It’s officially Autumn. That means Pumpkin Spice Lattes, falling leaves, and… holiday decorations? Stores across the country (not to mention online shops) have pulled out the holiday displays and are shamelessly promoting Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah products. Can we slow down just a bit and just enjoy the cooling temps and change of seasons already?
The last few holiday seasons may have lacked some excitement (thanks, COVID), so if this is your year to take back the reins and go all out hosting Friendsgiving, planning a holiday party, or inviting out of town relatives to stay with you, you’ll likely have a house full of guests for the last few weeks of the year. And that means you’ll need to start planning sooner rather than later.
Remember last year when you desperately wanted to remodel your bathroom but by the time you started thinking about it for real, your in-laws were on the doorstep, and you’d already stretched your bank account too thin buying extravagant gifts?
Start planning now, and you might just have a beautiful, remodeled bathroom to show off to your guests. If it sounds too good to be true, you’re going about it the wrong way. With your sanity in mind, we’ve put together seven steps that will help you plan a smooth, headache-free bathroom remodel just in time for the celebrations. Happy Holidays to you!
Step 1
Take a look at your existing bathroom with a critical eye. Is it truly an eye sore or is it just not working as hard as it could be for you and your family?
Step 2
Try to pinpoint the real issues. Is it a lack of storage space for your growing family? Cracked tiles and leaky pipes behind the scenes that need fixing? A big tub that serves as a dirty laundry holder because no one’s used it in years? Mold and mildew-edged shower walls that just won’t come clean? Divide a sheet of paper into two columns. On the left side, make a list of all the issues with your current bathroom.
Step 3
Now that you’ve identified the problems, think about what you really want. Check out sites like Pinterest and Instagram, page through home décor magazines, and visit our Bathroom Design Gallery for inspiration. On the right side of that piece of paper, write your wish list – everything your dream bathroom includes.
Step 4
Now try to match each item on the left with an item on the right. Anything on your wish list that doesn’t really serve a purpose? Cross it out. Any items on the right side not addressed by your wish list? Start your online search here for solutions and jot down a few promising ideas. This exercise will help you consider everything you might need to design a bathroom that’s as functional as it is beautiful.
Step 5
Be realistic. Make sure you can identify what it is you love about the bathroom remodels that you pick out. If it’s their massive square footage and 18’ ceilings, but your bathroom is 5×8 with 10’ ceilings, you’ll need to reel in your dreams a bit. But if it’s the natural light, ample storage, and tall vanity you admire, you’re on the right track.
Step 6
Understand your budget. Nothing will put a damper on your holiday mood like being in debt or not having enough cash for Santa to make his all-important visit. The average mid-range bathroom remodel costs about $27k, according to the2022 Cost vs. Value Report. You can spend much less than that, or even more, depending on the size of your space, the products and fixtures you choose, and the extent of your project. Look for a company that can offer you a guaranteed price and flexible financing options to make the payment process a little easier – on your wallet as well as your mind.
Step 7
If it’s the guest bath you want to remodel, think about what would work best for you throughout the year – not just on those few occasions when Grandma comes to visit. If you routinely host your high school bestie and her husband, who’s in a wheelchair, you might want to consider thoughtful upgrades that can be appreciated by those with limited mobility. Perhaps a motion sensing faucet or light switches that sit lower on the wall for easy reaching would come in handy. If your parents and grandparents are your most frequent visitors, grab bars and slip-resistant flooring might be smart considerations. And when it’s not being used by guests, be sure it’s functional for everyone living in your home.
Make this the year you stop dreaming and start doing! When your bathroom remodel is complete, you can cross one big item off your “to do” list, sit back and enjoy the season – sans stress and scrambling to get everything finished – before the guests arrive.
From simple tub and shower updates to complete bathroom remodels, Re-Bath’s exclusive three-step process handles every detail from start to stunning. Schedule a free, in-home design consultation today and discover how you can give yourself the holiday gift of a beautiful, functional new bathroom!