Remodeling an outdated bathroom
Attempting to remodel any room can be a giant undertaking; however remodeling an outdated bathroom can be an especially large project. Though small, bathrooms contain many elements that can end up costing lost of money or lots of labor. While many parts of a bathroom remodel will be similar to a remodel in any other room, other parts of the bathroom are unique to that specific room and may have issues that must be dealt with. Here are a few things to remember when remodeling an outdated bathroom.
Water Damage
Water is usually a prevalent part of the everyday use of a bathroom. The shower and tub use water, the toilet uses water, and the sink uses water. When dealing with an outdated bathroom, it is important to check and make sure there is no water damage. Sometimes it will be obvious there is water damage because the walls may feel soft or be growing mold, water may leak through to a lower floor, and tile may have come loose from constantly being covered in water. Other times water damage will not be discovered until the tile or linoleum is torn up. Be sure to check all of the plumbing and the wood underneath the floor to ensure there is no structural damage that could make the bathroom dangerous.
Update Features
Many outdated bathrooms have functioning plumbing and layout, but the features alone make the bathroom look nine hundred year old. Sometimes the best thing to do is replace it all. Look through magazines, visit friends' houses, or walk through a hardware store to get an idea of what kind of look is wanted. Then, purchase the elements necessary to create the look. This may mean buying a new toilet, vanity, sink, cupboards, tile for the floor, wallpaper, shower curtain, tub, etc. Sometimes, if for example the tub is in good condition and still fits the new decorations, then certain items like the tub could be kept. However, be careful or the old features may detract from the new bathroom.
Make it Feel Larger
Helping a bathroom feel larger without doing major construction is a great way to update a bathroom. Many old bathrooms are very cramped. Opening up the space by using a thinner vanity or creating storage above the toilet can help open the bathroom up. Also, hanging a few strategically placed mirrors can make the space feel much larger than it is. The key is to simply minimize the size and bulk of the items placed in the bathroom.
Improve Usability
Some outdated bathrooms simply do not meet the needs of the homeowner. Updating a bathroom is the perfect excuse for making the bathroom fit the owner's needs. This does not necessarily mean having to move the tub from one side of the bathroom to the other. But, for example, if the shower is on the north end of the bathroom and the towel rack is on the south end of the bathroom, then getting dry on cold winter mornings may be a freezing task. This is the chance to move that rack closer to the shower and make it look good.
Remodeling an outdated bathroom is an exciting time to ensure the space is safe, updated, and usable. This can all be done to make the bathroom look good and function properly for years to come.
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Tags: outdated bathroom remodeling water damage shower tub toilet sink vanity tile wallpaper
