10 Key signs your bathroom is ready for a renovation
Occasionally, the time to remodel your bathroom is obvious. There’s a plumbing leak, loose tiles, or mold growing behind the wall. Other times, it’s more subtle. But if you’re limping along with daily challenges like poor lighting or a lack of electrical outlets, your bathroom may be trying to tell you something. While every homeowner has personal preferences or their own ideas of what makes the perfect bathroom, here are 10 signs your bathroom is ready for renovation.
You Need Safety Upgrades
According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), emergency departments in the United States treated an estimated 234,094 nonfatal bathroom injuries in one year alone. If you feel unsafe in your bathroom, now’s the time to upgrade a few things, like:
- Flooring—If you have smooth tile floors that are slippery when wet, consider anti-slip floor tiles. Choose a tile with a dynamic coefficient of friction of 0.42 or higher.
- Lighting—Improved lighting in the bathroom makes the space safer. Consider adding motion-sensor lights to eliminate the need for fumbling around in the dark.
- Accessibility—Ease of use is important no matter how mobile a person is. Zero-entry showers reduce tripping risk. And grab bars can blend in with your design to help everyone feel safe.
- Ventilation—Keeping your bathroom as steam-free as possible helps to maintain healthy air quality. Choose an exhaust fan with a CFM rating for the square footage of the room, or higher.
To Improve Efficiency and Sustainability
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), toilets account for as much as 30 percent of a home’s water usage. If your home was built before 1994 when the Energy Policy Act went into effect, chances are your toilet uses from 3.5-6 gallons of water per flush. New toilets use as little as 1.28 gallons of water per flush, which is 20 percent less than the federal requirement of 1.6 gallons.
Faucets with motion sensors also reduce waste, particularly when there are children in the home who forget to turn off the water. Not to mention, installing low-flow showerheads helps the average family save up to 2700 gallons of water yearly, according to the EPA. When shopping for water-saving fixtures, look for the WaterSense label.
Your Family’s Needs Are Changing
Families with small children require different amenities than childless couples or empty-nesters. A Jack-and-Jill bathroom with access from two adjoining bedrooms is ideal when you have children in the home. Dual sinks, a tub for the toddlers, and a shower for older kids provide for everyone’s needs. Or, if you have a large family, you may need an additional bathroom altogether. Add or enlarge the master bath to accommodate a soaking tub and walk-in shower, and the parents are covered, as well.
You Have Perpetual Plumbing Issues
If your bathroom has a funky smell you can’t seem to eliminate, you may have mold growing behind the tile or under the sink. Bathroom mold can be caused by either plumbing leaks or insufficient ventilation. Both require immediate attention.
Frequent use of drain openers or toilet plungers is another sure sign your bathroom needs some care. If this sounds familiar, consult with a plumber to see if a bathroom remodel could solve your drainage problems.
The Lighting Is Inadequate
To improve the visibility in your bathroom, consider enhancing both natural and artificial lighting. Enlarge or add windows or skylights for natural lighting. And, practice light layering to provide adequate lighting for each area or task. Light layering can include:
- A bright central overhead fixture for overall visibility
- Warmer vanity sconces for hair and make-up prep
- Can lights in the shower or water closet
- A mood-enhancing chandelier over the soaking tub
You Just Don’t Like the Way Your Bathroom Looks
No one needs to live in a space they just don’t like. If your tastes or the trends have changed, your bathroom may feel outdated or even uncomfortable to you. When homeowners remodel their homes one room at a time, entering the last room on the list often feels like stepping back in time. Maybe that’s how you feel with your 20th Century fixtures or linoleum floors. If your bathroom no longer brings you joy, that’s a sure sign it’s time for a remodel.
Your Bathroom Lacks Function and Storage
It’s hard to have everything in its place when you don’t have a place for everything. A poorly designed bathroom that lacks adequate storage is hard to function in. If your vanity is cluttered with bottles, brushes, and make-up containers, it’s time to do something about it. Updating the storage solutions in your bathroom won’t just make it less cluttered but will make it more comfortable. And with a total bathroom remodel, you’ll be able to create built-ins that work and don’t take up the space that store-bought organizers do.
You Want to Age In Place
According to the CDC, the rate of bathroom injuries in homeowners increases with age, with 81 percent of injuries being caused by falls. If you plan to stay in your home for the rest of your life, now’s the time to think about including some universal design elements in a bathroom renovation. Here are a few changes to consider.
- Widening doorways to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers
- Creating a zero-entry shower with built-in benches
- Installing a slip-resistant floor
- Incorporating grab bars that blend in with your design
- Including motion sensor lighting and faucets
- Installing a comfort-height toilet
You Want a Spa-like Experience
If your master bath is a throwback from the 1970s, you may long for something larger and spa-like. A soaking tub with a garden view, multiple shower heads, his and her sinks, heated towel bars, and radiant floor heating are just a few ways to turn your bathroom into a special retreat. Replace the garish-colored tile with the calming tones of a neutral palette and you have the perfect place to relax after a long day juggling clients, doing the carpool shuffle, or chasing toddlers.
A Bathroom Remodel Will Increase Your Home’s Value
According to Remodeling’s 2021 Cost vs. Value Report, homeowners see a 60 percent return on investment for a midrange bathroom remodel. When selling, 33 percent of Realtors suggest homeowners remodel a bathroom prior to selling.
A bathroom remodel does more than increase the value of your home. It provides a private place to escape.
If you’re sure it’s time to renovate your bathroom, contact the design-build remodeling team at Blackline Renovations in Dallas. Browse their portfolio of amazing work and then call to schedule a consultation. They’re ready to guide you on your remodeling journey.