| It's probably one of the most utilitarian rooms in the house. But for many, a bathroom is a personal escape - a place to relax, unwind and forget about the worries of the day. Dingy, dark and moldy bathrooms, however, create an atmosphere that's unwelcoming and even a little depressing. To battle the bathroom blues, many undertake remodeling projects, starting with the shower stall. Before diving into a shower remodel, it's a good idea to prepare and plan. Do a little daydreaming, if possible, about how you'd like the bathroom to look and what kind of tone you'd like to create. A bathroom should serve its stated purposes and serve them well, but it can also be a welcomed retreat. Things to consider before running out and buying new tile include: * Who will do the work? Do you intend to do it all yourself? Will you hire a contractor instead? A bathroom remodel can be a fun job, but keep in mind, it's a big one, or can be. If the intent is to totally redo the room, fixtures and all, make sure you have the time, skills and wherewithal to stick with it. * What you want to achieve. Do you simply want to improve on what's already there by maybe changing tile color or go for a total do over? * Colors, themes. Just like any other room in the house, a well-designed bathroom needs a color scheme. If you can't decide on a single one, go with a family of related colors and have fun. Color choice is very important to decide before going for the "bricks and mortar" kind of stuff though. Whether you do it yourself or hire a contractor, a vision for the room is important. * Budget. This is vital on a do it yourself job or a contractor hire. Make sure to set a limit in advance and make decisions to help stay within that limit. This might mean getting the shower/tub stall of your dreams, but backing off from granite counters - for now. Try to make sure what you invest in though is quality and you can live with it. As you move forward with plans to rework the bathroom, the shower stall itself should involve some serious consideration. Do you want a simple shower or one that combines a garden tub with a shower option? Space, budget and style will all come into play here. Be realistic about your needs, financing and wants. Remember, the bathroom is an often overlooked, but very important room in a home. A bathroom that's warm, inviting and well designed can provide the perfect private place to relax after a long day. From a soothing soak in a warm tub to a long, hot shower, the options for relaxing are fantastic. But, if the shower stall and bathroom environment are dark and dank, the chances for relaxation are slim. A good remodel can be involved or simple. Sometimes all it takes is a fresh coat of paint on the walls and a new showerhead for the stall. |
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