Smart Approach to Design: Bathrooms, Revised and Updated 3rd Edition E-Book

Editors of Creative Homeowner

• Herausgeber: Creative Homeowner
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Seitenzahl: 156

Beschreibung

Design the bathroom you've always wanted without making mistakes that cost money or leave you less than thrilled with the result. Explaining everything DIYers and homeowners need to know -- from budgeting, hiring contractors, and designing the space to selecting cabinetry and hardware, shopping for fixtures, and choosing appropriate countertop, flooring, windows, and other materials -- this must-have resource will also show you how to bring all of these elements together cohesively with style. Newly updated with the latest renovation and design trends, products, and technology, plus space-saving ideas and so much more, this new edition offers a smart approach to bathroom design that will help you achieve the bathroom you've always imagined.

Leseprobe

Copyright © 2011, 2018, 2023

This book may not be reproduced, either in part or in its entirety, in any form, by any means, without written permission from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts for purposes of radio, television, or published review. All rights, including the right of translation, are reserved. Note: Be sure to familiarize yourself with manufacturer’s instructions for tools, equipment, and materials before beginning a project. Although all possible measures have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the material presented, neither the author nor the publisher is liable in case of misinterpretation of directions, misapplication, or typographical error.

Creative Homeowner® and The Smart Approach to Design® are registered trademarks of New Design Originals Corporation.

The Smart Approach to Design: Bathrooms

Print ISBN 978-1-58011-573-5

ISBN 978-1-63741-287-9

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Creative Homeowner Press.

Title: The smart approach to design bathrooms.

Other titles: Bathrooms

Description: Updated edition. | [Mount Joy, PA] : Creative Homeowner, [2023]

| Previous editions published 2011 and 2018. | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018000103 | ISBN 9781580118040

Subjects: LCSH: Bathrooms--Remodeling. | Bathrooms--Design and construction.

Classification: LCC TH4816.3.B37 S625 2018 | DDC 690/.42--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018000103

We are always looking for talented authors. To submit an idea, please send a brief inquiry to [email protected].

Creative Homeowner® is an imprint of New Design Originals Corporation and distributed exclusively in North America by Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc., 800-457-9112, 903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The editors wish to thank designers Mallory Lunke and Plural Design Studio; Mel Bean Interiors; Mary Patton Design; the team at Golden Rule Builders; Helene Goodman, IIDA; Susan Obercian, of European Country Kitchens; and Lucianna Samu for their contributions to this book.

We would also like to acknowledge the helpful information provided by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, and the resources provided by representatives of the numerous brands who contributed to this book.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

THINKING AHEAD

•Assessing Your Needs

•Making a (Wish) List and Checking It Twice

•Plan to Save

•Top 10 Planning Points

•Seeking Help!

•The Write Stuff

•What Else?

•Insurance and Permits

CHAPTER 2

SPACE PLANNING

•Lay It Out

•Top 10 Best Uses of Space

•Designing a Primary Bath

•Planning Shared Spaces

•Partial Baths

•Planning for Guests

•Top 10 Half Bath Tips

•Basement, Attic, and Closet Baths

CHAPTER 3

OUTFITTING YOUR BATH

•Bath Fixtures

•Top 10 Fixture Amenities

•Soaking in Style

•Tub Faucets and Fillers

•Praiseworthy Showers

•Showerheads and Sprays

•Superb Sinks

•Lav Faucets

•Efficient Toilets

CHAPTER 4

SURFACES

•It’s a Cover Story

•Top 10 Surface Trends

•Wonderful Walls

•Fabulous Flooring

•Chic Countertops

•Tub and Shower Surrounds

CHAPTER 5

VANITIES AND STORAGE

•Practical and Stylish

•Vanities

•Medicine Cabinets

•Top 10 Storage Ideas That Aren’t Cabinetry

•Bathroom Furniture

•Linens and Things

CHAPTER 6

LIGHT AND AIR

•Natural Light

•Artificial Light

•Illuminating Ideas

•Top 10 Ways to Maximize Lighting

•Attractive Fixtures

•Lighting Tubs and Showers

•Clear the Air

•Ventilation Systems

•Keeping It Toasty

CHAPTER 7

ADDING STYLE

•A Chic Retreat

•Top 10 Places to Add Style

•Traditional Looks

•Trendy Transitional

•Feeling Nostalgic

•In a Modern Mood

•Natural Beauty

RESOURCE GUIDE

GLOSSARY

INDEX

PHOTO CREDITS

INTRODUCTION

Every room in your home has the potential to showcase your personal style, and your bathroom is no exception. Nowadays, bathrooms combine function with style, incorporating materials, surfaces, and textures that used to be confined to other areas of the home. In addition, there are many functional elements that bathrooms contain, including fixtures, fittings, cabinets, lighting, and ventilation systems.

The many options in fixtures, materials, and finishes that are available today allow you to create your own style in the bath.

The Smart Approach to Design: Bathrooms will

• explain all of these components,

• explain the features that will fit in best with your lifestyle and needs, and

• highlight stylish features you can make your own.

Want a modern sink, a Euro-style bathtub, or traditional fixtures? How about marble countertops, tile floors, or mirrored accents on the walls? Go for it—any style can be incorporated into your home to create a bathroom you will love for both the way it functions and its good looks.

Bathroom decor may run the gamut from ultra modern to classic, such as old world

A combination of contemporary and nostalgic styles.

CHAPTER 1

THINKING AHEAD

It can be a good idea to remodel or add another bathroom, even in a tough economy. An updated design or a second bath will increase the value and livability of your house. The most important thing you can do prior to the start of your project is to prepare. Know what you need, what you’d love to have, and how you’re going to pay for it. And find the best people to get the job done right. This is one of those remodeling projects that you’ll never regret!

Thinking about adding a bath or remodeling an old one? Plan ahead to make the most of your time, money, and space.

Assessing Your Needs

At the outset, make a list of what you would like your new bathroom to be and how you need it to function. Will it be your at-home spa? A shared bath for the family? Simply a practical extra bath? The type of bathroom—and who will use it—may determine its size and will certainly affect the products you select to finish it.

If you’re remodeling an existing bath, it’s good to make a list of what you don’t like about it and what you hope to change. Is there enough storage? Is the lighting around the vanity or lav suitable for grooming? Are the fixtures functioning efficiently? Is the ventilation adequate?

Maybe you’d like to replace your one-piece tub and shower with an extra-deep soaker and a walk-in rain shower. Perhaps the materials—tiles, vanity countertop, faucets, light fixtures, and so forth—should be updated.

Take safety measures into account in your analysis. Are there enough ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)? These receptacles should be installed in wet areas, such as bathrooms, because they can sense an imbalance in the electrical circuit and cut the current in a fraction of a second. Unlike GFCIs, ordinary receptacles cannot protect you against the full force of an electrical shock.

Other safety concerns about an older bath can be the condition of the floor tiles—are they cracked or slippery? How old are the faucets? Are they equipped with anti-scalding mechanisms?

Don’t forget to take ergonomics into account, especially if older family members will use the room. Are the valves easy to open and close? Is it easy or difficult to enter the tub or shower? Are there grab bars?

You can still live large in a modest size bath. Here, a mirrored wall visually enlarges the room and counterbalances the visual weight of the large, dark vanity.

Sliding screens reveal storage and a dressing room in an adjacent space.

Overall, a neutral color scheme is calm and timeless.

Q & A

Can I replace a bathtub and small shower in my primary bath with just a large walk-in shower? I heard that this was a no-no.

what the experts say

Real estate and remodeling experts both say that a house without a bathtub will lower the resale value. Most people with young children who are buying a house want at least one bathtub. However, you’re talking about the primary bath, and assuming there is another bathroom with a tub in your house, you’re probably safe with just a shower, especially if it’s large and has desirable spa features.

what real people do

Many people are forgoing a bathtub to make space for a large walk-in shower, especially when they are planning to stay in their house for at least five years. All the experts would agree that, in this case, the most important thing you can do is make your bath what you want it to be. For people who rarely, if ever, use the tub, a great shower makes a lot of sense.

In fact, when you put your house on the market, depending on who is buying, a glamorous custom shower for two with multiple showerheads and sprayers, steam, and other luxe features may even seal the deal.

A spa shower has some serious benefits, but a generous soaking tub may be more your speed. Looking for a style upgrade? Splurge on an elegant floor tile or sleek, trendy fixtures. It’s your money, spend it on your priorities

Making a (Wish) List and Checking It Twice

Go ahead and make your wish list as long as you like. Remember: you’re only wishing at this stage, so the sky’s the limit. This is a good time to visit bath design showrooms and home centers and to jot down ideas that you may have seen online or on TV. When it’s available, note the cost.

Go over your list, making sure that what you’ve got on it is both practical and affordable for your circumstances. Be sure to consider your lifestyle: a gorgeous, jetted tub may be some people’s idea of luxe bathing. But if you’re strictly a shower person, don’t be afraid to forgo the tub and build a fabulous shower in its place.

When you come up with a close-to-perfect plan, look for areas to trim expenses in case your budget were to become an issue. Decide what you really can’t live without. Then, determine areas where you can substitute or make compromises. For example, rather than selecting real stone, choose a ceramic tile that looks like stone, but is more affordable.

it’s in theDETAILS

The simplicity of its style belies the exacting execution of all the features that make this primary bath so perfectly pampering.

A heated towel rack is conveniently located on the wall above the tub. The location of the property allows the windows to remain uncovered.

The room also features a pair of vanities. Although only one is pictured here, they are identical.

A frameless glass shower enclosure keeps the elegant Carrara marble subway tiles on view. A rain shower and a handheld sprayer offer versatility. For more indulgence, there is a large soaking tub in the room as well.

Plan to Save

Once you decide to remodel or add another bath to your house, you’ll have to do some important research and planning. Becoming informed and knowing exactly what you want, how much you can or are willing to spend, and who is going to do the work will help you avoid some of the pitfalls that can cost you time and money.

Few people actually enjoy crunching numbers. However, establishing a budget is the only way to determine the size and scope of the project you can afford to design. It’s disappointing to plan a luxurious bath, complete with spa features, only to find that you can barely afford a rain shower and a heated towel bar. Set priorities.

When you’re looking at financing options, try to avoid paying cash. If it comes down to a choice between paying cash for remodeling or for buying a new car, always go the cash route for the car and finance the remodeling. You can deduct the interest of the home improvement loan from your taxes; you can’t deduct the interest on a car loan. Unfortunately, many homeowners will gladly put money up front for a remodeling project and finance the car. It doesn’t make sense.

It also doesn’t make sense to set aside money or sign a loan for thousands of dollars without getting a handle on where that money is going. How much time would you spend investigating new cars before buying? You would probably read performance reports on various makes and models, then test drive several vehicles before finally making a purchase. Approach a home improvement loan the same way. Take the time to investigate your financing options and all of the products and services for which you will be paying.

And don’t forget: when seeking estimates, comparison shop for contractors. Use the plans and specifications for your new bathroom to get equivalent bids. If you can’t draw them yourself, pay an architect or designer to do it.

TOP 10Planning Points

Going into the project with a clear, detailed picture will help a big project run smoothly.

1. Set realistic goals by considering both your space and budget. Get pricing for products, as well as labor. What are the costs? What’s your budget? How long would you need to save to get the space you want?

2. Research products to get yourself familiar with what’s available today. Walking through home design centers or flipping through product lookbooks and catalogs can help tremendously.

2 RESEARCH PRODUCTS

3. Think green and identify ways to incorporate Earth-friendly products, such as water-conserving fixtures and sustainably or locally sourced materials. Reuse what you can, like painting an old vanity for new life.

3 THINK GREEN

4. Interview several professionals to find someone you’ll feel comfortable and confident working with—whether that’s a designer, architect, or contractor. Check their references and standing with the Better Business Bureau.

5. Assess your skills if you’re considering doing some of the work yourself. Be honest. Can you really do it? Will the project be up to code?

6. Expect the unexpected. Be ready for project delays or budget increases due to labor, supply chain, or availability issues.

7. Make arrangements if the only bathroom in your house will be out of commission for a while during a renovation.

8. Obtain permits. Never let anyone tell you to skip this step. Permits and building codes exist for a reason—your safety. Ignoring them may cost you, not only financially, but personally, as well.

9. Plan for accessibility by including universal design principles and meeting ADA standards. These ideas are about creating spaces that are safe and usable for everyone, regardless of age or ability. Sometimes this is discussed as “aging in place.”

9 PLAN FOR ACCESSIBILITY

10. Look beyond the layout for opportunities to build the bath of your dreams. Maybe a hallway linen closet can be used to house a steam generator, or a bedroom wall will come down for the ultimate primary suite.

A spacious floor plan that accommodates a double vanity, a large walk-in shower, and a separate soaking tub may require additional space. Expanding an existing home is a large and costly project. Most people will obtain a home improvement loan to get the job done. Interest on such loans is usually tax deductible, but consult your accountant.

FINANCING

Any bank or lending institution will tell you how much you can afford to spend on your home remodeling project. But if you feel more comfortable running a test on your own, here is a quick and simple overview of how banks figure out what you can spend.

If the last line is negative, you may have to scale back your plans or do the work yourself on a very tight budget. A negative number means that you won’t be receiving funds from a lender. However, you can check out other funding options. For example, a consolidation loan will allow you to incorporate your current debts into your home improvement loan. Firstly, this will lower the monthly cost of your current debts. Secondly, this loan allows you to deduct the interest from your taxes, something that you can’t do on other forms of debt.

If your credit score is good, you can find a variety of other forms of financing as well. You could take out a loan against investments, borrow against your credit card, or the perennial favorite: obtain a private loan from a family member.

Seeking Help!

Ask friends and neighbors to recommend professionals in your area. You can also check online or in the local paper. Whenever you hire people to work in your home, first take the time to research them carefully. Your home is likely your largest single asset. Don’t take chances with it unnecessarily. Interview professionals and follow up on their references. Ask tough questions. Call state agencies and trade associations to check credentials, and always work with licensed contractors.

Also remember, the people you hire to work on the project are in your home. You have every right to tell them not to smoke, play music, curse, or eat inside. You can even tell them how and where to store tools and materials around your home. Be reasonable, but make a set of rules before work begins, and ask your contractor to enforce them. You could include this in your contract, which gives you legal grounds for making your demands. However, in most cases, a reputable contractor will make sure that workers are respectful of your wishes.

Assess your confidence in what projects you can do yourself. Perhaps you feel confident wallpapering and changing faucets or showerheads, but tiling or changing a light fixture isn’t your thing. Find design and building professionals you can work with to make the project complete.

Which brings us to the next question: should you do any of the job yourself? That depends on two things—your skills and whether or not a licensed professional is required by law. Take the quiz on the opposite page to see whether you’ve got what it takes; regarding the latter, check with your building department.

SHOULD YOU DO IT YOURSELF?

Before you make the decision to tackle a bath remodeling project on your own, take a few minutes to answer the following questions. This exercise will help you determine whether or not you have the necessary skills and abilities. Make sure to be honest with yourself.

YES

NO

Do you enjoy physical work?

YES

NO

Are you persistent and patient? (Do you have reliable work habits? Once the project is started, will it get finished?)

YES

NO

Do you have all the tools needed and, more importantly, the skills required to do the job?

YES

NO

Are your skills at the level of quality you need for this project?

YES

NO

Do you have time to complete the project? (Always double or triple the time estimated for a DIY project, unless you are highly skilled and familiar with that type of project.)

YES

NO

Will it matter if the project remains unfinished for a period of time?

YES

NO

Are you prepared to handle the kind of stress this project will create in your family relationships?

YES

NO

Have you done all of the steps involved in the project before?

YES

NO

Have you obtained the installation instructions from the manufacturers of the various products and fixtures to determine whether this is a project you still want to undertake? (You can obtain them from most manufacturers before purchase to determine the steps involved in installation and the skill level required.)

YES

NO