What You Should Know Before Beginning Your Bathroom Remodel

Even the simplest of bathroom projects requires a serious amount of preparation if it is going to come off stress-free. A little upfront knowledge on the part of the homeowners can go a long way in the entire remodeling process. Communication between you and your contractor plays a vital roll in creating a seamless experience to ensure that you achieve the results you're looking for.

We've put together some important advice that homeowners should know before beginning a bathroom remodel.

1. If your budget is on the smaller side, go big! Sometimes the highest-end elements for your space are just not in the cards due to a more conservative budget. However, this doesn't mean you can't achieve the look you want. Use a "wow" feature to tie the space together and distract from more budget-friendly parts of the space. Along with this, economically savvy design choices do not mean you are sacrificing on your overall vision. Just because something costs less doesn't mean it looks bad.

For example, custom cabinetry or oversized handles can add a touch of drama and interest to a more plain space. If you have a high bathroom ceiling, use a big pendant light to really command the room.

You can also use repetition in your bathroom to distract the eye. Repetition is where you take one design idea and use it several times over in a space. Using round tiles along with a round basin, rounded faucets, and a round mirror gives your space a cohesive feel and the appearance of deliberate design decision.

2. Things take time; this is not a renovation show. Many people are surprised when they hear that a quality bathroom renovation can take about four weeks.
If you don't have a spare bathroom to use while the renovation is going on, plan ahead. Gym's are a great alternative to having a working shower. A month long membership is a convenient option for when a process such as this is going on. Although not an ideal situation, a month of inconvenience will quickly be forgotten when you get to use your gorgeous new space.

3. Clean and sleek lines are not a budget-friendly option. If you are going for minimalism, you need to think single sheets of material, no seams, no handles and no grout lines. Just because the look is simple does not mean it is simple to achieve, or cost friendly. Spaces such as these require great detail, meticulous planning, and time.

4. Don't try to do your own tile. When putting tile in your bathroom, a professional ensures that the placement of cuts and grout lines are perfect. You don't want to ruin your beautiful new space with a bad tiling job. Not only that, a professional will work more quickly--but with more accuracy--ensuring everything is sealed and placed correctly. Your bathroom tiles and grout protect against water damage. Don't take a DIY approach and put your entire bathroom at risk.

Above all, don't be afraid to ask questions during the process. Starting from the initial meeting, communicate your design goals, concerns, and any questions you may have in order to constructively work with your contractor. At Northern Craft, we begin the process by sitting with you--in your home--to understand your design dream. With our 3-D In-Home Design Experience, you'll be able to see exactly what your bathroom will look like when it's done and have the chance to visualize your ideas from the very beginning.