Is your bathroom an eyesore? Just because you rarely use this room doesn’t mean that it is any less important than the others. If you don’t like the sight of it then you definitely need to make this your next project. An ordinary bathroom can be transformed into a magazine worthy picturesque room quite easily. There’s no need for your bathroom to be the only room standing out from the rest in a negative way.

Before you pick up the hammer and knock down some tiles, walls and sinks, there are a few factors that you should consider. These will determine the direction that the remodel project will take. Remember, each home is unique and should be treated as such. Just because a certain feature looked good in your favorite celebrity’s or friend’s bathroom doesn’t mean it will in yours.

1. What’s the Available Amount of Space

Basically, everything revolves around this key factor. However, it doesn’t mean that you cannot have the sheek and show-stopping bathroom you’ve always wanted. You may need to sacrifice a few things, for instance, a full sized bathtub if your bathroom is small but you could opt for a smaller tub.

With a small spaced bathroom, your main focus should be on functionality rather than luxury. Make use of the available space to create storage and room to maneuver. If all you can afford to do is install a toilet seat, shower and a sink, at least make them glam.

Large sized bathrooms allow you much freedom. You can play around with fixtures, colors, effects and even furniture.

2. Budget

Go big or go home, right? It all depends on the available funds. A large budget is quite easy to work with since all you need to do is identify what you like and have it delivered. In this case, all you need is a bathroom designer and catalog. You can have the latest bathtub, light fixture, tile and shower as you please.

On the other hand, you may need to reconsider a few things beforehand. Is a bathtub necessary? A man may prefer to forego the bathtub option and choose a shower cube instead which saves money. If you are on a tight budget, you may need to consider doing the project yourself. Installing a toilet seat takes about an hour and you get to save a few bucks this way.

3. Organization

Just because this is a bathroom doesn’t mean that the toilet should be the first thing you see when you walk in. It could be strategically hidden behind the cabinet wall. It also doesn’t have to touch your bathtub else your relaxation time will be interfered with.

The window should be against the mirror so that the natural light can effortlessly shine on your face hence facilitating a clear view. Your designer should be able to strategically place everything where it serves best.

4. Know What to Replace

If you are looking to remodel your existing bathroom, getting rid of everything in there may not be as easy as you think. If yours is an old house, the tiles may be difficult to get rid off. Ripping them off may skyrocket the cost. There may be double layers of concrete and/or wire lath in there which are labor intensive to try to get rid of. If getting rid of such features does not make financial sense, leave them in.

5. Lighting

Did you know that ample lighting in a room makes it appear bigger? This comes in handy especially if you’re short on space. Modern bathrooms can accommodate light fixtures.

The light should evenly be distributed across the room. It should also be just enough to facilitate a clear view when you look at the mirror. If you don’t want it too bright, consider an over the mirror light and cabinet light that goes on when you open the door.

6. Functionality

Don’t get too caught up on the appeal of the bathroom and forget it’s main purpose. You should be able to take a shower without splashing water all over the place. You may love the classy look of hardwood floors but this isn’t the place for it.

The sink should be the appropriate height, normally 32 or 34 inches off the floor. However, this depends on the kind of sink you need. An above the counter sink will need to be lower. Remember, you need to use the sinks comfortably.

7. Who’s the Bathroom Meant for?

Is this a child’s personal bathroom? If it is then you need to make it child-friendly. The toilet seat, sink, light switch should all be at an appropriate level. Choose some calming colors, theme and effect to show that it indeed is a child’s bathroom.

If the bathroom is shared by two teenagers in two different rooms, it may need to be the room connecting the two. Two doors to the bathroom will create a sense of ownership to both users.

If the bathroom is meant for an elderly or a physically challenged person, you may need to make it easy to maneuver. A bar next to the toilet could help them rise and lower themselves to the seat. If they’re on a wheelchair, the door should be wide enough to allow the chair in. A bathroom bench that they could sit on while in the shower is also an ideal choice.

8. High-End Touches

You may be on a tight budget but it doesn’t mean that your bathroom should look cheap and basic. You can tactfully make an ordinary cabinet look elegant by adding unique and flashy handles. Do the same with faucets, flash handle, towel bar or even the wallpaper. This is a creative way of taking the bathroom up a notch.

Everyone deserves an appealing and functional bathroom is their home. Remodeling it allows you the opportunity to give it your signature look. It could be just the way you like it without having to deal with what the previous user wanted. With a few ideas, you could get the ball rolling. However, if you don’t have the time, hire a bathroom designer and experience professionalism. They could also help you get some great discounts on the materials hence saving money.

Read Next: Expert’s Guide to Successful Remodel Projects