Bathroom renovation project either fills you with thoughts of clean, gleaming white surfaces or a half-assembled disaster. And at some point in every project, maybe both images are true. In any case, the best way to prevent disasters is to think through the project carefully before you break ground (or break tile). Asking yourself some key planning questions will help you define the scope of your project so you know what to expect before you get started. Below is an overview of how to plan your bathroom renovation project.

Assess Bathroom Renovation Project Size

The first question to consider is more or less the big picture; that is, what size of project do you have in mind? Bathroom remodels can be grouped into three basic levels. Once you’ve settled on a general strategy, consider the timetable for the bathroom renovation project and decide if this is something you think you want to go through.

Surface Alterations

At the easy end of the scale, you may like the general layout and size of the bathroom, and the surfaces (walls, ceiling, floor) are sound. The mantra of the surface-level bathroom remodeler is “cover, not replace.” There is no shame at all in wanting to do a surface-level bathroom remodel.

Gut and Replace

With this level of remodelling, you keep the same layout and fixture locations of your old bathroom, but you pretty much gut the space down to the bare walls and floor and install all new plumbing fixtures, vanity, flooring, and lighting. You might also update the wiring somewhat, but nothing major.

Change the Layout

This level can be quite a bit more involved than a makeover or even a fixture replacement because it includes moving fixtures, like the tub/shower, the toilet, or the sink. Layout changes also usually include wiring alterations and full fixture replacement.

Change the Room

Altering the bathroom footprint goes beyond gutting the space or even moving fixtures around. The largest-scale remodels include structural changes, such as moving or removing walls, bumping out an exterior wall, or altering the ceiling or roof. Usually, the goal is to make the bathroom bigger or to convert a common bathroom into a master bath.

Cost Estimate

Bathroom renovations costs vary widely, but it is always expensive. A simple makeover of the surfaces and accessories can easily cost several thousand dollars, while a typical mid-level remodel with full fixture replacement can cost more. Even though most bathrooms are small, the high cost comes from the intensive amount of sub-contracting you may have to do (i.e., plumbers and electricians) and the expensive elements involved (fixtures, cabinetry, etc.). Of the many financial tools for funding a bathroom renovation, perhaps the most common is a home equity loan. While looking at financing, you may wish to also think about ways to save on your bathroom renovation costs.

If you decide to hire a contractor, one of the first things you’ll want to do is make sure the contractor is properly licensed. Licensure is not a mark of quality workmanship, though. It just means that the license holder has fulfilled the basic minimum requirements of the licensing agency. You’ll also want to be aware of permit requirements for electrical, plumbing, and general construction work. It’s a good idea to apply for permits early to avoid delays.

 

More often than not, there are instances when a bathroom renovation is absolutely necessary even if you think otherwise. There are certain signs that if neglected could seriously incur damages in your bathroom or worst your home. Below are the telltale signs indicating that your need to renovate your bathroom.

Unsafe Bathroom Premises

If you have started to notice that your bathroom has become unsafe or is just in poor condition in a few areas, a renovation can be vital to protecting yourself and your family. Have you noticed a mould problem, or loose floor tiles? Has the grout started to flake out from between the tiles? A bathroom renovation does not only make the room look more attractive again, it can be essential in making it a safe place. While you can choose to renovate the part of the room that you need to, you may even find that by spending a little bit more you can get a whole new bathroom.

Bathroom Fails to Meet Family Needs

If your children are growing up, or there’s a baby on the way, you may be starting to wonder what you’re going to do about the bathroom situation in your home. This may be the time to renovate your existing bathroom, or to add on a whole new one. Families with children may find they want a bigger tub to make bath time more fun, whilst families with teenagers may want to renovate the shower.

Outdated Bathroom Premises

If you have had the same bathroom since the 70’s or 80’s, chances are it’s starting to look pretty outdated and a bathroom renovation may be able to give the whole room a breath of new life. Even if there is nothing wrong with the fixtures or the functionality of the room itself, a bathroom renovation to update the whole room could still be considered. Even just a partial renovation could give the space a fresher look that visitors are bound to comment on.

Unsatisfactory Visual Appeal

If you walk into your bathroom in the morning and just groan, this is a very good sign that a renovation may be what you need. There may be just one thing, like that ugly old bathtub, that makes you dislike the way the room looks and the good thing about a bathroom renovation is that you can change as much or as little as you like.

Property Resale

If you have recently decided to sell up and move, a bathroom renovation could give your home just the extra edge it needs to increase its overall value. This is only something that should be considered if your current bathroom is poorly designed, outdated, or has been previously only half renovated.

These are just some of the most common signs that you may need a bathroom renovation, but there are plenty more. Remember, if you are questioning whether you need a bathroom renovation or not, your probably do.

Know more about bathroom renovation from New Life Bathrooms. We are fully-licensed bathroom renovation experts that only use top quality trades to complete your new bathrooms. All materials used in the manufacture of our bathrooms will be of premier quality and with approved building standards, and all carry an individual manufacturer’s guarantee.

 

Bathroom renovations are always deemed as expensive and time-consuming. However, times are changing and such refurbishments can be done without breaking the bank. Here are some small bathroom renovation budget-friendly ideas.

Tile Limiting

Tile gets expensive, especially when you hire a contractor to lay it all out for you. To save money, limit the amount of tile and focus on high-impact areas like the floor instead of the shower stall walls. Alternatively, you could tile one horizontal strip along the wall and paint the rest. However, if you’ve got your heart set on tile that’s artistic and expensive, use it as an accent alongside a cheaper tile. Not only will the artistic tiles be more noticeable, but you’ll save a ton of money by only using a few here and there.

Get Creative on Countertops

A popular trend is to splurge on granite countertops. Because the bathroom counter is so small, the investment is often fairly low compared to what you’d spend on kitchen counters, for example. You can definitely save money on following a few budget friendly tips. First, look at the colour. Neutral colours like tan, brown, and light beige are more popular, which means they’re more expensive. To save money, consider and price out a wider swath of colours.

Try Dresser Sinks

The trend is using old dressers as sink pedestals. You simply cut out the top of the dresser to accommodate a sink insert, cut into or remove interior drawers as necessary, and cut holes in the back for plumbing. These “dresser sinks” can sell for thousands of dollars in retail stores, but you can easily make your own with a budget dresser, some patience, and the right tools.

Repaint

If you don’t have a lot to spend, then repainting will be the cheapest and, perhaps, the most effective way to give your bathroom a new look. It’s going to take more time than you think. Your bathroom may be the smallest room in the house, but you’re going to have to paint slowly and gently around the window, the tub or shower, the sink, the mirror, the toilet, the switch plates, the wall corners, and the floor. This takes time and patience and a good supply of painter’s tape, so make sure you keep this in mind when planning your renovation.

Another thing to consider is the moisture. Since mould and mildew develop easily in a bathroom, and humidity and temperature change often, it’s a good idea to invest in high quality paint with a satin finish. You may also want to go over the ceiling with a special bathroom paint that helps resist the growth of mould.

Update Fixtures

You can update light fixtures, sink faucets, towel racks, and drawer pulls for a relatively small investment. These items may seem insignificant, but updating them can make a big difference in your bathroom’s look. The items may be out of your price range but you can find ways to replicate the look for less.

Sustainable Upgrades

When updating your bathroom, don’t forget to redesign with the environment in mind. Low-flow toilets, sinks, and shower heads will not only help you conserve water, but they’ll also save you money. Plus, water-saving shower heads and faucets often cost the same, if not less, than traditional ones. So you won’t have to spend money to save money here.

For more information on small and budget-friendly bathroom renovations, contact New Life Bathrooms. We are fully-licensed bathroom renovation experts that only use top quality trades to complete your new bathrooms. All materials used in the manufacturing of our bathrooms will be of premier quality and with approved building standards, and all carry an individual manufacturer’s guarantee.

Incorporating a vintage look in the interiors is becoming increasingly popular as more and more homeowners prefer a classic and timeless ambiance in their household. Some people choose to create a vintage look in their bathroom designs. Below are ways you can do so.

Elegant Lighting

Nothing screams vintage more than an over-the-top lighting fixture. A chandelier in a bathroom design might seem extremely excessive to some, but it is commonly installed in a vintage bathroom. A gemstone or jewellery addition will add drama and elegance to the fixture. However, an elegant lighting in a bathroom design doesn’t have to break the bank, since you can utilise fake ones as long as they’re shiny and classy-looking.

Exposed Showerhead and Piping

Although an exposed showerhead and piping may appear industrial to some, it could also give off a vintage look with the right coordination among other bathroom details. For instance, you could incorporate an exposed showerhead and piping as long as you complement it with a brass shower curtain rod and white brick walling. Aside from that, shiny silver, gold, and even bronze fixtures will make your bathroom look like it belongs in the Victorian era. These themes give off the illusion of wealth and royalty. Avoid faucet fixture shapes that are more modern and sharp and go with rounded and long fixtures for that extra regal look.

Wooden Cabinets

Deep, dark, and rich coloured wood for the cabinets and mirror frame will contrast beautifully with your shining plumbing fixtures and really push the vintage and antique look for your bathroom. For extra antique points, get cabinets with some detailing and intricacy in the finish and top it off with unusual and ornamental knobs and handles.

Vintage Tile Designs

There are different tile designs that exude a vintage vibe for your bathroom design. Some of them are subway and hex. Subways, from the name itself, appear similar to the tiles in subway stations. Colours range from dark to light grey or gout for a low-maintenance appeal. Hex, on the other hand, can give an additional detail to your bathroom design. You could also make use of a penny tile since they give a similar appeal either in your flooring or wall detail.

Intricately-Monogrammed Towels or Curtains

Towels and curtains that are designed with calligraphy letters definitely give off a vintage appeal. Intricately-monogrammed towels or curtains can make your bathroom look like a place for a royalty. This is an example of an inexpensive bathroom detail with a priceless finish.

For a vintage look in your bathroom design, you must consult New Life Bathrooms. We are experts in custom designing bathrooms with utmost consideration to your vision and preferences.

Planning for a bathroom renovation is something that doesn’t just take a lot of time but also requires a lot of money to spend. So, when your bathroom is in a really bad shape and really needs to be renovated, how would you do it? First and foremost, don’t tackle this task by yourself because most often than not, opting for a DIY bathroom renovation will cost you more money. This is because of the fact that your skills may not be enough in handling huge tasks such as this. You’ll of course need to start on finding the right bathroom renovator that can help you achieve the perfect bathroom of your dreams without exceeding your budget. Now, this is already one good reason why New Life Bathrooms is the perfect choice for you.

Here at New Life Bathrooms, we work within your budget and we will provide you with different options to help you create a beautiful and functional bathroom that will fit your lifestyle. We can also provide you with a few budget-friendly bathroom renovation tips that can help ease away huge expenses.

Set Limits on Bathroom Tiles

When choosing tiles, focus first on high-impact areas such as your bathroom floor. Bathroom walls can be done using cheaper tiles and if you have your heart set on expensive design tiles, then these tiles can be used as a single layer accent or be placed randomly on some parts where they can serve as small highlights. You can also tile one horizontal strip along your bathroom wall and simply paint the rest. These are tiling options that will allow you to save more money and at the same time keep your bathroom design updated.

Upcycle Old Materials

Sometimes old does not mean ugly, and there are a lot of materials available inside your own home that can be upcycled and repurposed. For example, an old dresser can be reused as a sink pedestal, and mason jars as soap dispensers. There are a lot of useful things that can also be upcycled for decoration purposes and all you need is imagination and creativity.

Save on Counter Tops

If you intend to purchase granite countertops for your bathroom vanity, then it would be more practical to buy granite slabs with slight imperfections so if the imperfection is located where the sink or faucets will be then you won’t see it anyway.Imperfect granite slabs are typically sold at a cheaper rate. Also, consider and price out a wider swath of colours apart from the expensive ones. Just make sure that it will also match your bathroom colour and theme.

Upgrade Fixtures

Small details matter and upgrading fixtures such as your lighting, sink faucets, drawer pulls, tissue holders, and towel racks will make a huge difference to the looks of your bathroom. These are minimal investments; however, if you still don’t have a lot of budget for these, you can always find cheaper ones that are slightly used but still good or find a good supplier that sells for a cheaper price.

Use Paint

Repainting your bathroom can be a cheaper alternative however, it may take longer since there are a lot of nooks and crannies, and small details that you need to pay attention to. Likewise, using cheap paint can be damaged quite easily because of exposure to moisture. It would be wise to use a high quality kind of paint with satin finish and something that would work to keep moisture out.

When you consult our experts at New Life Bathrooms serving the Southern Highlands and South West Sydney as well as Sydney’s Upper North Shore, you will receive top quality advice, bathroom designs and guidance in installing and finalising your new bath designs and décor according to your budget.