Half baths are one of our favorite rooms to design, since they provide the opportunity to go a little over the top. If you love flashy floors, saturated colors, conspicuous chandeliers, wild wallpaper, and animal print, and you want to put them all together, the powder room (or half bath as it is also called) is the place to do it. Not that we’re necessarily recommending that – minimal and monochrome are fine too – but you get the idea.

Since entertaining season is around the corner (the holidays will be here sooner than you think!), now is a good time to start planning your powder room refresh. So where do you start?

Start with a statement sink

A half bath consists of just two fixtures: the toilet and the sink, so the sink should be a focal point. Since the average powder room is just 20 square feet, most people opt to forego a vanity in favor of a pedestal, or a ledge topped by a vessel sink. A vanity is not out of the question, however. Just make sure that it’s a showstopper and does not overcrowd the space. Try a converted desk or chest of drawers into unique bathroom vanity.

Include touches of tile

And by touches, we mean tile everywhere. Floor to ceiling tile is a look we love. Not only is it visually stunning, it is also easy to clean. Since you’re dealing with such a tiny space you can be a bit more adventurous with your finishes, and a bit more free with your budget. Need some ideas? You can go for the ultimate luxe look and clad the walls and floor in marble, add some sparkle with iridescent glass tile, or make the space feel larger by laying the tile out in a chevron pattern.

Layer in lighting

Many half baths are carved out of found space in a floor plan – created out of a closet, for example, or hidden under the stairs. For this reason they tend to have little to no natural light. Wall sconces and a chandelier will brighten up the space, make it functional, and add another layer of drama. If you can’t handle a windowless room, and your layout allows, try installing a skylight. The room will be flooded with natural light for most of the day, which will make it feel larger and more comfortable.

Maximize with mirrors

Nothing makes a room feel larger – and more dramatic – like mirrors. You will need one for over the sink. We recommend straying away from the standard medicine cabinet, and instead sourcing one that has unique etching, an interesting shape, or a vintage frame. If possible, incorporate a full length mirror as well, since this is the room that you and your guests will use to help you make sure you’re presentable.

Add accents and accessories

Decorative accessories are the “extra” in the word extraordinary. Even if you “go basic” elsewhere in your home, the powder room is the place to kick everything up a notch. You’ll need:

• Luxurious linens – high-thread-count hand towels, monogrammed if possible.
• Fine-milled soaps – subtly scented and generously proportioned.
• Facial tissues – super-soft, and stored in a tissue holder.
• Candles and/or aroma diffusers – make being in the powder room a multi-sensory experience.
• Greenery – use faux florals if that is your preference, or try a few stalks of bamboo for a zen feel.
• Canisters – store cotton pads, Q-tips, etc. in elegant containers.
• Wastebasket – splurge on a beautiful one.
• Art – Since unlike a full bath the powder room is not a wet room, a single statement piece or a gallery wall of your faves will be practical as well as beautiful.
• Do it for the ‘gram

Optics are everything. Visualize your space as an “after” photo that could be featured on one of those popular interior design Instagram feeds. Commit to a color, a texture, a print, a design style, or a trend, and then weave it unapologetically throughout the room. If you’re someone whose home is always full of guests, then make it gram-worthy, and ready to be featured in lots of bathroom selfies. Not into Instagram? That’s ok. The key is to make the space beautiful and eye-catching for you.

One last thing: sight lines are important. If you’re one of those people who leaves the bathroom door open between uses, and the room is visible from the rest of the house, make sure that the decor is not too visually disruptive.

Need some additional tips or expert advice? That’s where we come in. We can help you design a new half bath from scratch, or remodel your existing one. Contact us today to get started.

It makes sense to consider replacing a tub with a shower for a number of reasons. Showers use far less water than bathtubs, and save on associated energy and water costs for that reason. They’re also usually quicker to use, and can be fitted with luxury features such as non-slip tiles and benches.

Also, showers are more “user-friendly” for an aging population. Tubs can be difficult for older adults and people with injuries or disabilities to get in and out of, whereas easy-entry shower stalls are much more accessible.  As millions of Baby Boomers reach retirement age, these trends should only continue to rise in popularity.

Deciding WheN TO DITCH THE TUB

Renovating your bathroom is a great home investment, but before you take the plunge and rip out that tub, give this decision some careful consideration.

First, consider use. How much use does your tub really get? If you have small children, tubs are much easier than stalls, of course. If you only have one bathroom available and your kids are under the age of 8, you might want to hold off on the project until they’re older.

Most homeowners are also concerned about resale value before making substantial changes to bathrooms and kitchens, and that’s wise. After all, your home is also an investment, and it’s only prudent to avoid making changes that can lessen its value.

Tubs are just “expected” by some home buyers, and there’s no getting around that. But the lack of a tub might not be a detriment to a later sale. It depends on your market and what buyers are willing to accept. In an area with a high demand for housing and a limited supply, a home that lacks a bathtub will still sell, all other things being equal.

One way to preserve your options in resale value is to keep one tub somewhere in the house. A shower-only house can be a tougher sale down the line. But if you have two or more bathrooms available, by all means exchange one of those tubs for a bigger and more luxurious shower stall.

Finally, look carefully at the cost. The least expensive options — shower stall kits — start at $200 but can rise in price dramatically, and that’s before you hire a contractor, adjust your water lines, remove the tub, or modify surrounding flooring.

If you have the budget, we’d strongly encourage you to hire a licensed, experienced contractor, especially if you’re planning to put in a curbless shower (as we discuss below). If you tackle this one on your own, expect to spend at least a full weekend at it.

How Big a Job Is It to Exchange a Tub for a Shower?

Simple one-to-one conversions — that is, taking out a tub and installing a shower stall in the same space — are fairly simple if you’re working with a tub in a recessed alcove. Taking out a tub will leave a working space of approximately five feet in length and anywhere from 30 to 34 inches on average deep. That’s more than adequate for a roomy shower stall. The water lines shouldn’t need much adjustment, so the total project won’t be terribly complex.

But if you’ve got a freestanding tub, or one located beneath a window (which isn’t uncommon) you’ll have a slightly tougher — and more expensive — job ahead of you. You may need to relocate water supply and main lines, and that could add several hundred dollars to the budget.

Space needs should be reviewed carefully. Modern building codes require a shower floor space, or shower pan, of at least 30 inches square, which should make the removed-tub space sufficient. But some industry standards suggest a minimum of at least 36 inches square, in which case you’ll have some overage if you’re working with a standard tub footprint.

You’ll also need a height clearance of at least 80 inches, and at least 15” (preferably 18”) of space should remain between the side of the toilet and the side of the shower wall. And, of course, if there’s a swinging door entrance into the shower stall, you’ll need to make sure it completely clears any possible obstructions such as cabinetry or fixtures.

What Kind of Shower? 

One of those popular choices among homeowners who are ditching the tub and moving to shower-only baths is the walk-in shower. These designs offer both ease of use — especially for an aging homeowner — and a more modern, streamlined aesthetic that conveys a sense of luxury.

Another consideration in choosing to replace a tub with a shower is whether to select a stall with or without a curb.

Many stalls feature a curb — a “lip” usually constructed out of tile that protects the rest of the room’s flooring by acting as a little dam for the water before it drains through the floor. A curbless shower stall uses a shower pan that’s flush with the rest of the floor of the bathroom, without that lip.

While curbless stalls do look more modern and are definitely trending in popularity these days, they’re also more difficult to install correctly, often requiring adjustments to the existing floor height and adding to the project cost.

So if you think you’d like the curbless option, review your options with your licensed contractor carefully, and seek their input and recommendations.

Even if you’re planning to limit your expenses by getting the job done on a budget, you should look at your possible return on investment (or ROI). When it comes to home renovation, the bathroom is a great place to start. Not only is it an easier room to make over, it’s also a great investment.

Remodeling Online looked at home resale data for 2017 and determined that, as in years past, bathroom remodel jobs continue to be among the best investments you can make in your home. In fact, you can recoup about seventy cents for every dollar you spend.

And HGTV says that bathrooms are one of the main areas new buyers will look at first, although of course more fundamental maintenance issues should always be taken care of first — e.g., repairing a leaky roof or updating worn-out siding.

The exact amount you’ll earn back on your bathroom renovation investment depends on a number of factors, of course. Those factors include things like the value of your home, the average value of similar homes in your area, how well the job is done, and the extent of the work.

For example, Home Advisor reports that the average cost of a bathroom remodeling job can range anywhere from $2,600 to $20,000. If your budget is tight, you can stretch those dollars by focusing on renovating the essentials in a small or mid-sized bathroom. Assuming the work is high quality, you’ll enjoy a dramatic upgrade for the investment.

You don’t have to go crazy with a complete overhaul. Instead, extend the impact of your budget by installing updated fixtures and re-grouting your shower. Adding crown molding to any bathroom is another great way to make a big splash with a shoestring budget.

To maximize your investment, go for high-impact, low-cost changes. Exchange a boxy sink and vanity for a slimmer pedestal style to open up the space and streamline the look. In a master bath, you could replace a single sink with a double one, as many buyers will be looking for that feature. In smaller rooms, though, do the reverse – change out a double one for a single to expand the space.

As for the eternal paint or wallpaper debate, your safest bet for a maximized ROI is to skip the paper, which can look dated very quickly and runs the risk of turning off homebuyers who really aren’t into scraping it off. Instead, go for a clean, fresh coat of paint in a neutral color scheme.

Individual components are available at a huge range of price points. Toilets are generally the least expensive items, about $200 on the low end up to $800.

But for just about every other item up for consideration in a bathroom remodel, the average price range is far greater. Sinks, for example, can cost as little as $200 or as much as $6,500 or more.

You can use Home Advisor’s estimate tool to get an idea of how much your own bathroom job will cost.

How do you get started? One way is to allow yourself to dream big. Create a mood board using online images and Pinterest or a similar app to collect and organize the elements of your dream bathroom. Then you can look for more ways to achieve the same look and feel. Once this is all set, you’re ready to decide on financing options.

As Harvard University’s Kermit Baker comments on This Old House, bathrooms are one of the main areas prospective purchasers look at. That’s why making an investment can really pay off. According to HGTV some research finds that sellers recoup two or three times the cost when they sell their homes.

Cost of Small Bathroom Renovation

How much does a bathroom remodel cost? It varies widely. Home Advisor puts the average cost at $9348, with a low of $2600 and a high of a whopping $20,000. Let’s face it, that last number would make most people think twice. The good news is that you can keep bathroom remodel costs under control so you add value and beauty to your home without draining your bank account.

If your home has a small bathroom, you’re already ahead of the game because less square footage means less expenditure. But you can keep the budget even lower by thinking carefully about every aspect of your bathroom renovation project.

How to Save Money on Your Bathroom Remodel

Starting at the top, crown molding can make a room look finished, making a nice transition between the walls and the ceiling. The question is: does that really matter in the bathroom? Crown molding doesn’t come cheap, so eliminating this is a good bet for a budget small bathroom renovation.

Let’s talk tiles. Some people want floor-to-ceiling tiles, but this can be costly. Save money by limiting the areas you tile and painting the rest. If you only tile the floor and bath or shower surround, you’ll cut tile usage in half and make big savings.

You can also save money when tiling by avoiding the subway tiles which are currently in fashion in favor of a bigger tile. Since every tile has to be placed and grouted manually, the more tiles you have the more labor you need. Bigger tiles mean less labor and lower costs. If you love the way small tiles look, cheat by getting a large tile in a mosaic pattern, like this porcelain tile from Floor & Decor.

How to Save on Plumbing and Fittings

Another area where you can make big savings is in plumbing. You may want to switch things round, but is it really worth the additional cost? That applies to electric wiring, too. Leave plumbing and electrics where they are and refresh your small bathroom by changing the fixtures and fittings instead. Good budget options include:

• Replacing a single light fitting offering double the lighting, like this Home Depot vanity light.
• Installing a single sink instead of a double.
• Using an old dresser as a sink surround instead of purchasing a new one.
• Retaining the base of your toilet and simply updating the toilet seat and lid.

Glass shower enclosures look great in any bathroom, but they also increase the cost of your remodel. Replace the enclosure with a shower curtain and rail to keep costs down. For bathroom faucets, go with chrome instead of brushed nickel to save a small fortune – the most expensive faucets for your sink cost a couple of hundred dollars and shower heads can be even more costly.

Most people need bathroom storage, but do you need a medicine cabinet as well as under-sink storage? Save on this area of your small bathroom by installing a mirror and storing your medicines elsewhere. Alternatively, use open shelving and save on the price of doors.

Finally, did you know you can get combo packages for bathroom fittings? It’s another great way to keep the cost down.

Good bathroom renovations aren’t cheap, but they don’t have to bust the budget either. With our tips, you can achieve a beautiful remodel and still have money in the bank.

Choosing a Tile Color

Small Bathrooms

The tile color should be determined by the size of your bathroom. Light colors will make your bathroom appear larger, so if you have a small bathroom these light colors will look best: pastels, whites, beige, and neutrals.

Tile Styles

Ceramic

Ceramic tile is not very expensive, easy to clean, easy to install, and comes in a great variety of colors and designs.

Porcelain

More luxurious.  Porcelain tile is available in with great designs and shapes.

Stone

Stone tile looks striking as an accent on the wall. And it’s great to mix it with glass and metal pieces.

Glass

The shiny polished look adds a modern, yet classy look to your bathroom. It’s a more expensive option, but you can mix it with other tiles to help reduce the cost.

We are ready to make your bathroom an everyday trip to the spa. Let’s get installing! Contact us here.