillow covers for more seasonal styles that have warm tones, rich colors, or plaid designs. Aim to create a cozy, warm, and inviting atmosphere in every room of your home. The right fall decor pieces will be able to transition seamlessly into your design throughout November.
Designing a bathroom not only involves choosing colors, styles, major fixtures and cabinets, it also involves decorating and the appropriate use of accessories. Fortunately, there are easy ways for you to give your bathroom’s decor a boost without having to complete major projects.
Decorating With Brass and Marble
Currently trending bathrooms have seen a return of metal accessories in hues of gold and brass. Marble cladding for walls has also made its way back into the spotlight in 2017. Brass has recently become as popular for bathrooms as it was in the 70s, and when combined with marble, it gives the room an irresistible appearance.
Make a Statement With a Mirror
Among some of the hottest decor trends for bathrooms is the move away from traditional mirrors to more modern and interesting options. One of the most popular bathroom mirrors is referred to by designers as the “hanging circle.” As its name implies, this style mirror has a suspended look that truly lifts the room, easily becoming its centerpiece.
Motion-Activated Commode Lights
You may have noticed that trends in bathroom decor now include motion activated lights that fit on toilet bowls, in virtually any color you desire. Such lights can be acquired to replace your conventional nightlight with a luminous glow that adds charm and style to this much-used room.
Small Furniture Pieces
2017 accessory trends include small household furniture items making their way to the bathroom. For example, pendant lights, rug style bath mats, poufs, armchairs, stools, and standalone bathrobe racks are all great choices for essentially any bathroom.
Greenery
Green, living plants are also highly popular accessories. Live plants not only brighten up any area in which they are placed, they also clean the air, filter out pollutants and boost oxygen levels in the bathroom.
Regardless of your personal taste, modernizing bathroom accessories and updating the room’s decor is guaranteed to add beauty and value to your home.
Contact Columbus Bath Design today to start designing your dream bathroom. We look forward to exceeding your expectations.
