The thought of creating your dream home can be extremely exciting. However, there are certain things that you can overlook when it comes to home renovations. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when taking on a remodel to help you save time and money, as well as ensure you don’t gray prematurely in the process.

1. Rushing into it.

Don’t get caught up in the excitement of a renovation project and rush into it without developing a good plan. Be patient. Before starting anything, come up with a design with your contractor, a realistic timeline, and look into whether or not your project needs a permit. Coming up with a good plan is tedious and time-consuming but having a bad plan or no plan at all can delay your project, derail progress, and increase costs in the long run.

2. Taking matters into your own hands (DIYers)

I love a DIY project as much as the next person, but just know when to hand over a project to professionals.  Realistically evaluate your own abilities before deciding to start a project without hiring a contractor. Sure a blog post or YouTube video may make it seem easy but just know that you may not end up with the result you were expecting or you may not be able to finish the project at all. Then...after investing your time and money into doing a  project on your own, you may have to hire a contractor to repair your mistake anyway. So realize that hiring a contractor is a worthwhile investment. They have the expertise to plan the project, maneuver through challenges, and apply best practices to ensure superior results. 

Tip: If you have made the decision to go about a project on your own, we offer home renovations consulting to help advise you on the project from start to finish. Read more about home renovations consulting here.

3. Choosing the first contractor you meet or a contractor with the lowest quote

 A contractor can make or break a project. Don’t make the mistake of choosing the first contractor you meet. Take your time.  Be sure to interview several contractors, communicating to them your expectations for the project and request an itemized estimate from each one. Moreover, the lowest quoted price might be tempting, but it can be misleading and unrealistic.  A low quote can mean that the contractor is not accounting for certain costs or even worse, they might cut corners once the renovation starts. 

4. Having an unrealistic budget

What I mean by “unrealistic” is creating a budget, which doesn’t allow for wiggle room.  A good rule of thumb to follow is once you have decided what you want to spend, increase that number by 20% and that should be your budget.  This 20% cushion will help prevent added stress when unforeseen events arise.

5. Choosing the cheaper option

It’s understandable that you are looking for ways to save money on a project, but don’t automatically choose the cheapest fixtures.  Talk to your contractor about the tradeoffs between quality and price for your certain aspects of your project. You’ll probably be better off selecting a better quality product that fits within your budget. Investing a little more on quality means you won’t be spending money on repairs in the long run.  

Tip: If you are in no rush at all, you may be able to find great deals on items that you do want throughout the year. You just need to keep your eyes peeled and you can save on material costs without compromising quality. However, make sure you have the right measurements before you buy it!

6.  Changing your mind.

 Try your best to stick to your initial plan once a renovation project has begun. Changing your mind throughout the project and doing last minute add-ons can get costly.  However, a good contractor will let you know what will cost extra if you do so happen to change your mind. Ultimately, coming up with a refined plan in the beginning in order to help you not doubt yourself throughout the renovation.

In our last post, I wrote about different types of ways to renovate your to achieve a spa-like bathroom. This second part addresses décor tips and tricks to achieve the same look. These tips are great for people who are unable to renovate their bathrooms, and for people who are fine-tuning an already renovated bathroom.

Greenery

I believe that some greenery breathes life to any room. Not only do plants reflect spa scenery, they add freshness to the air and make any space look more natural. However, some plants thrive more than others in the bathroom and The Joy of Plants has compiled a nice list of plants that not only look wonderful bathroom but thrive and prosper in that environment. On the other hand, if you do not have a green thumb (like me) or don’t want to worry about real plants, fake plants achieve the same result aesthetically.

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Seating

The toilet does not have to be the only seat in the bathroom! Ever notice how some spas have a nice ottoman, stool or couch to rest on? Why not add one in yours? If you have the extra room to place a small seat, do it. It’s an elegant and upscale looking piece that provides you seating while waiting for the bath to fill or moisturizing your legs once you’re out of the shower. It can also double as a side table to hold your gadgets, books, and products while you're bathing!

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Bathroom Organization

Buying dispensers, trays, and containers that are the same style helps keep the room consistent and harmonized. Moreover, it makes the room appear tidier, because when you have different products on the counter or in the shower with different packaging, labels, and colors, it distracts the eye and makes the room appear messy and cluttered. However, when it comes to counter space I advise on keeping it as clear as possible by storing products and appliances in drawers or baskets but in case you want products out for your convenience such as skincare or perfume, put it on a tray.

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Candles

Light up a candle and fill the room with a relaxing aroma and a soft warm glow. However, if candles are not your thing try scent diffusers or potpourri. 

Towels

Nothing screams spa like large white fluffy towels to me. They are not exactly décor items, but it’s the placement and arrangement of towels that give off the spa-like vibe, thus I consider it functional decor. Some people prefer to keep extra towels stowed away in the hall closet, but there are ways to showcase them in the bathroom, which adds comfort and softness to the room.

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Have you ever taken a good look at the significance of your bathroom? Ever think about how much time you spend in them, and the purpose it serves you? A lot of people, I feel, tend to underestimate what a great bathroom can do for them. This is one of the first rooms you enter in the mornings to get ready for the day and a room where you unwind at the end of it. Now think about how nice it would be to enter your bathroom, and just be transformed by the atmosphere, and ambiance.

Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a spa-like bathroom in your home? I mean a trip to the spa is the ultimate way to relax, and de-stress, but we don’t all have the finances to go to the spa every week or even every month. So, why not invest long-term in a spa-like bathroom, which gives you the ability to access a calming sanctuary 24/7, all year round. It would be a space in your home that can melt your stresses away, every day. Imagine that! There are really two ways we can achieve this, through renovations, and/or changing décor. Therefore, I’ve split this topic into two parts, part I: renovations, and part II décor. There is just so much information I want to share, but it would all be so overwhelming at once. Since this is part I, I want to begin with steam showers.

Steam Showers

Many people probably assume a soaking tub is a must-have in a spa-like bathroom. But what are the chances of you soaking in a tub every single day? It can also make a smaller bathroom feel crowded. So, above all else, if I can only recommend one thing on this list, it would be a steam shower.  However, if you have the luxury of being able to have both, do it, you won't regret it, but I digress. Many people enjoy steam showers for several reasons; it can help improve circulation, flush out toxins, alleviate sinus problems, and reduce muscle tensions. One way to makeshift an at-home steam shower is to have a glass shower enclosure that fits all the way to the ceiling, which has a vent that can close to allow steam to gather when you’re feeling like a steam shower and opens when you just want a regular shower. However, installing a steam generator will provide you with premium results. Some steam generators even come equipped with an oil caddy and atomizer, generating in-steam aromatherapy (like this one). 

However, keep in mind that with steam showers you want to be sure the enclosure is properly water- and vapor-proof. We would use products like Wedi to achieve this (click here to read our blog post about Wedi). Wedi boards can give you the versatility to design a steam shower according to your style preference, whether you want it to be curbless or a partial barrier, the design possibilities are endless.  Just take a look at some of these amazing at home steam showers.

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Image via Houzz - Niki Papadopoulos; Ansley Park Master Bath

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Shower Bench/Niche

To add more luxury to your steam shower, add a bench! Why stand? Relax. Have a seat. Enjoy the heat, and melt away. You can bring in a separate waterproof bench if you would like, but you can up the ante with a custom built-in bench made to match the rest of the space. And while we’re customizing, why not add a built-in shower niche to hold your toiletries. Installing a shower caddy can disrupt the clean lines we have created, and setback the zen vibes we are trying to achieve. However, do work within your budget. We can help you find a solution to achieve the look you want!  

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Image via DecorPad - Martha O'Hara Interiors 

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Heated Floors/Towels

Now...what’s worse than stepping out of a nice steam shower just to encounter a cold icy floor? No spa-like bathroom can truly feel complete without spoiling yourself to heated floors. There are two basic types of heated flooring to choose from, electric radiant heat and hydronic heating. Both have their pros and cons, so if you want to install heated floors consider each option carefully. While heated floors can be expensive to install, it is definitely worth the extra investment to some. However, if this is not an option for you, there is still warmth within reach! The feeling of warm cozy towels after a long hot bath is absolutely blissful, especially during the winter months. That’s why towel warming drawers and racks can be a wonderful addition to any bathroom.

LUXURIOUS HArDWARE

Luxury hardware may seem unnecessary, but it can make all the difference. Remember, a spa-like bathroom is all about indulgences. When it comes to shower heads, there’s just something so luxurious about a rainfall showerhead. The softer flow on the skin just feels so relaxing. It’s definitely a gentle way to wake up in the mornings, and the most spa-like experience you can achieve during a shower. You can also opt for a handheld shower, as well, for days where you need the convenience of a quick shower. Although, there is other hardware to think about too; the faucet, hooks, handles, etc. Then, it's also important to consider the finish (e.g. brushed, polished, oil-rubbed, matte), and tone (e.g. gold, silver, bronze) of them. There are so many options to choose from that it warrants a post of its own, but be sure to pick one that matches the type of spa look you want to achieve, whether it be rustic, Asian-inspired, or a contemporary looking bathroom, the finish will pull it together. It's the sum of all the details that make the big picture. 

Color Scheme

Many spas use light earthy tones to induce a spacious, airy feel. However, I do realize different colors affect people differently. So, don’t go with a color scheme spas usually choose. Pick colors that feel calming to you, as a great color scheme can set the tone and ambiance for the room. Caitlin Sole has compiled a brief, yet educational, summary of calming color schemes on Better Homes and Gardens, click here to read more. Although personally, I tend to prefer neutral and earthy tones for an authentic spa-like feel, using a mixture of brown, cream, white, and grey tones.

Accent Textures

We can also mix in some textures that engage the senses, using varying tile patterns, wood, or stone -- generally mixtures of rough, and smooth textures can bring a room from “blah” to fab. A natural stone like marble is so glossy, versatile, and elegant; it truly has a clean modern feel to it. Whereas, rough textures like wood can balance out sharpness in the room by adding in warmth and dimension. There really are so many ways to use and mix textures, and really, there are no rules on how to do it. The key is to find balance.

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Lighting

Last, but not least is lighting. Lighting is an art in and of itself.  Designer Geoffrey De Sousa offers his expertise in bathroom lighting for YLighting. He covers what is important to consider, common mistakes, how to light different areas of the bathroom, and which light bulbs he prefers. Click here to read more.

As for my own personal opinion, I'd say that in spa-like bathrooms that want more of an elegant feel, opt for some pendant lighting. Pendant lighting offers a bigger pool of light, but still makes you feel comfortable because it is not harsh. There are also some fixtures can be extremely stylish and help break up the monotony of a room. Lastly, for access to ultimate mood lighting, install color-changing LED bulbs or light strips . There's a color for every mood.  Whether you want to induce calm with blues, sensuality with red, reenergize with purple, or just have regular task light, you can change it with a push of a button.

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Did this post give you any ideas, or additional things to consider on your potential bathroom renovation? Stay tuned for part II, where I talk about decor ideas to further make your bathroom feel like a spa. 

When you have a small bathroom, sometimes it’s hard to find space or make it look larger, but here are some modern solutions to revamp your small bathroom to give it a little more “oomph”.

1. NICHES

Creating niches in the walls are a great way to utilize space you might not even know you have. Generally, if an interior wall does not have insulation or plumbing running through it, then that is space you can use. 

A niche can be placed in the shower area or on other walls, not only does it provide space visually, but also gives you more room to store items in a very chic manner. Something to consider is how you want the niche to look, whether it runs vertically or horizontally, and whether you want to use accent patterns or colors to emphasize the niche. For example, when niches run the length of the wall horizontally with a accent color or pattern, it tends to widen the room as well as maximizing storage space, as shown in the first picture.   

TIP: When using open storage such as niches to store toiletries, try placing them in decorated containers in order to minimize clutter, which can quickly crowd up a small bathroom.

2. DIFFERENT DOORS

We tend to see swinging doors in homes, but how about other options? There are pocket doors, barn doors, and even bifold doors. It's time to reclaim some door space, and open up some more placement options for other things. Swinging doors can be a bit of nuisance for small bathrooms whether it's you squeezing yourself through the door, or the door restricts placement of other things such as the vanity.   

These doors take up little to no space and the are a great solution to opening up your small bathroom from a design perspective. If you are considering a pocket door however, do keep in mind that your wall may have electrical or plumbing running through it which may not be easily rerouted, so instead perhaps consider a barn door or bi fold doors. 

3. WALL-MOUNTED FIXTURES

When you mount fixtures in small bathroom in visually opens up space by allowing the eye to see the floor all the way through till the wall, giving the illusion of a bigger room. A wall mounted toilet is an option to consider, the tank of the toilet recesses into the wall, decreasing the amount it protrudes out into the room. Moreover, you can utilize the space where the tank would be for storage. But again, consider that there may issues with the wall and this type of installation may not be possible without a high price tag. 

Luckily, you can also mount sinks and vanities as well. Mounting the sink is a great idea in bathrooms that do not need to hold a lot of toiletries, it's a minimalistic approach to opening up rooms, and it can look incredibly beautiful and simplistic when set in the right space. However, if you need the storage, but don't want it to look cluttered, consider a mounted vanity. Pick one with clean and simple lines which won't make your small bathroom look "busy."