9 Things to Know Before a Master Bathroom Renovation

bathroom remodel

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Renovating your house can be exciting, especially when you’re doing your master bedroom or bathroom.

A master bathroom renovation gives way for a lot of new ideas and upgrades. But it can also get overwhelming if you’re not experienced in the renovation process.

If you’re looking to renovate your master bathroom, here are a few things you should keep in mind before you get started.

1. Your Plan and Budget

When starting a big project like a bathroom renovation, it’s essential to plan your budget before you start. Knowing what you want to do and how much you want to spend will alleviate some tough choices throughout the process.

Create a plan from the very beginning of what you want to do. Are you only doing the sinks or the shower? Are you gutting the whole thing?

Design a plan around your budget and determine how much your budget can allocate to certain elements.

2. DIY or Contractor?

While it can be tempting to DIY a bathroom renovation, you have to assess your skills and come to terms with what you can do and what you’ll have to hire a contractor for. Hours of watching renovations on HGTV don’t qualify you to redo your master bath.

A DIY shower renovation can be challenging because it must be the most waterproof part of the bathroom. Bathroom waterproofing should be reserved for the pros or those who are handy enough to get the job done right. It can be tricky, so if you’re not 100% confident in your bathroom waterproofing abilities, it’s best to hire a pro and eliminate problems down the line.

3. Will You Have Access To Another Bathroom?

One thing people often forget when starting a bathroom renovation is if they have access to another bathroom during the renovation. If you only have another half bath, it won’t do you much good when it comes time to take a shower.

Ensure you’re prepared to use a friend or family member’s shower, stay at a hotel, or have another bathroom in the house with all the necessities.

4. Time-Frame

Another thing to consider is the time frame. How long do you want this project to take? How long will the project realistically take?

Asking yourself these questions can help you determine why and how you’re going to get the bathroom done in a specific amount of time.

If you want the bathroom done by the holidays, make sure you start with plenty of time so that you’re not scrambling in those last few weeks. Give yourself enough leeway for any unexpected problems and repairs.

5. Your Style and Design

Coming up with the new style and design of your new master bathroom can be one of the most exciting parts of the process. You can look at interesting tiles and fun shower design ideas. You can change up the color or layout and make it your own!

The first step is making sure you allow room for your budget in the discussion. While it may be more fun to plan the design with your budget “out of sight out of mind,” it isn’t realistic. You don’t want to fall in love with tiles you have no budget for or a shower door that’s out of your price range.

Start with the base of your bathroom, like flooring and walls. Then you can move on to fixtures and lighting. Along the way, ensure everything is cohesive and will work together, functionally and style-wise.

6. Measurements of Your Bathroom

Before you go looking at tiles or lights, measure out your bathroom space! Make sure you have measurements for the whole bathroom, the shower area, sink area, windows and walls, and everything else.

Keeping measurements on a note in your phone or your wallet will ensure that whenever you go looking for something for the bathroom, you can purchase with certainty that it’s the right size or shape.

It can also help when talking to contractors, so they know how big the project will be and how much work they need to do.

7. Functionality

Even though it can be fun choosing new designs and stylistic options for a bathroom renovation, you want to make sure that everything going in is functional and doesn’t take up unnecessary space.

Every step of the way, make sure you’re checking that things fit correctly, align up the way you want them, and make sense in the rest of the room.

People have often found that putting the toilet too close to the door makes it difficult to access, or their linen closet was too big for the space. Make informed decisions along the way and always consider the repercussions of any significant changes.

8. Ventilation

Your bathroom shower will produce a lot of water and steam, making it the perfect place for mold and mildew to grow. Proper ventilation will ensure that your bathroom remains dry and free of bacteria growth.

Install a fan that can handle your bathroom’s size and the amount of moisture it will produce.

9. Eco-Friendly Fixtures

In 2021 we’re all doing our part to help protect and preserve our planet. What better way than by incorporating environmentally-friendly fixtures!

A master bathroom renovation has a lot of potential for eco-friendly elements, including low-flow toilets, natural lighting, and timed fans. Figure out where you can make some changes that aren’t just good for the planet, but your wallet too!

Starting Your Master Bathroom Renovation

Starting a big project like a master bathroom renovation is a big undertaking. Hopefully, these tips and reminders will help you get started with more confidence and preparation!

If you’re looking to spruce up more than your bathroom and want to work on your bedroom next, check out the rest of our website for more tips!