home for life
27
Aug

Design Tips to Know Before Remodeling Your Bathroom

There’s so much that goes into a bathroom remodeling project that unless you’re a professional who does it every day — or a homeowner who’s been through the process numerous times — then all the nitty-gritty details, processes, options and decisions are going to sound like they’re in a foreign language. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare for the test.

At Glickman| Design Remodel Build we encourage you to have a working knowledge of what to expect and what to consider when remodeling or adding a new bathroom to your home. This knowledge can make the difference between a months-long waking nightmare ending in a bathroom that you settle for or a pleasant experience resulting in the room of your dreams. Consider the following collection of tips and images from Glickman projects your cheat sheet for finals week. You’ll be happy you prepared.

Don’t Make the Toilet the First Thing You See When You Open the Door
Ask a Glickman designer what his or her best tried and true tip is, and this is what you’re likely to hear. The reasoning is simple. Oftentimes bathroom doors get left open, meaning that you or any guest in your home walking by will see the toilet — which, come on, isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing thing to look at. If you’re hoping for a spa-like vibe, putting the john front and center in the design can sort of kill the mood as you’re transitioning into the room. So, what should you make the focal point? Anything but the toilet.

Plan a Lighting Scheme
The best approach to a well-lit space is to incorporate layers of task, accent, ambient and decorative lighting. Consult with your bathroom designer or lighting specialist about getting your lighting right.

Plan the Right Height for Your Sink
Typical countertops are 32 to 34 inches off the floor. But you may need new fixtures that allow you to age in place. If you have an above-counter vessel sink, for example, you’ll want to make your counter height lower so you can wash your hands or brush your teeth comfortably.

Pick the Right Vanity
Vanities aren’t just for looks. Get one too big and you could mess up your bathroom’s traffic routes. Too small and you’ll be scrambling for more countertop space and storage. Pick the wrong material and you could have maintenance issues on your hands.

Splurge on a Few High-End Materials
A little designer secret is that because bathrooms are usually smaller spaces, splurging on a few higher-end materials and finishes can be a good investment that can make your space seem incredibly luxurious. So before you issue a mandate that your bathroom will feature only the most basic, affordable materials, look at materials for wall and floor coverings, countertops and more on the higher end of the spectrum. You might find that adding one or more of these materials to a small portion of your bathroom is within your budget.

remodeling your bathroom

Double Check Your Tile Size
Surprisingly, that 12-inch by 24-inch tile you bought might not be exactly what it claims to be. That’s because most tile is sold in European sizes (millimeters), and the quoted size might also factor in a grout joint, putting your fancy new tile at 11?, which can affect your tile layout, niches and plumbing.

remodeling your bathroom

Think About Converting Your Tub to a Shower
If you don’t take baths but have a bathtub, that’s basically a 5-foot by 2½-foot area that’s going to waste. Converting it to a shower would be cost effective, because it would make use of the space that’s already there and you wouldn’t have to reroute the plumbing.

remodeling your bathroom

How to get started? 
We encourage you to research, ask your friends and family and noodle a bit over how you would enhance your home to truly make it “Your Home For Life”. Then call Glickman |Design Remodel Build. We’ve been helping homeowners just like yourself in the DMV for over 40 years with creative design and premium quality construction.

Please contact us or call us at the numbers below.

Maryland: (301) 444-4663
Virginia: (703) 832-8159
Washington, DC: (202) 792-7320