Find the Right Style for Your Bathroom Remodel Project

The bathroom has played a large role in homes, yet this room is possible the one that receives the least amount of attention.

Often we view the bathroom as something needed, instead of something we appreciate. This is especially true when you consider that a bathroom is a room for bathing or releasing natural urges, and is composed of excessive amounts of plumbing, fixtures, and in many instances glass.

However we have various types of bathrooms including family, master, individual, half, guest, three-quarter, full baths, and disabled bathrooms which should be considered when you want to make any improvements to increase the equity to your home. It has been proven that making upgrades to a bathroom will help increase the equity in the home.

Before you begin remodeling, your bathroom check with your local government for any permits you will require. Several states have building laws and codes that require building permits. Once you have completed your remodeling project, you may be required to have a master electrician and/or plumber to inspect your work to guarantee that your work meets code.

However, before you begin remodeling your bathroom, you want to clean your work area first. It is important that you have a clean area in which you will work. This includes removing all dust and the tools you will be using for the repair or improvement. Once you have a clean area, look around, and set up a methodical plan, of what you intend to do to improve the area and write it down on paper. Analyze your bathroom and make notes about want you like and dislike about it. You also want to make notes about the amount of storage space you want in your bathroom the layout of your shower/bathtub, electrical layouts and any improvements you want to make including upgrading faucets, fixtures, counters, flooring, ventilation and so forth.

To make your bathroom more appealing you may want to consider replacing your cabinetry with the inspirational look of woods such as oak, maple, and beech. Wood cabinets can enhance the atmosphere of your bathroom by adding warm earthy tones. If on the other hand, you merely want to freshen your bathroom, then a fresh coat of paint may be all you need.

If you want to change the complete style of your bathroom, then you have to choose the right style for you. Often the bathroom is painted with neutral wall paint, has medium or dark wood cabinets that present a generic look, which reinforces our need to redesign or decorate the bathroom. When we consider redesigning the bathroom, there are several different styles we can choose from including the European style, modern style, Mediterranean style, Victorian style, the Oriental style bathroom, and the rain forest style.

The rain forest style bathroom brings the feel of the outdoors inside and is often less expensive than other styles of bathrooms. This style can be achieved by adding houseplants, accessories, and wallpaper that convey the feel of a rain forest. You can complete the effect by tiling the floor with a natural stone tile or stone look ceramic tile.

An easy way to change the style of your bathrooms is often accomplished by changing your accessories, including towel hangers, toothbrush and soap dishes, and other accessories. However, be warned that too many accessories can make a bathroom look cluttered and cramped. Thus, when considering adding accessories look at the basics.

When installing your towel holders, and other accessories, many require only a level, and screwdriver, whereas other may require a few other tools or materials. Installing your accessories is simple if you gather the proper tools first and follow the installation instructions.

Whichever style you choose, remodeling your home can increase the value of your home’s equity. Therefore, when you make the decision to do any home improvement it is vital that you evaluate the situation carefully. This includes making notes, creating a budget, and setting up steps for your improvement. If your bathroom is small you may want to add mirrors and choose lighter paint colors instead of darker colors that can make the bathroom seem smaller and more confined.

Many homes have tile walls and flooring that require replacing or repairing because the tiles have loosened or have deteriorated over the years because of use, moisture, and the occasional accidental bumping. It is easier to repair old tiles instead of replacing them, simple because you do not have to worry about removing all the tiles, and old mortar. Simply remove any loose tiles, then carefully chip away the old mortar behind the tile as well as any grout with the use of a grout saw, if there is any old caulking that will have to be removed as well. Before reattaching the removed tiles, use a tile and grout cleaner and stain remover, clean the remaining tiles and grout thoroughly and allow them to dry according to the manufactures instructions on the grout cleaner. Once you have reattached all the tiles, and grouted around them, let the grout dry according to the manufactures time before sealing the gout with a penetrating sealer. This will prevent mold growth and staining.

Your next step is to remove the old caulk from the joints and corners that has cracked or faded because of water. Before you start re-caulking your bathroom, make sure that the room is dry and that the area you will be working is also dry. Removing the caulk is not as difficult as it may sound or appear. To help there are several products on the market called “Caulk-Be-Gone” and “Adhesive & Caulk Remover.” I've used both products and they work wonderful. They are specially formulated to soften caulk and make it easy for you to remove with a scrapper or putty knife. However, it usually takes several hours for these products to work. Once you have removed the old caulk, you then want to clean the joints, and corners with paint thinner, followed by wiping the area thoroughly dry with a clean cloth.

The reason why it is so important to clear the joints of mildew and dirt before re-caulking is because the dark mildew stains we see are not on the caulk, but beneath it. You can purchase cleaning solutions that are formulated to remove mildew at most hardware and grocery stores.

When you caulk, you want to squeeze a dead of caulk, or silicone caulk into the joint and corner, then run a wet finger along the wet caulk to form a smooth line of caulk. You can purchase caulk tools that are used instead of your finger, however I have found these to be more of a hindrance than help. Once the caulk has dried you then want to buff the tiles with a dry cloth.

If you have wallpaper in your bathroom, which requires repairs, or replacing I will like to state my opinion at this time. Whomever the first home interior designer was that come up with the suggestion of hanging wallpaper in a bathroom, which contains a shower or bathtub, was an idiot. Wallpaper that is hung in a half-bath, which is a bathroom that only contains a sink and toilet, is fine. However, wallpaper is fragile, and easily damaged when exposed to steam, heat, and moisture. Which, if I’m not mistaken are the three things that occur whenever a person takes a nice long and hot bath.

To repair wallpaper, you first have to completely remove the damaged panel. There are several chemical solutions you can purchase at home supply stores that will help remove the wallpaper, but they still require the paper be scrapped from the wall. The old wallpaper glue then has to be removed, often by sanding. Your next step is to match the pattern in the paper and cut then hang the replacement panel.

NOTE: If you are repairing your wallpaper with a recently purchased roll of the same patter as what you have on the wall, the color of the paper may not match due to different dye lots. For this reason when purchasing wallpaper it is always best to purchase an extra roll so that you will have the same dye lot, in case of needed repairs.

If this sounds too complicated, or if you feel that it is too much work for you to do, you are not alone. Countless homeowners veer aware from home improvement or repair projects because they have been frightened by contractors with horror stories and visions of their home crumbling around them if they attempt to make even the simplest repair. These scare tactics are so that the homeowner will pay high dollar amounts for simple repairs or remodeling jobs.

Granted there are times that you have to hire a contractor. In these instances, you want to acquire several bids and interview the contractor. Verify all of his/her references and you may even want to contact your insurance company to see if they have any contractors they can refer. After all, insurance companies hire contractors to do home repairs in the event of a storm, or fire damage. For electricians and plumbers you want to make sure they are Master electricians and plumbers.

When we take pride in our homes by repairing and making improvements, it is an awarding experience, which also conveys to the world the type of person we are. Thus, when we spend the time, and effort to take care of our homes we are announcing to the world that we care about ourselves and where we live.

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