14 Design Tips to Know Before Remodeling Your Bathroom
Learn a few tried and true design tricks to prevent headaches during your next bathroom project
Mitchell Parker
July 22, 2021
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
Pop quiz: What’s the average amount of space required for a toilet? How much does a basic bathroom remodel cost? And how do you pick out the right vanity? If your answers to these questions are some combination of “What?” “Huh?” and “Um … ,” don’t worry. You’re not alone.
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.
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.
If you’re tackling a bathroom remodel project, having a working knowledge of what to expect and what to consider can make the difference between a months-long waking nightmare ending in a bathroom that you settle for or a near-pleasant experience resulting in the room of your dreams. Consider the following collection of tips your cheat sheet for finals week. You’ll be happy you prepared.
1. Know What a Bathroom Remodel Costs
Before you begin any project, it’s important to put your expectations into perspective when it comes to how much money you’re willing to invest. The size of your bathroom, the quality of materials you want to include and whether you’re planning to do some of the labor yourself all can affect the cost of a remodel.
See how much a bathroom renovation might cost you
Before you begin any project, it’s important to put your expectations into perspective when it comes to how much money you’re willing to invest. The size of your bathroom, the quality of materials you want to include and whether you’re planning to do some of the labor yourself all can affect the cost of a remodel.
See how much a bathroom renovation might cost you
2. Don’t Make the Toilet the First Thing You See When You Open the Door
Ask a bathroom 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.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
Ask a bathroom 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.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
3. Consider Leaving Those Vintage Finishes
The point of your bathroom remodel might be a fresh, new look, but some things are easier to replace than others. For example, in older homes, wall tiles may have several coats of concrete and maybe wire lath. The difficulty in removing these can cause labor costs to skyrocket. Instead, you might want to keep the vintage tiles and spend your time and money elsewhere. Besides, vintage finishes such as tile can be a cool feature.
Hire a local bathroom remodeling pro
The point of your bathroom remodel might be a fresh, new look, but some things are easier to replace than others. For example, in older homes, wall tiles may have several coats of concrete and maybe wire lath. The difficulty in removing these can cause labor costs to skyrocket. Instead, you might want to keep the vintage tiles and spend your time and money elsewhere. Besides, vintage finishes such as tile can be a cool feature.
Hire a local bathroom remodeling pro
4. 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.
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.
5. Understand Standard Bathroom Dimension
Knowing a few key measurements, like the size of a typical bathtub and how much space is needed for a toilet, will help you plan your remodel more efficiently.
See more on bathroom measurements
Knowing a few key measurements, like the size of a typical bathtub and how much space is needed for a toilet, will help you plan your remodel more efficiently.
See more on bathroom measurements
6. Plan the Right Height for Your Sink
Typical countertops are 32 to 34 inches off the floor. But you need to consider how your sink will add to or take away from the countertop’s height. 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.
Shop bathroom sinks on Houzz
Typical countertops are 32 to 34 inches off the floor. But you need to consider how your sink will add to or take away from the countertop’s height. 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.
Shop bathroom sinks on Houzz
7. Consider a Corner Sink
If you’ve got a tight space with potential traffic-flow problems due to how the entry door or shower door swings open, then consider putting your sink in the corner to free up space.
If you’ve got a tight space with potential traffic-flow problems due to how the entry door or shower door swings open, then consider putting your sink in the corner to free up space.
8. Or a Tiny Tub
If you’ve got a small bathroom, you may think that a bathtub is not an option. But many companies are shrinking their models down to accommodate chic little spaces.
Find a bathroom designer
If you’ve got a small bathroom, you may think that a bathtub is not an option. But many companies are shrinking their models down to accommodate chic little spaces.
Find a bathroom designer
9. 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.
See more on picking a 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.
See more on picking a vanity
10. 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.
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.
11. 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 11⅜, which can affect your tile layout, niches and plumbing.
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 11⅜, which can affect your tile layout, niches and plumbing.
12. 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.
See 6 bathrooms that said goodbye to the tub
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.
See 6 bathrooms that said goodbye to the tub
13. Have More Than One Way of Drying Out Your Bathroom
Reducing mold and mildew begins with removing moisture. To do that it’s best to have a multifaceted approach: a great fan that vents to the outside (not into an attic) and an operable window.
Reducing mold and mildew begins with removing moisture. To do that it’s best to have a multifaceted approach: a great fan that vents to the outside (not into an attic) and an operable window.
14. Pay Attention to How Hardwood Meets a Tile Floor
Chances are, your bathroom will have a tile floor, but the hallway or room it’s connected to will have something totally different, like hardwood. The transition between these two spaces and materials is something that’s tough to get right. As in most cases, planning ahead will give you results that meet your expectations.
More on Houzz
Homeowner’s Workbook: How to Remodel Your Bathroom
How Much It Costs to Work With a Bathroom Designer
Get bathroom design ideas
Find a bathroom designer in your area
Shop for bathroom products
Chances are, your bathroom will have a tile floor, but the hallway or room it’s connected to will have something totally different, like hardwood. The transition between these two spaces and materials is something that’s tough to get right. As in most cases, planning ahead will give you results that meet your expectations.
More on Houzz
Homeowner’s Workbook: How to Remodel Your Bathroom
How Much It Costs to Work With a Bathroom Designer
Get bathroom design ideas
Find a bathroom designer in your area
Shop for bathroom products
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I had to laugh looking at the small tub. To me, it's like the difference between a standard swimming pool and a kiddie pool. Unless you have small children and really need a tub to bathe them, I can't see bothering with a tub that small. I am not a big person (about 5' tall and I think I would have a problem taking a bath in that tub.
A couple of these bathrooms do not seem to have personal drawers. Each person using a family bathroom regularly should have one or two dedicated personal drawers near the sink. Use your stuff, put it away in your drawer. In our master bathroom, we each have an under-sink cabinet plus a bank of four drawers.
I agree the tiny tub is too small for a teen or adult to bathe in. Sure would be good for a toddler or a dog. Less surface to clean afterwards, too.
Decades ago I saw one that was a good bit shorter and designed for a different purpose. Pull up a chair, add epsom salts, soak your weary swollen feet, and give yourself a pedicure.
I've always wanted one instead of a washbasin big enough for 1 foot at a time. Dumping out the used water is not fun and rarely is it accomplished neatly.