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Bathroom Plans: Your Guide to Designing Your New Bathroom

According to the National Association of Realtors,75 percent of homeowners have a greater desire to spend time at home after a remodel.

The most common reason to undertake a bathroom redesign is to upgrade the space. This can mean creating a new layout and improving the practicality of the space or updating old features.

If it’s time to spruce up or remodel your bathroom, you might be wondering where to start. After all, a bathroom redesign isn’t cheap. The national average cost of a bathroom remodel ranges between $12,500-15,000 depending on size, location, and features.

You want your bathroom to be both stylish and practical for your space. In this article, we go over everything you need to know to help you design your bathroom plans.

Consider the Layout

When considering your layout you should consider functionality as well as personal preference.

Who uses the bathroom? Do you share the bathroom or is it a spare bathroom? It might even be a powder room or half bath.

Think about the bathroom’s primary purpose and how often it’s used when deciding how to lay out a bathroom. Below are a few factors that impact the functionality of your space.

Houses with Young Children

If the bathroom is a shared space, you may want to think about adding double sinks or a separate toilet area. This way, more than one person can get ready in the bathroom at the same time.

Your bathroom plan should also include a tub if you want to resell your home. This is because expecting parents and families with small children prefer homes with this feature. You can install either a separate tub or a shower-tub combo depending on personal preferences and the amount of space you have.

The Size of the Room

The amount of space you have to work with may impact your design decisions. As an example, a standard tub is 15 square feet but you can save space by installing a shower-tub combo.

If you’re redesigning a small bonus bathroom, a walk-in shower is the better choice. This leaves more room for people to move around and get ready.

If you have a large master suite, you may want to install a soaking tub or whirlpool bathtub. Just be advised that whirlpool tubs are harder to clean and some home buyers don’t like them.

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Single Vanity or Double Sinks

In a small bathroom, a single vanity takes up less space and looks stylish. But if it’s a shared bathroom, a double sink may be the better option.

Larger bathrooms benefit from double sinks because two people can get ready at the same time. There is also more space for personal items on the counter. This decision comes down to the size of the room, personal preference, and the number of bathrooms.

Separate Toilets

Another factor to consider is whether you want the toilet separate or not. Bathroom configurations that separate the toilet in another area allow for more privacy. However, dividing the toilet may make the room look smaller, so consider the size of your space first.

If your toilet is separate from the rest of the bathroom, you have to consider where to place the sink as well. Keeping the sink with the toilet is more hygienic, but consider plumbing layout and cost first.

Bathroom Plans with Extra Features

Are you going for luxury or simplicity? Depending on what you plan to do with the home and the area you live in, this may impact your bathroom design plans.

A bathroom with lots of high-end finishes looks great, but it may not make sense depending on the area you live in. Do your research and consider resale value before deciding on any luxury features.

For example, these bathroom upgrades increase the value of your home and modernize the room.

Here are other features you may want to consider for your bathroom:

  • Heated floors
  • Marble floors and countertops
  • Skylights
  • Heated towel racks
  • Spa-style bath
  • Attached dressing room
  • Jacuzzi tub
  • Bidet toilet
  • Smart toilets

Thanks to modern technology, we now have more convenient and more hygienic bathrooms. Check out this blog to learn more about bathroom technology and possible upgrades for your remodel.

Decide on Your Budget

Extra features can add up and bust your budget if you don’t plan in advance. The first step is to look at your finances and decide how much you can reasonably spend. You may need to use a budgeting worksheet to find a ballpark number.

You also want to consider how long you plan on staying in the home. Is it a temporary location or are you planning on settling down here? Depending on your answer, this affects the type of upgrades you should pick.

If you plan on spending many years at home you can add personalized touches without worrying about resale value. If you’re not sure how long you’ll be staying it’s best to keep it simple. Invest in upgrades that are appealing to both yourself and other home buyers.

DIY or Professional

Once you have your bathroom layout ideas, the next step is deciding to DIY the job or hire a professional. There are pros and cons to each and it comes down to your budget and skills.

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You can DIY a bathroom remodel, but there are risks involved. Hiring labor to tackle the job is costly, but may be safer especially if you run into problems. You can always negotiate prices and get a free consultation.

Bathroom design involves many careful measurements, plumbing work, and electrical work. One wrong move could end in a costly disaster. For example, you may find rotting subfloors or rusted pipes so if in doubt call in the professionals.

Ready to Design Your New Bathroom?

Bathroom remodels don’t have to be intimidating as long as you plan ahead. Consider the needs of your space and do your research before finalizing any bathroom plans. Once you have a solid design and a budget, decide if you’re going to tackle the design yourself or call in a professional.

Have a question about bathroom redesign or other home improvement topics? Head on over to our discussion forums and join in on the conversation.