How to Get the Most Impact from Your Bathroom Remodel Budget

Bathrooms may be the smallest rooms in your home, but a bathroom remodel can be a big project no matter the size of your space. Designers and contractors have to consider a unique set of demands — plumbing, electrical wiring, moisture content and space constraints — all while creating a pleasing and highly functional design.

bathroom remodel tips

Per square foot, no room in the house is more challenging or costly to remodel than the bathroom. According to HomeAdvisor.com, the average cost of a bathroom remodeling project is approximately $10,567, which includes minor, partial, and small bathroom remodeling costs. A comprehensive bathroom remodel costs closer to the $15,000 to $25,000 range, and larger master bath remodel can easily hit $50,000, even reaching as high as the six-figure stratosphere.

But there’s also good news: The money you spend on your bathroom remodel pays off in unmatched value, both in terms of day-to-day living and resale value. If your bathroom doesn’t feel fresh and functional; or, if it lacks style and storage space, it’s probably time to renovate. In order to get the most out of every dollar you budget, it’s important to know where to splurge and where to spend:

Combine great design and energy efficient features. When you begin searching for stylish bathroom features, make opulence affordable by choosing pieces that feature both great design and energy-efficiency. Splurging on a high-end showerhead doesn’t feel unnecessarily indulgent when you realize you’ll save water (and money) over time thanks to its low-flow feature. Likewise, if you’re going to update your toilet, you might as well choose one that leads to long-term savings by using less water with each flush. According to the EPA, a low-flow toilet could save more than $110 per year in water costs, and $2,200 over the lifetime of the toilet.

bathroom remodel tips

Choose one splurge feature. For some people, luxury is a hot bath. If you agree, consider buying that dream claw foot tub. But if you’re someone who only takes showers, you might want to splurge on radiant-heat floors or heated towel racks instead. Choose one feature that represents your personal height of luxury and incorporate it into your bathroom design. Other popular bathroom luxuries include: a fireplace, a coffee bar, or an over-the-tub TV.

Invest in smart storage. Our bathroom designers can make the most of small spaces with cabinetry, vanities, wall-mounted storage, and more. According to Dave Ramsey, the top three items to buy in bulk all belong in the bathroom: toiletries, dental care items (like electric toothbrush heads and dental floss), and of course, toilet paper. According to U.S. News & World Report, you can actually save 50% more when buying toilet paper in bulk instead of in single rolls. Buying in bulk also saves money with fewer trips to the store and less wasted packaging (a plus for the environment, too!). But those savings don’t mean much if you don’t have a place to put all that stuff. Great cabinetry solutions allow you to store towels, linens, toiletries, hairdryers, children’s bath toys, and cleaning supplies out of sight while maintaining a clean, yet functional, streamlined look.

bathroom remodel tips

Create a focal point. By establishing a design focal point, you can draw attention to one special feature and get away with less expensive options everywhere else. This trick works great with tile, for example. Eye-catching glass or mosaic tile is gorgeous, but costly. Used sparingly on one wall or as an accent feature, it can still add a lot of impact without breaking the budget. You can also use a specific bathroom feature — like that decadent freestanding tub we mentioned above — to create visual interest.

Pay attention to “clean” details. The best bathrooms feel like a personal spa, a space that’s clean and restful, and one where every detail has been considered. Thoughtful touches like handheld showers sprays not only add an element of luxury, they also make it easier to clean the shower (and your pets!). For other features that make cleaning and sanitizing a breeze, consider quartz countertops, a frameless glass shower surround with water-spot resistant glass coating, and a toilet with a skirted base. Finally, don’t forget the details. Great cabinetry hardware can dress up even the simplest cabinet. And, you’ll want to be sure that the style and finishes of your faucets and fixtures align. Visual cohesion, even in the smallest elements, is a hallmark of a bathroom that’s been carefully and professionally designed.

Bathrooms are some of the most high-traffic rooms in the home — and you can have one that feels luxurious without breaking the bank. At Swartz Kitchens & Baths, we make it our mission to design the bathroom of your dreams within the budget you can afford. If your bathroom needs a boost, contact us to get started with a consultation.

How Get the Most Impact from Your Bathroom Remodel Budget

Bathrooms may be the smallest rooms in your home, but a bathroom remodel can be a big project no matter the size of your space. Designers and contractors have to consider a unique set of demands — plumbing, electrical wiring, moisture content and space constraints — all while creating a pleasing and highly functional design.

bathroom remodel tips

Per square foot, no room in the house is more challenging or costly to remodel than the bathroom. According to HomeAdvisor.com, the average cost of a bathroom remodeling project is approximately $10, 567, which includes minor, partial, and small bathroom remodeling costs. A comprehensive bathroom remodel costs closer to the $15,000 to $25,000 range, and larger master bath remodel can easily hit $50,000, even reaching as high as the six-figure stratosphere.

But there’s also good news: The money you spend on your bathroom remodel pays off in unmatched value, both in terms of day-to-day living and resale value. If your bathroom doesn’t feel fresh and functional; or, if it lacks style and storage space, it’s probably time to renovate. In order to get the most out of every dollar you budget, it’s important to know where to splurge and where to spend:

Combine great design and energy efficient features. When you begin searching for stylish bathroom features, make opulence affordable by choosing pieces that feature both great design and energy-efficiency. Splurging on a high-end showerhead doesn’t feel unnecessarily indulgent when you realize you’ll save water (and money) over time thanks to its low-flow feature. Likewise, if you’re going to update your toilet, you might as well choose one that leads to long-term savings by using less water with each flush. According to the EPA, a low-flow toilet could save more than $110 per year in water costs, and $2,200 over the lifetime of the toilet.

bathroom remodel tips

Choose one splurge feature. For some people, luxury is a hot bath. If you agree, consider buying that dream claw foot tub. But if you’re someone who only takes showers, you might want to splurge on radiant-heat floors or heated towel racks instead. Choose one feature that represents your personal height of luxury and incorporate it into your bathroom design. Other popular bathroom luxuries include: a fireplace, a coffee bar, or an over-the-tub TV.

Invest in smart storage. Our bathroom designers can make the most of small spaces with cabinetry, vanities, wall-mounted storage, and more. According to Dave Ramsey, the top three items to buy in bulk all belong in the bathroom: toiletries, dental care items (like electric toothbrush heads and dental floss), and of course, toilet paper. According to U.S. News & World Report, you can actually save 50% more when buying toilet paper in bulk instead of in single rolls. Buying in bulk also saves money with fewer trips to the store and less wasted packaging (a plus for the environment, too!). But those savings don’t mean much if you don’t have a place to put all that stuff. Great cabinetry solutions allow you to store towels, linens, toiletries, hairdryers, children’s bath toys, and cleaning supplies out of sight while maintaining a clean, yet functional, streamlined look.

bathroom remodel tips

Create a focal point. By establishing a design focal point, you can draw attention to one special feature and get away with less expensive options everywhere else. This trick works great with tile, for example. Eye-catching glass or mosaic tile is gorgeous, but costly. Used sparingly on one wall or as an accent feature, it can still add a lot of impact without breaking the budget. You can also use a specific bathroom feature — like that decadent freestanding tub we mentioned above — to create visual interest.

Pay attention to “clean” details. The best bathrooms feel like a personal spa, a space that’s clean and restful, and one where every detail has been considered. Thoughtful touches like handheld showers sprays not only add an element of luxury, they also make it easier to clean the shower (and your pets!). For other features that make cleaning and sanitizing a breeze, consider quartz countertops, a frameless glass shower surround with water-spot resistant glass coating, and a toilet with a skirted base. Finally, don’t forget the details. Great cabinetry hardware can dress up even the simplest cabinet. And, you’ll want to be sure that the style and finishes of your faucets and fixtures align. Visual cohesion, even in the smallest elements, is a hallmark of a bathroom that’s been carefully and professionally designed.

Bathrooms are some of the most high-traffic rooms in the home — and you can have one that feels luxurious without breaking the bank. At Swartz Kitchens & Baths, we make it our mission to design the bathroom of your dreams within the budget you can afford. If your bathroom needs a boost, contact us to get started with a consultation.