Essential Guide: 9 Insider Secrets for a Successful Bathroom Remodel

Remodeling a bathroom in your home can be a great investment.

If you plan to stay in your home, you'll get a space that better suits your family's needs and your personal style. If you don't plan to stay, you'll get a great return on your investment. For a mid-range bathroom remodel, Americans can see an ROI of over 70 percent.

A bathroom remodel is a big project to take on. Keep reading to learn 9 tips and tricks to make the planning process go a little more smoothly.

1. Think About Your Current Layout

When you're embarking on a home bathroom remodel, it's a chance to get exactly what you want in your bath.

That doesn't just mean new fixtures or a pretty tiled floor. It also means the opportunity to make sure that your bathroom is exactly how you'd like it. Right down to the layout of your space.

If you'll already be bringing in professional help for your bathroom remodel, it's an excellent opportunity to move things around if you need to. For instance, if it's been driving you crazy that your sink is too close to your toilet or your shower is way too small, you have a chance to fix it.

Even if it seems like you don't have room to change your layout, there may be other changes you can make. A smaller sink or better shower might maximize your space and solve your problem.

Before you start considering what else in your bathroom you'd like to remodel, decide for sure whether you are happy with your current layout.

2. Consider Your Time Frame

Maybe you're planning to host family for Christmas next month. Or you're just weeks away from a housewarming party. Either way, if you have an event coming up, it's important to be very clear about your deadline.

Whether you plan to take on some of the remodel on your own or leave it all to the professionals, a timeline is important. 

Be clear about that timeline when you talk with a contractor about your remodel. The last thing you want to do is stress at the last minute about having to board up your bathroom during your big event.

3. Start Early

If you do have a time frame in mind, start your remodel early.

Bringing in a professional will help you avoid dragging out your remodel for months while you find time to DIY it. But that doesn't mean that you won't hit some snags.

Maybe you find mold in your walls when your old shower tile comes down. Or your subfloor needs to be redone once you pull up that old linoleum. That clawfoot tub you're dreaming of could go on backorder and take weeks or even longer to come in.

Leaving yourself plenty of time to get your project done will help accommodate for complications and eliminate that last-minute stress.

4. Make a List of What You Want to Have Done

Just because you aren't doing your remodel on your own doesn't mean that you don't need a bathroom remodel checklist. 

This checklist should contain anything and everything you're hoping to get done. Having a list will help you look at the overall picture of your remodel. It'll help your contractor understand your vision and order parts early if needed.

Make sure to list every little detail, from the types of light fixtures you want to the size of the tiles for your shower or floor.

5. Set a Budget Early

Going into any remodeling project without a budget in mind is a big mistake. Costs add up much faster than you'd expect.

A detailed budget will give you a better idea of how much you can spend on each area of your remodel without emptying your bank account and ending up with a half-finished room.

The average cost of a full bathroom remodel is over $19,000.

While you don't necessarily need a sky-high budget, keep in mind that if you don't have that amount set aside, you'll need to plan to do a partial remodel instead. That might mean keeping your current shower and sprucing up the space with new paint and flooring instead.

6. Research What You Like

This is perhaps the most fun part of planning a bathroom remodel.

Head to the web and start researching the bathroom styles you like. Be sure to save photos to show your contractor when you start planning with them.

7. Pay Attention to the Details

It's easy to get caught up in the big picture of your remodel. But you need more than just that stunning tub or perfect wall color to finish your space.

The small details, like drawer pulls for your vanity, a mirror, or your shower curtain can have just as big of an impact on your space as your tile or paint choice. Take the time to find the right accents to compliment your space.

8. Consider Some Upgrades

Just as a total bathroom remodel is a great chance to mix up the layout of your space, it's also a good time to add some cool upgrades.

From heated floors to high-powered fans, you can make your space more functional and enjoyable to use.

Talk with your contractor about upgrades that are available. You might just be surprised at the variety of options that are out there.

9. Make the Most of Your Space

Bathrooms are usually not the largest rooms in our homes. This means that making the most of the space is a must.

When you're planning a remodel, think about your storage options and whether you can give yourself more breathing room. The last thing you want to do is complete your beautiful bathroom only to find that you have nowhere to store your towels or shampoos.

Planning Your Bathroom Remodel

A bathroom remodel is a great chance to upgrade your space and boost the value of your home. Whether you're taking on a remodel in hopes of fetching top dollar when your house sells or to make your space more functional, leaving the work to the professionals is always a good choice.

If you're ready to start planning your bathroom remodel, check out some of our previous projects and get your free estimate today!