Few would argue if you told them the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the home.
For modern homeowners, the bathroom isn’t just a place to freshen up. They want their bathrooms to be havens where they can unwind after long days. They want them to be peaceful and inviting.
At Holland’s Custom Cabinets, we understand that contemporary bathrooms need to look great and provide functionality. Whether you’re moving into a new home or want to breathe life into your current one, remodeling your bathroom is a great place to start.
Like any construction or remodeling projects, there are certain mistakes that can derail the best-laid plans. You need to be prepared to avoid the following common bathroom remodeling mistakes at all costs.
1. Going Over-Budget
The primary purpose of creating a budget is to avoid overspending. So, make sure you’re realistic about what you can afford and stick to your plan. Get itemized quotes from multiple vendors. Make sure the quotes are detailed and include labor as well as material costs to avoid unpleasant surprises along the way.
Don’t make the mistake of assuming you’ll always be able to find low-cost resources. Be prepared for unexpected contingencies by adding an extra 15% to 20% to any quotes you receive, and then make your decision. This approach can also help in case you want to spend more on a premium accessory or a fancy paint color or any other last-minute addition. By planning for contingencies, you won’t find yourself stuck in the middle of the project with no money to complete it.
2. Missing the Theme
You’ll want to base your bathroom theme on a central element that creates ambiance for the space. This can be a color, a material, a plant, a piece of art – anything that your bathroom will be defined by.
It’s important for all aspects of your bathroom to be in harmony and to complement the architecture and style of your house. You don’t want the theme to overwhelm your senses, but you don’t want it to be lackluster either.
Work with your remodeler to design the bathroom in keeping with your chosen theme. Create a mood board if necessary. Add your choice of wall colors, tiles, lighting, fixtures, finishes, textiles, and so on to it. This curated approach can provide clarity, helping you nail the theme you choose.
3. Ignoring Functionality
A bathroom that looks great, but doesn’t do its job is a failed project. Your bathroom must make an impression and meet all of your needs. To do so, requires a balance of beauty and functionality.
Fortunately, we live in times where aesthetics and functionality go hand in hand. For instance, modern showerheads look great and feel like a must-have feature in the bathroom, but if the flow of water is less-than-adequate, that fancy showerhead is going to be wasted.
4. Forgetting about Ventilation
By their very nature, bathrooms are humid and often wet. They need sufficient ventilation or you will run into mold and mildew issues over time.
Mold and mildew are not only unattractive, they can also affect your family’s health. If ignored, they can even lead to structural damage.
Having windows and an exhaust fan can certainly make life easier. When choosing a fan, be careful about its size. It should be small enough to comfortably fit into the bathroom, but big enough to help get rid of humidity. Also, pick a fan that can move a lot of air without being noisy.
5. Neglecting Storage Space
There’s more to bathrooms than toilets, bathtubs, mirrors, and valves. Storage space is an often-neglected consideration for bathroom remodels. Bathrooms that lack storage space fail the functionality test, plus they can look cluttered and messy.
Adequate storage means you have space for daily use items, such as toothbrushes, razors, scissors, shampoo bottles, towels, and other toiletries. Typical storage solutions usually include drawers, cabinets, cupboards, closets, shelves, hangers, and racks. To take your storage solutions to the next level, consider custom cabinetry to make the most of every inch of your bathroom space.
6. Selecting Poor-Quality Fittings
The quality of fittings and finishes used in a bathroom ultimately affect the way the bathroom functions and how long it lasts.
Low-quality fittings can result in leaking faucets, damaged hardware, broken tiles, and porous surfaces. This will necessitate frequent repairs and/or replacement, which often costs more in the long term. Frequent, unplanned repairs and changes can also hurt the cohesiveness of the bathroom design.
When possible, it’s better to go for quality fittings and finishes that are invulnerable to moisture and won’t rot or discolor over the years. They’ll add considerable value to your home too.
7. Too Much or Too Little Lighting
While you want your bathroom to be a relaxing space, too much or too little lighting can make it far from soothing. Also, activities such as shaving, applying makeup, and skincare need proper illumination. General ambient light just doesn’t cut it.
It’s better to go for a layered design that allows you to install multiple lighting fixtures, so your space looks neither super-bright nor too dull. Think concealed LED strips, dimmer lamps, or even accent lighting that can be switched on independently to illuminate your space while matching your mood.
8. Fittings in the Wrong Location
Not aligning water fixtures, such as the bathtub or the shower, correctly with the water inlets or drainage can be expensive mistakes.
Similarly, improper positioning or fastening of wall fixtures, such as towel bars, might result in them being pulled out of the wall at the first tug. Fitting your mirrors too high or too low isn’t very helpful either.
During the design process, think about where you want your fittings. Then, have them installed in the places that work best for you and your bathroom – and with the right fasteners.
Let Holland’s Custom Cabinets Help You Build Your Dream Bathroom
Bathroom remodeling can be extremely challenging, but when done right, the results can be splendid. Step one is to make sure you have an experienced designer and remodeler in your corner who can ensure a job well done, providing lasting results and timely completion.
At Holland’s, we create precision-engineered bathroom cabinets that are both aesthetically pleasing and flawless in function. We invite you to make the most of our innovative cabinet designs and must-have bathroom accessories. Call us at 619.443.6081 or fill our online form to schedule an in-home design consultation and start planning the bathroom of your dreams.
