There’s one room in the house we don’t talk about much, but spend a lot of time in. Although we do our best to keep it clean, it tends to grow a bit damp and musty over time, and frankly isn’t a place you want to stay long in. We are talking about the bathroom, of course, a space with so much potential that is so often sadly neglected. It doesn’t have to be that way, with a little bit of planning you can transform your bathroom from a necessary evil into a place you actually enjoy and look forward to visiting!
A bathroom remodel is one of the nicest things you can do for yourself, any visitors, and your house’s value. Careful planning is required, and you will need to consult with your friendly plumber in the Sutherland Shireto make sure all the pipes are going where they need to when the job is done!
When investing in a bathroom remodelling project, it’s preferable that the results not only be pleasing to you but also save you money on your energy and water bills, as well as adding value to your home. The main goal, however, is to create a space you will enjoy using, that’s aesthetically attractive, safe, and comfortable! Here are some thoughts on making all this happen:
Choose the right surfaces – These need to look great, but there is more to it than that since they take a lot of abuse. Porcelain tiles are a perennial favourite for use on both floors and walls, they are waterproof, easy to clean, and yes, they look great, with a vast variety of colours, patterns, and textures to choose from. One caveat is to make sure the texture you choose for the flooring is not going to be slippery when wet!
Porcelain is also a favourite for sinks, but it can be prone to chipping. Enamel-on-steel sinks are durable and stain-resistant, as are stainless steel sinks, which are growing in popularity for bathroom use.
For the countertop, laminate and solid surfaces are always popular, but lately, quartz and granite have migrated from the kitchen to the bathroom, and make for an excellent choice. Make sure there is plenty of open space for soap dishes, toothbrush holders, and other grooming necessities. This is also where you want really good lighting, theatre dressing room make-up stands are a good model for this. Shelves on the empty wall above the toilet help maximise space.
Go big on the shower – Spacious showers are all the rage these days, and compared to standing in the poor old rarely used bathtub, walk-in showers are a truly luxurious experience. Add power shower heads for a massage effect, and steam generators for a sensuous mist.
Regarding new fixtures like the toilet, the Australian Government has some thoughts on saving water that may be useful. Just make sure you take a seat in the showroom when shopping for your new commode because comfort trumps looks every time!
