How to Remodel Your Bathroom in 2024

Looking to add some value to your home or restore an old bath space? Remodeling is a great way to breathe new life into your home as well as increase it’s initial value.

But before you try to remodel your entire house, let’s start with a smaller project, such as remodeling your bathroom. 

What to Consider Before Remodeling Your Bathroom

Remodeling your bathroom is a time consuming and expensive undertaking. Before you decide to do so, there are a few things you should consider:

1. Why are you considering remodeling your bathroom? 

The first question to answer would be “why are you remodeling your bathroom?” Depending on your answer, this will largely determine your budget and subsequent spending on remodeling your bathroom.

Reasons for remodeling your bathroom may include property value updates, increased family demands or aesthetic updates.

Increased family demands can mean adding in additions to assist with an aging family member or child-friendly handles for young children. It can also mean adding his and her sinks to allow for couples to have their own space in the bathroom.

Keep in mind that these additions will inadvertently increase your property value.

2. What is your remodel budget? 

A common mistake for first time remodeling would be poor budget management. Remember that all additions to your bathroom can grow exponentially in cost, so it is important to be realistic. Understand what is important to you and what you can trim to avoid any issues with your ideal setup.

Lastly, remember to budget for the unexpected as some installations may be more costly than others, so it is important to plan accordingly to avoid any budget issues. 

3. What is your ideal bathroom layout?

In addition to sticking to your budget, you should map out your ideal bathroom.

• Will you be adding to an additional space or starting a new space?
• How much square footage is this space?

Outside of space, ventilation should be your next priority.

• How many fans will you be adding? How many windows?
• Will you be installing new fixtures such as a tub, toilet or sink?
• What will the color scheme or design style of your bathroom be like?

Mapping out your ideal setup will help determine what you want or don’t want for your bathroom. 

What are your design choices?

When remodeling your bathroom, you want to consider the following carefully. These topics will help you narrow down your overall design and give you a better idea of what you are aiming for:

• Color scheme: Your bathroom’s color scheme will ultimately influence its the overall feel and look. Do you want a rustic feel with dark browns and wood fixtures, or do you want something more contemporary with sleek shapes and mono colors? Drawing inspiration from multiple sources, social media, and the internet are great resources to help give you a better idea of what colors fit your vision.
• New fixtures: Decide on your fixtures ahead of time. What do you need to replace? Determine what could use updating in your bathroom and consider its the effect on the look and feel of your space.
• Storage spaces: Always consider storage. Where will the toiletries go? What about towels and other bathroom items? Whenever you remodel, always plan for additional storage whether it’s in the form of shelving or cabinets.
• Location of utilities: Determine your utilities so that you can better plan out the space. Locate your electrical wiring and plumbing before planning any remodeling. Mark these areas on a map to avoid costly repairs.

How To Start Remodeling Your Bathroom 

Remodeling your bathroom can be a daunting task to start, but remember that the easiest way to start is one project at a time. Identify what you want to work on-either fixtures, tile, wall and start there. 

1. Identify which area of your bathroom you want to remodel and the type of project:

The most important step in remodeling your bathroom is to select the type of project you want and it’s outcome. Depending on what type of project you aim for, your budget and time investment will differ greatly, so plan accordingly.

The most common projects will upgrade the aesthetic of your home, increase the value of your home or both. Both are some common remodeling projects:

Examples of Common Remodeling Projects:

• Painting Walls
• Adding new fixtures (faucet, vanity, cabinets)
• Adding new tile and grout
• Adding a new sink and faucet 
• Reglazing a bathtub 
• Updating the color of your bathtub
• Adding a new shower or bathtub
• Adding a new bathroom (full or half) 

2. Hiring a Professional vs DIY

A common question when it comes to remodeling your bathroom is whether you should hire a professional or do-it-yourself. The answer to this will largely depend on your knowledge of home repair and skills but generally, less complex projects can be handled by yourself whereas more difficult tasks will require a professional.

Professionals should handle tasks that will be potentially dangerous such as electrical wiring, plumbing and harmful elements such as paint fumes. Here are some of the pros and cons of DIY and professionals to provide a better understanding of which is right for your project.

• Timing of the project-Hiring a professional requires that you work with their schedule, which means that your project will take a decent amount of time to complete. If you handle a project yourself, you can ensure that you complete a project on your own time which will usually be quicker than hiring a professional.
• Electricity, Plumbing and extensive Tile work-Electricity, plumbing and tile work will require extensive knowledge and many hours of manual labor to complete. While it may be tempting to tackle these projects on your own, these jobs are better handled by professionals to ensure that there is limited danger to you and your household. For complex projects, it is best to consult a professional. 

• How complex the remodel is-If a remodel requires extensive steps or additions that you are unfamiliar with, it is best to consult a professional. For example, if you are looking to add fixtures such as a new bathtub, a new sink, install new windows and possibly add a walk-in shower, it is best to hire a professional. Professionals can handle complex projects more easily and the amount of money you save attempting to finish the project yourself is not worth any hassles that may occur if you install something incorrectly. 

3. Be realistic with the timeline

Bathroom renovations take a fair bit of time to complete. Remember to budget your time accordingly and have realistic expectations for completion. For a small renovation, you are looking at anywhere between 2-4 weeks depending on delays.

For a large bathroom, the renovation can take anywhere from 6-8 weeks on the low end. Small projects include adding fixtures and small additions such as vanities or cabinets. Large projects will include full remodels.

Delays are bound to occur on any project, so it is best that you plan around them and leave enough time for your project to be completed. 

4. Try not to stress and enjoy 

Remodeling can be a complicated, stressful, and expensive mess. The remodel will result in the lack of a bathroom in your home, but it is best to keep a level head and remember that it will all end well. Even with delays, eventually your bathroom will be complete and you can reap the benefits of your project. 

Remodeling can breath new life into your home, bringing needed vibrancy and a change of environment. It can also provide a great education on ways you can constantly improve your home to suit your wants and needs. Just remember to evaluate your project, consider a professional and enjoy the benefits to your home. 

Tips for a successful bathroom remodel 

Here are a few helpful tips to ensure a successful remodel:

Always plan ahead

Before you begin your remodel, plan out every aspect. Gather materials, measure and map out your existing space. Keep accurate measurements and track where your plumbing and electrical systems are located. Planning will drastically save you from dealing with any unfortunate incidents in the future.

Stick to your budget 

Your budget is there to provide strict limitations on your remodel. This is a good thing as it allows you to be realistic with your material choices and make you more decisive. Map out your budget before you begin and leave space in your budget for any unforeseen expenses during the remodel. 

Hiring the right contractors 

When choosing contractors be sure to apply proper research and check their credentials. An inexperienced or poor contractor can easily ruin your remodel before it gets started. So take the proper time and choose someone you can trust. 

Choose quality materials

At a glance, quality materials can be incredibly expensive. However, in the long run, quality materials will save you money on continual repairs, so it effectively balances out. When it comes to bathroom materials, you get what you pay for, so it’s best to choose high-quality materials up front.  

Hire a professional plumber and electrician

Hire a plumber and electrician upfront before you get started. Plumbing and electrical connections can be dangerous to inexperienced individuals, so leave it to the professionals. Professionals can also provide helpful advice on how best to proceed with your remodel. 

Eric Jensen

Eric is the founder and president of Badeloft USA. He has been the president of Badeloft’s US division for over ten years and oversees all marketing and branding aspects of Badeloftusa.com.
His expertise lies in small business development, sales, and home and bathroom industry trends and information.

Contact us with any business related inquiries.