Get Ready to Remodel a Bathroom Houston Chronicle

Written by Vanessa Vacek, Remodelers of Houston, published the Houston Chronicle, August 18th.

Is it time to remodel a bathroom in your home? Does it desperately need an update? Do you long for a larger, functional and relaxing space? Or if you plan on aging in place you may want accessibility, comfort and safety. Whatever your reasons are, all it takes is a plan.

A good bathroom layout will strive to have as much open space as possible and good flow no matter what the size of the room.  Consider the placement of fixtures, determine whether plumbing needs to be moved. If you are working with a large space, you may want a shower and separate free-standing tub. If space is an issue, it may be better to remove the tub and focus on creating a fabulous shower.

If your bathroom is on the smaller side, there are ways to make it appear larger. One way is with mirrors and sconces. Installing sconces on mirrors reflects light and brightens the room. Popular right now is streamlined tube lights that with a flip of a switch both provide task and soft ambient lighting.

Another way to open up any bathroom space is with a curb less shower with linear drain and frameless glass enclosure. This would also be useful for aging-in-place design. There are additional safety features that can be incorporated into your plan such as slip-resistant surfaces and attractive grab bars that can work as a hanger for towels.

With any bathroom remodeling plan, I think we’ll all agree that the toilet should not be the first thing you see when you are walking into the room.  Consider a modern wall mounted toilet which minimizes how far it protrudes into the room.  It can be tucked behind a vanity, half wall or in a larger bathroom in its own closet.

Something often requested by homeowners is the need for more storage.  Incorporating niches in showers, adding narrow counter to ceiling cabinets on vanities and adding open shelving are some useful solutions.

Barn doors and pocket doors are great space savers and provide improved accessibility especially for bathrooms. Add a frosted glass panel to your door for privacy and to let in some light.

So, if it’s time for that bathroom makeover, consult a professional remodeler to bring your home improvement dreams to life.