Spring is a time of renewal, so you may see it as a great time to revamp the look and functionality of your bathroom. It’s an understandable impulse, and a potentially fruitful one, if you commit to the proper amount of planning and preparation. Part of that planning phase includes bucking the bath remodeling trends that, while popular, don’t directly enrich the comfort or value of your home.
If you need some assistance separating the trendy from the tangibly valuable, here are several bathroom renovations you should consider. Our suggestions range from simple cosmetic alterations to costlier, long-term modifications. Whatever your budget and aspirations warrant, make sure to avoid these (and other) bathroom remodeling trends that may not fully serve your overall vision.
Glossy Tile Floors
Everybody wants their bathroom to carry that modern shine, so many will invest in large glossy tiling or polished stone in search of that contemporary look. It’s important to remember, though, that a well-designed bathroom is one that promotes user safety. A slippery surface, or one with reduced grout lines and traction, could create more of a hazard than a haven. It’s also key to choose a non-porous material so you don’t have to worry about loosening tiles. That means it's probably best to take a hard pass on that rich wood flooring.
Installing an Oversized Tub
If you want a bathroom that offers a lot of relaxation, it stands to reason that you would want your space’s most relaxing fixture to be as big and spacious as possible. However, a bulky, obstructive tub will restrict your floor space, drive up your monthly water usage, and depending on the bathing preferences of your cohabitants, may not be utilized as much as you anticipate. If you’re still dead-set on going all-out with your bathtub, a walk-in tub installation may be the better bet because improving bathroom accessibility is always a surefire way to improve ROI and resale value.
The Monochrome Zone
Interior design isn’t for everyone. Those that lack a passion or aptitude for it may choose a monochromatic color scheme for their bathroom - not because they harbor a grudge against vibrant color schemes, but because they believe a monochromatic bathroom cuts down on design and maintenance needs, which isn’t entirely untrue; but if your first and only color choice is too bold or personalized, it can be an instant deal breaker for certain future buyers.
If you’re looking for an alternative that isn’t too effort-intensive, choose three tones of a relatively neutral color (e.g., gray, muted blue, white, etc.), then distribute those on a 60-30-10 scale, with the boldest tone used the most sparingly. This route doesn’t require a gift for color coordination, but it also is premeditated enough to provide personalized visual flair.
Making Your Toilet the Focal Point
Consider the paradox of the toilet: you can’t have a bathroom without one, but you also don’t want it to be the tone-setter for your space. As such, you want to avoid having your throne intersecting (or even worse, dominating) the eyeline of your visitors. Bathroom reconfiguration can be an expensive project, so we recommend either installing a small partition or using storage cabinets to serve as one. The segmentation of your bathroom will also give the sense that your space is layered and versatile, which is a huge benefit for those with smaller bathrooms.
Being Trendy Can Be Costly
Bathroom remodeling is often costly, time-intensive and resource-exhaustive, so chasing every new trend is a poor strategy unless you have an unlimited budget and a wide-open personal schedule. Instead of going out of your way to conform to what’s “in,” prioritize your bath remodeling projects based on which renovations give your space the biggest, most pronounced bump in safety, durability, functionality or visual appeal.
Comments(0)