When it comes to home remodeling projects, the bathroom is a popular choice.. While the kitchen or living room may be your favorite, the bathroom is arguably the most important. Not only is it the place where you typically begin and end your days, it’s also a room that is seen by most of your guests — so it’s important to have a bathroom that you’re proud to show off.
In addition to creating a space that looks and feels welcoming, bathroom remodeling projects can provide a great return on your investment. According to Remodeling magazine, you can expect to recoup about 71% of your costs, on average, if you choose to remodel your bathroom before selling your home. But that doesn’t mean you should wait until you’re ready to put your home on the market to take on a bathroom remodeling project. Why not do it while you still have time to enjoy it?
How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Bathroom?
The cost of remodeling a bathroom can vary dramatically, depending on the size of the room, the additions or changes you want to make, the kind of fixtures you choose and the finishes you select. A mid-range bathroom remodeling project will cost about $20,000, according to Remodeling magazine, while an upscale makeover can run up a bill of $62,000 or more. Of course, costs will vary from one area to the next. Start by setting a budget and learning about the costs you can expect in your region.
If you want to do a budget bathroom remodel (but don’t want it to look cheap), start by determining your biggest expenses for the project. For most bathroom remodels, between 50 and 75% of the cost comes from the labor you hire to do the work. That means that taking on projects you can do yourself is one of the easiest ways to save money. For example, maybe you hire someone to replace the bathtub, fixtures and lighting but install the flooring and wall finishes yourself. If you create a plan that outlines what you want to do with the room, you can begin looking at what you’ll need to hire someone else to do, and what you can accomplish yourself.
While your contractor focuses on big projects that call for a professional, let’s look at some of the ways you can reinvent your bathroom walls — and save money at the same time.
1. Create an accent wall. Accent walls are popular in many rooms in the house, but have you thought about creating one in your bathroom? While the sink and mirrors are often the focal point of a bathroom, you can change that by creating an accent wall. Look for something that will contrast with the rest of the room in color, texture or both. Brick and stone are popular choices for bathroom accent walls. You can even add a textured wood wall.
Barron Designs’ polyurethane faux panels are an ideal way to create an accent wall with the realistic look of brick, rock, stone or wood. The range of colors and styles available means that you can find one that complements and contrasts with the rest of the room, and provide an inviting space that just might make the bathroom your favorite spot in the house.
2. Get back to nature. Biophilic design is a form of interior design that draws its inspiration from nature. It also fits perfectly with the current trend of having more greenery in the bathroom. The steel and ceramic nature of a bathroom can sometimes make it feel cold and sterile, but biophilic design can make it feel warmer and more appealing.
Since natural elements are key in biophilic design, installing faux panels with the look of stone or rock can help you achieve a natural, outdoorsy look. Another way to bring the outside in is to add plants and greenery that complement your color choices. Even small touches of foliage, such as a plant on a countertop, can help you create a greener, more natural-looking space.
3. Add barnwood. The reclaimed barnwood look is popular these days, and you can give your bathroom a cozy, rustic aesthetic with the addition of faux salvaged planks. This addition lends charm and character to a room, and can fit particularly well in a home with the farmhouse kitchen look. An aged or weathered reclaimed shiplap barnwood panel has lighter tones and keeps the room from feeling dark or heavy. You can further break out of the traditional bathroom look by replacing your contemporary vanity with a whitewashed wooden vanity. Other rustic touches — such as a heavy, wood-framed mirror, wooden shelves or industrial pipes for towel racks — can help complete the look.
4. Think vertically. Placing wood panels vertically in your bathroom can give your bathroom a unique, contemporary look, and can also help to create a feeling of height and openness in the smaller space. Shiplap paneling is ideal for this. It works well around a sink and counter, around the tub or as an accent wall.
DIY to Save More
As you look at how to cut costs on your bathroom remodel, Barron Designs can help. Not only are our faux wood, stone and rock panels much less expensive than “the real thing,” you can also save big on the cost of labor when you take on the project yourself. Our lightweight panels are easy to handle — even for novice do-it-yourselfers. We have plenty of installation instructions to walk you through it, and if you have other questions, our design team is always happy to help. Just visit us at BarronDesigns.com and use our chat feature, or call us at 1-800-651-4223.