When planning a new bathroom or updating an old one, you will have a plethora of options to explore. From hardware choices to tile, and even fixture styles, the process (and budget) is most wisely managed if you can focus on the key actions that help create a room that is both functional and attractive.
Photo courtesy of lumens.com
Photo courtesy of wayfair.com
1. Invest in Quality Elements
First and foremost, once it has been designed, a bathroom is harder and more expensive to re-design, so think for the long-term when you’re looking at those major features such as your vanity, commode, your shower and/or tub, and any additional cabinetry you may require. Consult with a design expert to ensure that the room and its elements suit the needs of those who will be using it and makes the best use of the space that you have.
Smaller elements such as fixtures for your sink and shower, and hardware, should also be given consideration for how they will be used. That decorative hardware you chose might look amazing, but if it a frustrating exercise to open your drawer with a slippery hand, you may feel compelled to replace it sooner than you would like.
You should feel comfortable living with the results of your choices for a minimum of 10 years. Also, if this is not a “forever” home, resale value should always be given proper consideration.
2. Soften a Bathroom’s Hard Surfaces
In keeping with the thought that your primary bathroom should be a sanctuary for you, you will want to offset the inherent nature of its sleeker materials like tile and marble with subtle touches that lend the sense of comfort and care that this room is intended to provide.
This can be done in several ways:
Exposed shelving for soft goods: Towels, soaps, and bath salts are a great way to lend texture and comforting visual interest to a bathroom. It’s also always nice to have some of those extra towels nearby instead of having them in a less accessible linen closet. Including a few baskets or burlap bins for everyday items, such as swabs and cotton balls, will also help offset the colder look of hard surfaces.
Adding elements of nature:
From placing plants on shelving to having them take center stage as part of an accent wall, infusing the bathroom with nods to the natural world became popular prior to the pandemic and will remain a trend for the foreseeable future, as homeowners recognize the role that nature plays in our wellbeing.
Choose the proper level of non-task or mood-setting lighting: While we wouldn’t trade the utility of our lighted magnifying mirrors for anything, making sure your bathroom has ample options to turn down standard task lighting is essential for setting a soothing mood. Whether you go all-in with the latest in creative LED display, play with recessed lighting and dimmer switches, or simply add an array of candles of differing heights and widths, you should have a way to create a mood that says, “I’m not getting ready for work right now,” and “I have nowhere else I need to be for a while.”
Photo courtesy of kohler.com
3. Treasure the Tub
There’s no denying it—the shower has certainly gained the lion’s share of the limelight when it comes to bathroom bells and whistles. From rain showerheads to multi-nozzle showers for two, and jetted massage options, it’s tempting to think you may wish to forego a tub which undoubtedly is used less often, but this is an area where resale value also plays a role. While you may find a tub to be a space-consuming luxury, a future homeowner may find its absence a deal-breaker, so it is wise to at least provide flexible space for one in your bathroom’s floorplan. Plus, we all require the comfort and downtime that a good soak provides; so, there’s value in including one in any full bath design.
Photo courtesy of Home Depot
4. Keep a Tranquil Palette
Bold, rich colors are on-trend now in everything from cabinetry to paint to appliances. Classic baths however, keep tones either neutral or muted so that many personal styles can be accommodated in one room. Pops of color and personality that can be employed through the thoughtful choice of tile, an accent wall treatment, or accessories, can bridge the divide between trend and tradition. Paint color is your easiest option to change, so try your “must-have” hue on one wall instead of an entire floor treatment, for instance. This will make for a much quicker and less expensive update should you tire of the trend. Focusing on elements and surfaces that keep you safe and are practical and durable, with an eye for classic beauty and design, will have you enjoying that bath for years to come.
5. Think of Your Feet
“Boy, I really regret spending that extra money on in-floor heating,” said no one—ever. Well, maybe if you’re living in the jungles of Costa Rica, radiant floor heating isn’t something you’d want to spring for, but here in the mid-Atlantic there are mornings that still can bring a chill to the bone. Your day-start gets a little easier when you have a bathroom that welcomes you warmly, not austerely.
TIP: Go the extra mile and get an extra smile when you add the comfort of a towel-warming rack to your bathroom. This appliance has been used abroad for hundreds of years in one form or another, and is finally becoming more of a standard in American homes over the last two decades.
