Are you hoping to update your bathroom to a newer look? Or you are aging in place and want a safer alternative to a traditional tub? Either way, your options may only be limited by your budget and imagination.
The best place to start is with a plan. If you’ve been thinking about a change, you’ve probably searched the internet, found the 10 bathroom trends for this year or watched a home renovation show. Your head could be swimming with ideas for new materials, plumbing fixtures and lighting.
Let’s assume you’ve chosen the tub-to-walk-in shower conversion.
#1. Plan for Adequate Space
Will your ideas fit into your current bathroom? That may sound tongue in cheek, but ensuring that you will have enough square footage for all your changes is the first crucial step. You want your shower area to be large enough for ample accessibility and comfort. Larger showers add to the feeling of luxury, however, the absolute minimum of 36” by 36” will do.
#2 Consider Durable, High-Quality Materials
While acrylic and fiberglass are nonporous and easy to clean, they are not always high on the list for elegance, though the Onyx Collection and Koehler are offering designer choices. If you have young children, they may be a great choice. If your budget and space allow, you can consider a wide variety of stone or ceramic tiles. Frameless glass panels are a stylish finishing touch.
#3 Upgrading Shower Fixtures
If you haven’t shopped for bathroom fixtures in a while, you may be surprised by the variety and technological water-saving advances made in the last few years. You can find showerheads that feel like rain, or one where you can adjust the flow.
#4 Lighting Makes a Difference
Are you into soft ambient lighting for a relaxing shower experience? Or do you like a bright, vibrant start to your morning? Maybe you’d like both, depending on your mood? Choices abound. LED strips, recessed lighting or pendant lights can enhance the overall aesthetic and provide functionality.
# 5 Storage Considerations
Storage is important in any bathroom and the type of storage can enhance or detract from the mood you want to create. Recessed niches or stylish shelving for storing your toiletries can keep the space uncluttered and elegant.
Here is an added perk.
If you live in Marin County and are considering an update for a bathroom, you’re in luck. According to the North Bay Business Journal the County of Marin recently streamlined the process with an online application. Of course, the devil is in the details, as the Journal reveals, “To qualify for the click-to-issue permits, the kitchen and bathroom project must be of 400 square feet or smaller, the county said. And all of a home’s remodeling projects within a 36-month span must be 40% or less of the total floor area of the dwelling. The system helps applicants calculate those figures.”
If you are interested in exploring a tub-to-walk-In shower conversion along with a general bathroom upgrade, we’d love to discuss your options.