4 Ideas to Inspire Your Bathroom Remodel

Bathroom remodels have consistently high returns on investment year after year. And bathrooms are some of the busiest rooms in the home. Whether you’re setting your home up for a higher resale value or you simply want to make your mornings brighter, these remodeling ideas are sure to enhance both.

1. Vanities: From Central to Focal

The vanity can be an anchor of your bathroom’s design and feel, because it is often central to both your routine and the physical space. Updating this feature can be as simple as refacing the cabinets and masking the counter with a concrete overlay. And it can be as complex as ripping out the old to install something new.

Floating Vanity – These features are popular vanity upgrades because they add modern flair and create clean lines. What’s more, they can be floated at any preferable height and leave floor space for radiant heating or storage.

“Comfort Height” – If you find yourself stooping and overreaching to use your vanity and sink, it’s no rare inconvenience. A little more than a decade ago, designers realized that the “standard height” vanity at 32 inches wasn’t cutting it. The new, “comfort height” standard is 36 inches.

A Second Sink – Many homeowners have been dreaming of a second sink since their childhood battles in the family bathroom. If you have the opportunity and the space, adapt your vanity or install a new one that will accommodate.

2. Showers and Tubs: From Necessity to Luxury

Standard showers and tubs are built for function rather than inspiration and relaxation. Updating or enhancing these features can transform your bathroom from a basic, functional room into an enjoyable retreat.

Freestanding Tub – These tubs are popular and eye-catching, and they can give your bathroom a quick visual turnaround. In fact, they become a statement in your design rather than a sunken necessity. Plus, they are available in magazine-worthy finishes like wood and copper.

Multiple Showerheads – Additional showerheads aren’t just a luxury option. They add convenience, especially if you’re installing a handheld style to go with a stationary rainfall shower head.

Curbless Walk-in – A curbless walk-in shower will make your bathroom more accessible into the future and more appealing for resale. With each year, accessible features for aging in place move higher up on home buyers’ priority lists. Kicking the curb on your shower makes it safer for older adults and those with disabilities — and even for yourself in case of a clumsy moment.

3. Floors and Walls: From Outdated to Upgraded

If you’re living with ratty old wallpaper and last century’s flooring, you can give yourself a fresh start with new flooring and wall materials. A makeover this drastic will make the space practically unrecognizable.

Tile – There are more options for bathroom tile than ever before. There are now hundreds of tile options that mimic rare and expensive materials at more affordable price points. Wood grain tile, for example, is now extremely popular as a bathroom material. Other options include fashionable matte black tile, unique and interesting shapes like arabesques and octagons, and beautiful patterned tile that you can use as a sink backsplash and art feature.

Paint – A simple way to upgrade your bathroom is to freshen up the paint. Choose colors that promote cleanliness, warmth and positivity, like light blues and greens or creams and blushes.

4. Extras: From Stone Age to New Age

There are other ways that bathrooms can evolve beyond the standard that are nearly invisible to the eye. These include enhancements for efficiency, the incorporation of technology and comfort installations like radiant heat flooring.

Tech – Smart home technology is becoming ever more present in the bathroom. And integrating such technology can make your daily rituals easier and more enjoyable. Consider integrated speakers for your morning podcasts and exciting innovations like voice-activated lighting, smart mirrors and even digital showers for perfect water temperatures.

Efficiency – Did you know that your toilet can save you money? Older standard toilets waste a lot of water unnecessarily, and newer standard models use over 50 percent less. If you’re thinking of upgrading your toilet any time soon, it will pay to look into a low-flow, high-efficiency or even ultra-high efficiency toilet!

Radiant Heat Flooring – These heating systems are useful and efficient in bathroom installations, especially considering that they are compatible with most bathroom flooring materials. It will also work to heat your bathroom on colder days, reducing the strain on your home heating system.