Bathroom Tips
10 Key Points to Remember When Remodeling Your Bathroom
When about to embark upon remodeling the second most complicated and expensive room in your home – your bathroom – it is important to be aware of the decisions you’ll have to make, how they will impact your completed project, and how to avoid succumbing to some of the more common bathroom-remodel pitfalls, and successfully achieve your desired outcome.
At Hunt Design Centre we are happy to help guide you through making the right product selections to best suit your project requirements. A few key items to consider as you begin to research your bathroom remodel:
- How much does your bathroom remodel cost?
Bathroom remodels are an expensive undertaking, and one should research the associated costs with a bathroom renovation and determine if now is the time to remodel. Also consider that your bathroom renovation should cost no more than 5 – 10% of your home’s value. - Make sure to do your research when deciding on your contractor.
The right contractor can be the difference between a successful project and a disaster. Getting multiple quotes and requesting references from each proponent are both acceptable and advised. - Flattering lighting requires planning.
Bathrooms of all rooms might be the most difficult room in your home to properly light. Often, a single overhead light, and a pair of wall sconces on either side of your mirror at eye level can suffice. However, in large bathrooms, perhaps you’re wanting to install recessed lights in the ceiling – just make sure to avoid placing them directly over light coloured countertops, but avoid placement which will cause shadows when looking in the mirror. - Carefully consider storage requirements and placement.
A high functioning bathroom is highly dependent on proper storage. This is the time to consider perhaps a recess in your shower, or recessed cabinets above the vanity or on another appropriate wall. Things are being remodeled, so this is the time to do it! - Don’t overlook ventilation.
Due to the amount of dampness and humidity in a washroom, it is very important to install an efficient fan for ventilation. This will help deter the growth of mold over time, which can lead to major problems if allowed to grow and spread. An externally vented exhaust fan on a timer is a preferred solution, and your contractor can advise where the best location for the most effective airflow. - Is their power where you need it?
Since your trades will already be on site, be sure to have electrical outlets installed in convenient locations throughout your bathroom. It will be much less expensive at this time to add and/or move receptacles, than it will be once the renovation is complete. - Plan for the future.
It would be wise at this time to consider planning for accessibility issues that could occur in the future. Now this does not necessarily mean installing grab bars this instant, but have your contractor add blocking behind the dry wall in locations where grab bars could possibly be required in the future. A walk-in, curb-less shower is also a great accessible option, that can also be a focal point to and great bathroom remodel. - Consider adding a little luxury.
Since your bathroom is stripped back, consider taking this opportunity to add heated floors. Not only will they have a positive impact on your enjoyment of your new space, but they are also an economical solution to heating your bathroom. Wall-mounted features – such as a vanity, or a toilet contribute to a more modern aesthetic, that will feel more open, and give the illusion of more square footage. - Determine how many pieces you would want in your new bathroom – a tub-shower combo, a separate tub and custom shower, or no tub at all. Once you’ve determined this you can begin to develop your new bathroom layout.
- Consider including more mirrors that just those above you vanity.
Adding mirrors as a design element that will help expand the room visually, and add light to the room.
An experienced and knowledgeable designer, David Leland strives to design unique interiors to help improve the quality of life for his clients and their households. A former interior design graduate from the International Academy of Design and Technology with over 10 years of experience designing for a diverse client base in and around the Greater Toronto Area, David brings a vast wealth of knowledge, and a strong comprehension of industry trends to the Hunt Design Centre team. With an eye for quality, a keen sense of style, and a client-centred approach, David has proven himself an innovative designer offering his clients a balance of creativity, collaboration, and forward thinking.
David believes that gaining a comprehensive understanding of his clients’ needs, their style, and their expectations lays the foundation to successfully navigate through each phase of the design process. Unafraid to challenge his clients, when necessary, David relies on his past experiences and industry insights to help guide his clients towards making the decisions that will most positively impact their project, culminating in the creation of beautiful, functional spaces.
Throughout his career, David has been part of many great teams that have seen him leading major projects, being responsible for managing trades and vendors, developing key design elements for commercial builds, and being responsible for selecting finishes, fixtures and furnishings for corporate projects. David has also worked alongside many residential clients, planning countless showpiece kitchens and bathrooms for luxury homes and cottages. He believes in influencing his clients to make educated decisions by providing them with insight and understanding – an acute awareness of what works best, finding creative ways to get a project within budget without sacrificing the elements that are most important to you, and cultivating an enthusiastic, professional working relationship are some of the key advantages to partnering with David and the Hunt Design Centre team for you home renovation projects.
With a variety of projects published in magazines such as ‘Canadian Living” and ‘Style at Home’, David has collaborated with, and has learned from some of the more influential people in Canada’s design community. His past experiences, his professional demeanor, and his knowledge of industry trends are all factors that will contribute to facilitating positive, productive and enjoyable client consultations. These will ultimately result in the completion of your successful home renovation project and positively affect the way you live in your home for years to come.
