Just like any remodeling project, great planning is the key to a great bathroom renovation. Some important questions to ask yourself are:
- Who will be using this bathroom? Is it just for guests? Is it an ensuite for you and your loved one? Is it the common bathroom for three bedrooms and five of your little ones are going to share it? Answering this question will go a long way in helping you determine the number and type of fixtures you're going need, the layout of the bathroom, how much storage and accessories you're going to need, and even the style and type of materials you're going to use.
- How much do you want to invest in your bathroom at this time? Are you fixing it just to sell? Is this your retirement home and you want the bathroom you always dreamed of? Your design, material selections and choice of contractor are all going to be affected by your budget. Remember, figuring out your budget isn't the same as figuring out how much it will cost. Leave that for later. For now, do some soul searching to see how important this bathroom is to you and how long you'll be using it. Take the time to make a realistic financial analysis: how much can you afford, how much can you borrow if you're going that route, and what is the potential return on your investment.
Only with these questions well thought out and answered will you be ready to design a bathroom that is just right for you. Next article: Bathroom Layout.