5 Bathroom Renovation Questions

There are so many decisions to be made when remodeling a bathroom that it can feel overwhelming. Take a deep breath and relax. A good designer can walk you through options like tile, plumbing fixtures, countertop materials, lighting, cabinetry and more. But these 5 bathroom renovation questions will get you started on the decision-making process.

1. Tub, Shower or Both?

At the top of the 5 bathroom renovation questions is tub-shower combo, shower only, or separate tub and shower? Many homeowners with modest-size bathrooms are opting to take out a tub-shower combo in order to have a larger shower stall. Others opt for a better tub that’s still a part of the combo. And some want a separate tub and shower. Think about what your bathing must-haves will be.

In this beautiful bathroom, our clients had plenty of space for both a shower and a separate free-standing bathtub. But the average bathroom does not have the luxury of so much square footage.

In this midcentury modern primary bathroom, space was tight. Our client wanted to fit both a shower and a freestanding tub. As bathrooms in that style of architecture tended to be compact, we found a way to borrow some space from an adjacent closet to make room for the tub.

At the other end of the room we added a separate shower. This one has a zero-threshold shower entrance for ease of entry.

See more of this midcentury modern bathroom renovation

Another option in a smaller bathroom is to embrace a partial wet room layout. This means placing the shower and tub within one enclosure to save space.

2. Do I Want To Age In Place In This Home?

This is one of the top 5 bathroom renovation questions because it involves your future. You may be spry now, but if this is your forever home, you should consider adding aging-in-place elements added while you’re renovating your bathroom now so that you don’t have to redo it later.

One of the most important elements for aging in place is safety railing(s) in the shower stall. In fact, these are great to have when older friends or relatives visit, or if something like an ankle or knee injury happens. If you aren’t quite ready for railings, we can add supports in the wall so that they can be added in the future.

A support bar by the toilet is also helpful for aid when sitting down and getting up. Other aging-in-place additions here include a zero-threshold shower and pulls on the vanity that are easier for arthritic hands to open. Also consider a shower opening large enough for a walker or wheelchair, a shower bench (built-in or portable) and a handheld shower wand. Ample lighting is also important for aging in place.

Learn more about this bathroom designed for aging in place

3. What Are My Storage Needs?

Storage is one of the most important aspects of planning a bathroom. That’s why it’s a crucial part of the 5 bathroom renovation questions you should ask yourself. Take an inventory of everything you’d like stashed in the bathroom, and note where it’s most convenient for these things to be stored, such as toothbrushes near the sink.

Some things to consider:

Linen storage
Convenient makeup and other grooming product storage
Hair appliance inserts
Trash pull-out
Countertop storage for items like your electric toothbrush
Refrigerated storage for beverages, medicines, face rollers and products you like to keep cold
Shower items you’ll want to store
Bars and hooks for towels, washcloths, robes and shower caps

In this bathroom, the makeup table has a handy hair accessory pull-out that includes plugs and room for hot storage.

A countertop cabinet can keep all kinds of things handy and incorporate outlets for items like an electric shaver, electric toothbrush or hair dryer. The small drawer at the bottom is handy for everyday products.

When sharing a shower, make sure each person has ample space for their products. These niches each have a short lower shelf for soap and razors.

These custom cabinets have a handy bathroom scale pull-out. No more stubbed toes!

Also, notice how many drawers are incorporated into this cabinetry. Drawers along the bottom are large enough for towel storage.

Pull-outs installed behind cabinet doors make it easy to access items stashed in the back. No more digging around in the dark behind the P-trap!

This bathroom includes a gorgeous armoire for linen and overflow storage.

4. Where Do I Want To Put the Toilet?

Sometimes the toilet location is predetermined. It may already be in a smart spot, and not having to move it will definitely save you on the budget. However, If you have the space, a separate toilet room is a great option, especially in a shared bathroom. And by the way, the fancy way to say toilet room is “water closet,” otherwise known as “The W.C.”

A separate toilet room does not require a lot of space and is always a worthwhile addition. If it matters to you, it can also be good for resale value. We can talk to you about options for a space-saving pocket door, any extra storage or even windows for your W.C. In this case, it was all about revealing an unexpected surprise on the wallpaper.

5: What Are My Tech Options?

It seems tech options are changing faster than most homeowner can keep up with these days! And there are plenty of new options in the bathroom.

Some tech upgrades to consider are:

A smart toilet with a built-in bidet (this is Kohler’s comfort-height Eir toilet)
A mirror with integrated LED lighting that with voice control. This bathroom integrates Amazon’s Alexa. AI integration can control the lights via voice control as well as play music, check the weather, control other smart home devices and more.
Built-in microphone and speakers, as well as integrated technology that doesn’t clutter up the countertop with a device
Controls outside the shower
Heated flooring
Smart sense faucets
A tub with a Hydro Fusion system. This noiselessly maintains the temperature of the water without having to add additional hot water.

We hope that running through these 5 bathroom renovation questions helped you start to get a good idea of what you need to get out of your bathroom remodel. When you’re ready to get started on the design-build process, please call us for a consultation.