Bathrooms used to be just utilitarian places where you showered or bathed and that was that Modern Living has brought a new meaning to a Bathroom.
At last you can have the Bathroom of your Dreams at a price you can afford.
If you were to hire a professional designer and tradesmen it would certainly be very costly.
However most of the work you can now do yourself with a few simple tools.
You might want to get a friend or two to help though especially for installing larger items.
A common mistake is to just start without a plan in mind.
That way you will only end up spending much more than you had bargained for .
First of all check your current finances to see if you can actually afford a complete renovation.
It is far better to come in under budget than to overspend and incur high credit card charges.
Get a pad of Graph Paper (It has small squares marked all over it).
Now measure up your bathroom and plan the basic shape on the graph pad using One medium sized box for each square foot.
You should next measure up for the size of bathtubs,sinks and cabinets you really like.
If you are buying Continental units like those from Ikea then you will find these are measured usually in centimeters so it would be sensible to measure everything using centimeters to avoid confusion.
You can even use a digital measure to size up the available space.
Next step is to draw on a different sheet of the graph paper the outlines of the units and cabinets you want to put into the bathroom. Now cut out each piece of paper and color it differently.
Now you can move the units around to see which layout you prefer.
Try different sized tubs showers etc until you get it just right.
What do you prefer – tile or paint or wallpaper (if it is wallpaper then choose a waterproof one !)
Have you chosen a Theme for your bathroom – a Roman one with mosiac tiles perhaps or a 19th Century Romantic plan.
There are also Computer programs that allow you to do all this and you can also see different color schemes too..
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Now take your list or drawing along with you to the home improvement store. Compare prices of the items you’re looking to get. Check them out thoroughly to find the one you want at the best price.
Have a look at our site here even !
You should be flexible though. You may have an original plan and then spot something else you like better – like a pedestal sink that’s cheaper than the one you originally were thinking of getting.
Jot down all of the prices of the items you need, but don’t buy just yet!
Take some paint samples (DIY stores sell tiny sample bottles but remember to keep the label .) or wallpaper swatches home with you.
Remember that how these will look in your bathroom will depend very much on your lighting.
Try to arrange your lighting so that it suits your theme – light and soft for a Roman or Greek theme and harsh spotlights for a touch of Victorian Theatricals.
Paint color will look different in your bathroom, depending on lighting, so take the sample cards and see how your color choices will work in your bathroom.
Take a look at your figures and see how they fit into your budget.
Remember that you will need tools and a wallpaper table or paint rollers and brushes – did you budget for these ?
Have Your figures gone over budget or did they stay within the limits you set?
You should leave some breathing room within your budget to account for any unexpected items you may need , and of course, figure in the taxes of the items you plan to buy. (That can be a big surprise sometimes)
Now you have a sensible plan and if you are satisfied with the approximate costs you can go out and purchase the items.
Remember to get everything you need before you start your dream project, so you do not have to run back and forth to the store to buy the things you have forgotten..
When you have made your dream bathroom well within budget you should try it all out and really enjoy your efforts in the knowledge that you have not only realized your dream but that you have certainly added value to your home.
