41 Custom Bathrooms to Inspire Your Own Bath Remodel

5 Steps to a Successful Bathroom Remodel

While our 33 inspired images can help give you some visual ideas, it can be difficult to pull the entire look together when you don’t know how to properly prepare. We all wish it could be as easy as waving a magic wand and watching every new element fall into place, but unfortunately, it takes a lot of time, planning, and hard work to achieve the ideal look you want.

Did you know that bathrooms are the most popular rooms in the house to renovate, according to Forbes? It’s a smart move when you are looking to invest in your future. Remodeling a new room can substantially increase the value of your home, ultimately giving you a great return if you want to make a profit. Plus, it never hurts to beautify your bathroom for the sake of your own enjoyment and relaxation!

But when you’ve never remodeled your bathroom before, it can be difficult to figure out what exactly to do first. Follow these 5 steps to start planning your remodeling project the right way.

1.  Put Aside Money for the Unexpected

Planning your budget is a natural first step for any big project plans. But when factoring your budget, don’t just add up the costs of your new materials and labor and call it a day. There are plenty of other expenses you’ll need to consider as well. This is especially the case when it comes to unexpected expenses.

The worst feeling is when you are halfway through your remodeling project and you are suddenly hit with a surprise cost. Maybe you lifted up the sink to find a huge leak, and you’ll need to call in the emergency plumbers. Or perhaps there is some mold you need to get rid of before your true remodeling plans can begin. All of this costs a little extra cash, and you’ll be grateful to have some savings set aside for emergency situations like this.

2. Order Your Materials Ahead of Time

It can take a while to decide what kind of materials, surfaces, products, and colors you want your new bathroom to consist of. But once you do decide, you should start ordering everything as early as you can.

Everything from the new sink faucets to the bathroom floor tile should be ordered in advance. Don’t wait until you set your project start date to order the materials. They should already be paid for and on their way to you before you even begin with your bathroom remodeling project.

If something is missing in the middle of your renovation, it will halt the entire process, which may mean that your contractors have to work longer than planned, costing you more money up front.

3. Increased Quality

Because everything from the cabinetry to the flooring is custom; quality is assured. In other words, you get full value for your money. Your bathroom is likely to last longer and require less maintenance over time.  Not only can you choose custom parts, but you can ensure that each and every new material is made to your standards. Just remember to stay true to your budget!

4. Specific Needs

Each home has unique needs that a generic bathroom cannot meet. For example, there may be someone with a disability and requires special fittings in the bathroom. There may be an elderly person who would benefit from a customized shower design. There may be children whose safety must be taken into account when designing the bathroom.

All these needs can only be fulfilled by a custom bathroom.

5. A Place that Makes You Happy

In the end, the purpose of a home is not just to provide a roof over our heads. It is also a personal sanctuary where you can relax and be yourself. A bathroom is even more personal in nature. Nothing beats a place that makes you happy and this is what a custom bathroom will make you feel. You get the colors you want, the materials you want, the atmosphere you desire; it is simply the perfect bathroom.

3. Prepare for Demolition

In order for the new products to come in, the old products must first go out. Demolition is the first step to clearing out your bathroom in order to make way for your new plans. And to be honest, the demolition process is usually one of the fastest and easiest parts of the whole project. But there are still a couple of things you should keep in mind:

● Demolition makes a lot of noise and it would be a good idea to remove all family members and pets from the home during this time.
● Demolition can cause dust and other particles to float in the air for quite some time, so if you are going to remain in the home, you should invest in a mask and some eye protection.

● It’s vital that all of your plumbing and electricity hookups are disconnected before you begin removing appliances.

What do you do if you aren’t removing everything from the bathroom? Perhaps you want to keep your existing shower or sink. You can leave it in the room, but make sure to protect it with padding and plywood so it stays unscathed during the process.

4. Don’t Make New Changes

Once the project has begun, it is really difficult to make any sudden changes. Your budget has been set, your materials have been ordered, and your contractors have been hired. To make a change order in the middle of all the building can really take precious time and money away from everyone involved, especially yourself.

This is especially true if you ask for changes that totally stray away from your original plans and designs. This is just asking to increase costs and make things more difficult for your remodeling team.

5. Upgrade the Essentials

Bathroom remodels usually focus on the visual aspects of the room that you are looking forward to upgrading. It’s exciting to pick out new cabinets, countertops, tiling, and bathtubs. Everything can be totally refreshed and refurbished to create a new bathroom look. But you can’t forget about the essential, unseen things.

Benefits of Custom Bathrooms

1. The Perfect Design

You have your dream bathroom in mind. Maybe you want quartz floors, a granite tub, a rainfall shower and so on. A custom bathroom delivers the perfect design, ensuring you get exactly what you desire. Whether you wanted a romantic double tub, a private spa area, a disability access bathroom, a breathtaking view of the outdoors, you can get it all.

In the end, you will be happier and more satisfied with the bathroom for a long time to come. Even more importantly, you will get a bathroom that fits your unique needs.

2. Maximize Space

In many homes, the bathroom is usually one of the smallest rooms in the house. Generic designs tend to under utilize the small space available, leaving dead spaces that could have been put to better use. With a custom bathroom, you can make efficient use of the space available, be it big or small.

Take it a step further with floating shelves and cabinets to maximize your floor space. This is a good opportunity to invest in hidden storage so you can remain organized yet un-cluttered.

A Few Things To Keep in Mind

• It does not have to be big. Despite what the magazines tell you, a custom bathroom does not have to be a monstrous room set within an expansive mansion. You can turn your small ordinary bathroom into a luxurious custom space.

• In the same breath, it does not have to be expensive. It is true that custom bathroom designs will cost more than a generic one, but they do not have to be ridiculously expensive. There are plenty of custom bathrooms designs that can be achieved on a budget.

• Insist on the best. For best results, go for high quality items. Whether it is the flooring, the cabinets or the lighting, opt for the highest quality. They will last longer and make your bathroom look better.

• Be bold. Before you even think about the costs involved, determine what kind of bathroom you want. Do not hold back. Whether you want opulent and luxurious, clean and urban or warm and spacious, go for it. Once you decide what you want, it becomes easier to plan around it. You can even work with the contractor to find areas where you can cut the costs down to your budget.
• Understand what you are getting into. Too often, homeowners will desire a luxury bathroom without contemplating issues like maintenance and cleaning. Make sure you understand exactly what you are getting. Will the bathroom require special care? What kind of maintenance is required? Ask a lot of such questions before proceeding.