Bathrooms are not unlike kitchens when considering the value of your home. They can be the room that either helps or hinders the sale of your home. They can also be that space that energizes or deflates you. I want to discuss how to get your bathroom right for you. Let’s not talk about resale at this point. Let’s make ourselves happy first!
The thing about bathrooms is that they are all basically the same. You have a sink/vanity, a tub/shower (sometimes both) and a commode. The layout, size and style of the bathroom is as varied as each home but, the details are where you let your own personality shine through. Many of the details are pretty permanent too, such as the tile in the shower or on the floor. The cost of vanity cabinets and stone or quartz counters make these small spaces a big investment.
The fear of making a costly mistake paralyzes so many that they end up with a pretty ordinary bathroom, lacking in any real style. I tell all of my clients that making decisions based on fear is as costly as making decisions based on bad taste. You can have style and you can stay within your set budget. The trick is (you know there is always a trick or two) do your homework. Research everything that is available to you, even those things that you think you can never afford. The best decisions are based knowing what is possible first, then making adjustments to fit your home, your lifestyle and your budget.
As a principle in a design firm with the experience and reputation such as ours, we have access to the newest and the best. That is one of the things that we bring to the table. We actually help our clients to save money by making the right decisions the first time. We do that through our own research and sourcing. We also make sure our clients have the very best that their budget will allow. You can do the same thing with a few tips from me…
Tile:
First, be sure that you are selecting the proper tile for the proper surface. I have seen too many bathrooms where wall tiles have been put on the floor, creating a dangerous issue when they are wet.
Second, realize that the big home improvement guys have lots of tile but, they keep it pretty basic. The style has a tendency to be “last year’s look”. This does not mean that there are not gems to be uncovered. I like to pair well priced tiles for every surface with specialty tiles to give the room a richer look.
Third, mix it up! A shower stall doesn’t have to have only one wall tile. My tip is to avoid the contrasting band idea and choose a feature wall in the shower. Use one tile on the feature wall and a complimentary tile on the remaining walls. The finish is much more dramatic and luxurious.
Fourth, don’t worry about mixing scale, texture or finish of tiles. I use mirrored, glass, metal, stone and porcelain tiles all in the same bathroom. It is not so much about contrast as it is about adding texture and visual interest.
Counters:
First, I only recommend quartz counter tops to my clients. They are the only stone surface that is impervious to stain. The bathroom has become a sort of laboratory with the number of chemicals in your soap, shampoos, conditioners and cleaning fluids. What we have seen is that the marbles that we all loved from years ago are staining much more quickly and permanently.
Second, know where you can make a big difference. Did you know that some quartz can be back lit? Your quartz vanity top can actually be lit from underneath! Talk about dramatic and luxurious. If under counter lighting is not in your budget, many quartz counter styles (my preference is always Cambria Quartz) have reflective materials in their mix that catch and reflect light beautifully. With the proper lighting from above, your counters can literally sparkle.
Third, an undercounter mounted sink is still the first choice of a luxury bathroom but, be sure that the edge of the counter that falls into the sink is properly finished. No matter what edge detail we may use on the outside edge of a vanity, the inside edge of the sink should be eased and polished.
Accessories:
First, when selecting your faucets, handles, towel bars, towel rings, vanity hardware and bath tissue holders, remember that they don’t all have to match. In fact, mixing up styles and finishes may help you to create a more personalized bathroom. I love mixing gold and silver. I also love mixing modern with traditional. If you follow me here, you know that I am always saying, “It’s all in the mix”. The look becomes confusing when your contrast looks haphazard instead of purposeful. Be sure that you coordinate every selection before proceeding to ordering.
Second, every shower should have a handheld shower. They are not only great for bathing but they making cleaning a breeze. And ease of cleaning should always be part of the equation when creating your bathroom.
Third, shower enclosures are very important part of making your bathroom fresh and luxurious. Use frameless glass for the door and stationary panels. The exposed barndoor mechanism is also a popular choice for the sliding door. This is an area where I will definitely contrast the finish with the other metals in the room.
Finally, as in any room, lighting is paramount in the making the whole room shine and work. As in other rooms I recommend a variety of light to do the job. Recessed cans of course, but decorative fixtures also add the illumination and the style. I use as many sconces and chandeliers in bathrooms as much as living rooms and dining rooms. The latest in bathroom lighting is the integrated LED lighted mirror. I love them! I use them in every bathroom and powder room. They instantly upgrade the look and the usability of your bathroom.
My wish for you, what I always wish for you; Live Well!
Dann
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