Bathroom Makeover Ideas

Bathrooms take a lot of use and abuse. In addition, bathroom features such as flooring, wall coverings and window treatments typically go out of style within just a few years. Consequently bathroom makeover projects are very common with homeowners. There are numerous bathroom makeover ideas that you can employ to transform your bathroom into a modern one. Some are rather expensive while others are very inexpensive. Summarized below is a list of key bathroom remodeling ideas that you may want to consider in your bathroom makeover project. Custom Ceramic Tiled Shower If you have a large bathroom that includes separate tub and shower areas you may want to consider replacing the old fiberglass shower stall with a custom ceramic tiled shower.

A custom ceramic tiled shower is an awesome way to upgrade your bathroom, however it does require quite a bit of work and is fairly expensive. At the root of every custom ceramic tiled shower is a mortar shower pan.

You can build your own mortar shower pan, as many Do-it-Yourself homeowners do, to save on costs. If you are interested in building your own mortar shower pan see my Ebook titled “Installation of Shower Pan Liner”. Also, if you need help on tiling a shower stall, see my Ebook on “How to Ceramic Tile a Shower”. Also consider the inclusion of a glass shower door if you plan on a custom ceramic tiled shower. This way you can enjoy the beauty of your ceramic tiled shower just as much from the outside of it.

In regards to the bathtub, you may want to consider replacing the old tub if it is damaged in anyway. Alternatively you could restore it or install a tub insert over it, if it is permanently stained. Replacing a tub or installing a tub insert over the existing tub is quite pricey, however it will hold up to the test of time. Refinishing an existing bathtub typically only lasts a few years. Tiling Bathroom Floor Another excellent bathroom makeover idea is to remove the old bathroom flooring and install a bathroom tiled floor.

If you decide on this bathroom makeover idea, make sure the subfloor is properly prepared for ceramic floor tile. Typically ¼” thick cement backerboard or exterior grade plywood is fastened over the existing subfloor. This step is critical for preventing any floor deflection. Any floor deflection could cause the ceramic floor tile to break or loosen up.

Also, when installing a ceramic tiled floor it is best to remove the existing bathroom vanity, toilet and baseboard trim. You will save time and achieve a better looking tile job.

Replace Bathroom Vanity, Countertop and Faucet

Bathroom vanities, countertops and faucets take a lot of abuse so consider the replacement of them as one of your top bathroom makeover ideas. Prices for bathroom vanities, countertops and faucets vary significantly. Off-the-shelf ones are readily available and the most affordable, whereas custom ones, as you can imagine, can be extremely expensive and have long lead times.

Refinish / Replace Bathroom Door and Baseboard Trim Baseboard trim is relatively inexpensive and easy to install. You will however, need a miter saw, coping saw, hammer and nail punch. There are many types of baseboard trim to choose from. I would suggest splurging a little with the baseboard trim and going with something a little more fancy, since most bathrooms are relatively small. If the bathroom door is looking dinged up and spotted from moisture damage, consider either replacing it or restoring it. If it is a solid door and is functioning well, it may be worth the investment to restore it, as replacing a bathroom door of this type can be pricey.

Bathroom Window Treatments

Another basic but extremely common bathroom makeover idea is to replace all of the bathroom window treatments. This includes the window curtains and shades. When considering bathroom window treatments consider solutions that will let in a lot of light, and also offer privacy.

Replace Bathroom Ceiling Fans Consider replacing your old bathroom ceiling fan light fixture. They frequently break down and often look out dated after just a few years. There are affordable and simple to install solutions that are much quieter today than the older bathroom ceiling fans of yesteryear. Replace Bathroom Mirror or Medicine Chest Another excellent bathroom remodeling idea is to replace the bathroom mirror or medicine chest.

Frequently bathroom mirrors show signs of aging via dark chip marks along their periphery. Likewise, bathroom medicine chests become worn out or dated. These are two great bathroom makeover candidates you should consider during your bathroom remodeling planning stage.

Replace Toilet Roll and Towel Rods

While planning your bathroom remodeling project also consider the replacement of the toilet roll and bathroom towel rods. You may want to select ones that will match the new hardware associated with your new bathroom vanity.

Update Bathroom Lighting

Bathrooms should be bright and cheery. To this end, consider updating your bathroom light fixtures. Consider multi lamp bathroom light fixtures that go above and/or to the side of your bathroom mirror or medicine chest.

Replace Old Toilet

I save this bathroom makeover idea for last. If you are happy with how your old toilet works and it is not damaged in anyway, think twice before replacing it. The new ones offer much lower gallons per flush cycles, which is excellent for the environment. This said, they often do not flush as well as their predecessors. Admittedly the latest low flush toilets do a better job than the earlier low flush toilet models, so you may get lucky. Just do your homework first prior to buying a new toilet.

With this list of bathroom makeover ideas you should now be able to develop your own unique set of bathroom remodeling plans that will ensure a beautiful and useful living space within your home.