Choosing the Right Fixtures and Materials for Your Bathroom Remodel

Remodeling a bathroom can be a cathartic experience, it can also be confusing for someone who has never done it before. A bathroom should be a haven, a place for you to detox and relax. But there are so many decisions to make, budgets, and new fixtures and materials to choose from, that things can go downhill fast. Here are a few suggestions on how to choose the right items to help make your remodel a little easier. 

Decide on Your Budget and Aesthetic

What do you want to feel when you enter the bathroom? Do you want it to feel like a spa? Bright and open, with great lighting? Decide before you get started and things will move much faster, and cut down a lot of the decision-making. It’s also very important to make sure you have the time to devote to the project. You don’t want to rush the process, because that’s when things can start to go wrong. Having a time frame in mind is good, but there should also be a bit of a time cushion, just in case. Budgeting is also important; there are a lot of things you can do on a small budget if that is what you have to work with, but keep it in mind when you are making the initial decision.

Select Your Materials

There are things in this project that you won’t want to skimp on. Small budgets are fine, but make sure you spend in the right areas. If the bathroom is not waterproofed correctly, chances are you’ll be doing another remodel sooner than you’d like. Make sure your HVAC system is running well, to prevent mold, for example. (This is also a great time to have it serviced and repaired if needed.) Tile for flooring is one of the best options because it easily keeps water where you want it instead of sinking down into the cracks. But there are also great non-ceramic options as well. There are some nice laminates out there, and, laid correctly, they can be a good budget option. Take the time to do the research before making a hard choice on materials, and you won’t be sorry. 

Replace Your Toilet

Image Via Flickr by Prayitno / Thank you for (12 million +) view

A new toilet is almost inevitable for a new bathroom. Imagine replacing or refinishing everything else, and not the old, discolored toilet? But, it has to be done the right way. Make sure you have several towels on hand before you start. Shut off the water first, then flush the toilet to clear the lines and get rid of the water in the bowl and tank. The removal process is pretty self-explanatory, but if the process makes you at all uncomfortable, it may be time to call in an installation professional. 

A bathroom remodel may seem like a big job, but it doesn’t have to be! With the correct materials and installation, it can go (and soon, so can you) relatively smoothly.  

Samantha

Samantha hails from Virginia and is a proud wife to a retired Deputy Sheriff and mother to two amazing little boys named Jack & William. A veteran product reviewer; Samantha has been reviewing products for 8 years and offers high quality product reviews with original photography.