Planning on giving your bathroom a revamp this spring? When it comes to injecting some extra luxury and transforming it into a space you’ll love spending time in, there’s a lot to consider – and from choosing a layout that best fits your needs and a design aesthetic that you adore, to selecting the perfect mix of fixtures and accessories to put the icing on the cake, every small detail matters.
In fact, it’s this kind of careful attention to detail that makes the difference between a bathroom that looks and feels opulent, and one that doesn’t – so it’s vital to ensure that no element of the project is overlooked.
Here’s a comprehensive checklist of all the factors you should keep in mind, from dreaming up the initial concept and design, right down to putting the finishing touches on the completed project.
Set aside a budget
If money is no object for you, then it can be tempting to go into home design projects without paying attention to the potential cost and simply splurging as you go along – but having a rough budget in mind is always handy as it will allow you to keep track of your finances better and predict all of the potential outgoings attached that you might not have thought of.
The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends breaking the costs into various categories, such as labour, materials, and fixtures, and keeping aside a small portion to cover any unexpected expenses that arise along the way.
Here’s how you could consider allocating your budget as a general rule of thumb:
Layout planning and designing 4%
Labour 20%
Flooring 9%
Walls and ceilings 5%
Doors and windows 4%
Taps and plumbing 14%
Countertops 7%
Bathroom furniture 16%
Other fixtures 15%
Lighting and ventilation 5%
Others 1%
Planning your space
Any bathroom makeover project should be planned carefully to ensure it goes smoothly, starting with how best to use the space you have available to work with.
To begin with, take accurate measurements of the length, width, and height of your bathroom, and determine the placement of fixtures like your toilet, bathtub, shower, sink, and storage solutions. Consider traffic flow, leaving enough space for each fixture to keep it accessible and account for the swing of your bathroom door into the room. You’ll also want to evaluate your lighting and ventilation needs and any specific accessibility needs you or other family members may have, as these will need to be taken into consideration to ensure the bathroom remains user friendly.
Some key questions to ask yourself when planning your space and how best to incorporate your chosen features include whether you are limited to one sink or if you have space for two; whether you’ll need extra storage or recessed shelving, and how you’d like to position of the bathtub, shower enclosure, toilet and bathroom furniture whilst making sure there is enough space between them for ease of use.
Colour scheme
The colour scheme of your new bathroom is an important design element that will set the overall tone for the space, and encompasses everything from your flooring and walls to your furniture, and accessories, so think about each of these when developing your colour palette for the entire space. Intensely saturated colours like black, red, and orange add character and warmth, while soothing neutral shades like grey, white, green, and blue can create a serene environment. Don’t be afraid to get creative and have fun with it.
Lighting
Lighting plays an important role not just in making a bathroom functional and comfortable, but also in helping to create a luxurious ambience. When you’re taking a long, relaxing soak in the bath, the last thing you’ll want is excessively bright overhead lighting killing the vibe, so consider how you might incorporate task lighting, too.
Overhead lighting should provide adequate illumination throughout the space, while task lighting should be strategically positioned for shaving, applying makeup, and getting dressed. You can use dimmer switches to create that all important ambience by controlling the brightness and changing it to the right level to suit your mood.
Ventilation
Good ventilation is crucial for a pleasant user experience while taking baths or showers, and also helps keep humidity levels low to prevent the growth of mould and mildew – both of which can quickly spoil the luxurious look and are detrimental to your health. Think about how you will keep air circulating and keep any steam from lingering; you may decide that you need an exhaust fan with a timer, which will continue to run after you leave the bathroom to ensure adequate airflow throughout the space, and turn itself off once the job is done.
Fittings and fixtures
Now for the fun bit. Picking your fixtures and fittings is easily one of the more enjoyable parts of redesigning your bathroom, and is your chance to splash out on that extravagant clawfoot bathtub you’ve had your eye on, or those opulent marble vanities. But in doing so, you’ll need to refer back to the initial stages of planning to ensure they’ll all fit in the space you have in a practical and user-friendly way. And of course, you’ll also want to make sure that they look good together and complement your chosen design aesthetic.
Flooring
A waterproof, durable, and slip-resistant flooring option, such as ceramic or porcelain tiles, is essential for keeping your bathroom safe and ensuring it’s easy to clean – but the good news is that it doesn’t mean having to opt for a dull or unglamorous choice. These days, both come in a wide variety of different patterns and designs, making it easy to find the perfect style and finish to complete the look of your new luxury bathroom. Adding a rug or mat is a great way to add some extra flair and enhance comfort.
Personal touches
Adding some personal touches to your space, once the hard work is complete, is a great way to add some extra flair in a way that reflects your individual style and tastes. Plants, artwork, and decorative pieces you love will all help to make the space as unique as your personality, and adding your favourite scents through candles and reed diffusers will add an extra-luxurious touch.
The bottom line
With so many elements needing to be taken into consideration, planning a luxury bathroom makeover can be a tricky task, but determining the available space, selecting the perfect fixtures, using efficient lighting, considering ventilation, developing your colour palette and adding a personal touch are all the key ingredients you’ll need when it comes to creating the master bathroom of your dreams, and an end result you won’t be able to get enough of.
