Does your bathroom warrant a full-scale bathroom remodeling, or can you get by with a few strategic updates? This is a heavy decision that weighs on a several key factors. In the end, it really depends on what you are trying to achieve in accordance with your budget.
Bathroom Remodeling vs. Updates
Whether or not you should completely overhaul your bathroom, as opposed to making a couple of well-planned updates, rests on these considerations:
- Your overall housing goals
- The condition of your bathroom
- Your budget
Housing Goals
Are you trying to increase the value of your property? Does your bathroom not fit with the overarching theme of your home? These are both reasons to completely remodel a bathroom. Remodeling gives you the opportunity to change the structure and floor plan of your bathroom and often involves some heavy construction.
This is the choice to make if you need to entirely reinvent your bathroom. Doing so can increase the value of your property. Individuals who are not looking to sell their homes, but crave change, may benefit more from simply updating their bathroom without engaging in a complete remodel. Updates include:
- Purchasing a new toilet or vanity
- Adding cabinets
- Changing your shower or bath tile
- Replacing cabinet knobs with designer accents
- A new paint job
- Adding decorative items
However, if you find that your list of updates is getting longer and longer, it might be both time and cost effective to remodel. For example, if you are replacing your floor and bath tile, this type of job will involve removing your vanity and toilet for some time. With several key pieces out of the way and a moderate level of work to be done, it isn’t that much more complicated to simply replace both these units and maybe take a stab at changing more. This also gives you an opportunity to repaint and maybe even have some cabinetry done. In such a case, it really boils down to what you can afford and how long you are willing to endure in-home construction.
![Chicago Luxury Bathroom]()
The Condition of Your Bathroom
Bathrooms that are in serious need of repair deserve more than aesthetic updates. If you have severe plumbing issues, peeling paint, rust and mold, and cracked tiles, it’s time to start afresh. A sparkling new vanity doesn’t distract from poor pipes and bad drainage. Extensive repairs are a perfect excuse to consider a full-scale remodeling. Houses get old, and bathrooms tend to age faster due to elemental exposure. There comes a point where a few attractive updates can’t change the overall condition of an aging bathroom.
Budgetary Concerns
Your budget is one of the more glaring factors when it comes to remodeling decisions. However, it is possible to run a basic bathroom remodeling for reasonable costs. You don’t have to change the entire style of your bathroom; new flooring, paint, and fixtures make up some of the most substantial costs. Your budget is a huge concern, so you’ll want to make note of the “must replace or repair” items first and work your way slowly down to the aesthetic changes.
Making Life Easier
Remodeling is one of those ventures that creates short-term chaos in hopes of more long term happiness. If your bathroom requires extensive repairs or is lowering the value of your home, it may be best to plan a remodel. However, if you’re just looking for a “change”, an interior decorator can help update your bathroom without the mess of major construction. For those on a tight budget, you can skip the decorator and instead, take a trip to your local home improvement store where there is plenty of inspiration!