Back in the day, your bathroom wasn’t much more than an afterthought when you were designing your home. If your bathroom contained a basic bathtub, sink, commode and medicine cabinet with a little tile thrown in, it was considered well-furnished.

Well, times have changed, and today’s luxurious bathrooms often function as retreats from the pressures of life. With their heated floors and towel bars, saunas, art-glass showers, whirlpool baths, Bluetooth speaker systems and windows overlooking scenes from nature, many act more as spas than the “necessary rooms” of old. That change in thinking helps explain why bathrooms recently overtook kitchens as the most popular remodeling project in the U.S.

Thinking about remodeling your bathroom into the spa setting of your dreams? You may wish to consider the following tips.

  • Allot expenditures. When budgeting, you may wish to consider national averages indicating fixtures and plumbing will likely take up 29 percent of your remodeling costs followed by counters and surfaces (21 percent), labor (20 percent) and cabinetry and hardware (16 percent). Consumer Reports suggests the total cost of your bathroom remodel amount to no more than 5 to 10 percent of your home’s value.
  • Customize to your needs. Instead of automatically adopting trends, mull your real-life habits and preferences. For example, clawfoot tubs may look charming but can be uncomfortable to lay down in, difficult to clean and awkward to use as showers. Similarly, partial shower enclosures can leave water on your floors, and elaborate, artsy shower stalls can be a waste if you don’t spend much time there. You should also account for the heights of family members when installing showerheads, stalls, sinks and vanity countertops.
  • Shop around. Sure, choosing neutral-colored elements in your new bath may make it more appealing to future home buyers. But since your bathroom is an enclosed space, it can also be a great place to express your individuality by deviating from staid, traditional choices. Before making aesthetic choices, at least take a look at the huge array of available colors, textures and styles in tiles, grout, flooring and fixtures.
  • Design lighting strategically. Common mistakes include underestimating lighting needs or placing fixtures so light bounces off mirrors and other shiny surfaces. Consider adding heat lamps or vertical fluorescent fixtures that can enable makeup application.
  • Ensure plenty of electrical outlets. Mentally walk through your daily routine to determine logical places and numbers for your outlets, then consider how they might be camouflaged. Consider toothbrushes, razors, hair-related appliances, nightlights, etc.
  • Don’t underestimate storage needs. Plan where you will stow away towels, toiletries, cleaning supplies, appliances, dirty laundry, toilet paper, etc.
  • Plan for the future. You’ll thank yourself years from now if you add accommodations for aging family members to your new bath. In fact, 56 percent of bathroom renovations nationwide take place to accommodate or plan ahead for an aging family member, Houzz reports; targeted features include bath and/or shower upgrades and the addition of seats, low curbs, grab bars and nonslip floors.

Planned strategically, your new bathroom can add a great deal of convenience and comfort to your family’s lifestyle. Take time to think about your long-term needs and wants before getting started.

Titus Contracting can help you complete a decked-out new bathroom that exceeds your expectations. Call us at 952-746-7817 to learn how to set your plans into action.