Adding a Bathroom to Your Home? Avoid These 10 Mistakes
What do you love about where you live, but wish you could change? Most people with large families would probably say the number of bathrooms.
As Minneapolis interior designers, it isn’t unusual for us to assist our clients with finding more space in their existing homes. Namely, adding a bathroom when their family has outgrown the current layout.
However, the process isn’t as simple as just transforming a space under the stairs or in a hidden corner into a sudden half bath. There’s far more to it than this, which is why we’re here to offer some a little bathroom remodeling advice.
Here are 10 mistakes to avoid when planning your bathroom addition project.
1. Not Having a Clear Plan
The biggest mistake many property owners make when adding a bathroom is not having a clear design plan. The result? Delays, extra costs, and more problems than anyone anticipated.
A bathroom requires a lot of additional plumbing, ventilation, and electrical considerations. Plus, there are some of those less obvious elements, like positioning and fixtures.
It’s important to talk to an interior design or remodeling professional equipped company who can help you develop the find the best way to deliver the extra room you’re looking for in the most reasonable fashion.
2. Forgetting About Spacing
Have you ever seen one of those meme images where the bathroom door doesn’t open all the way because the toilet is in the way? Or a toilet paper holder mounted out of reach? These are small yet important details that you don’t want to overlook.
Whether you’re adding a full bath or just a powder room, making sure everything is in the right place is important for both functionality and aesthetics. After all, who wants to have to brush their teeth while standing in the shower? Not us!
3. Incorrect Plumbing Considerations
Plumbing is one of the more critical aspects to a bathroom. Adding a bathroom to an area that doesn’t already have plumbing in the walls can mean additional expense and work in multiple areas of your home. Furthermore, proximity to sewer or septic should also be considered.
While it may make sense that these would be two of the first things to think about when deciding where in your home to add a new bathroom, you’d be surprised at how often it is missed.
4. Not Allocating Enough of Your Budget
When it comes to home remodeling in Minneapolis, adding a bathroom as part of a bigger renovation will always be a good return on investment. However, it is important to ensure you’re allocating enough of your budget to the process.
Bathrooms involve more specialized effort than a standard living room or bedroom. There’s plumbing, electrical, and many other factors to consider, meaning you’ll need to ensure your budget is appropriately allocated to avoid surprises.
Choosing to work with a professional design team like Che Bella Interiors means we’ll make sure that sufficient resources are allocated to ensure an accurate budget and results that won’t leave you feeling disappointed.
5. Planning Too Little Storage
Planning too little storage for your bathroom space is a critical error that makes it hard to overcome later. Instead of waiting until it is too late, be sure to think about elements like closets, cabinets, or vanities while you’re still in the design phase.
6. Adding Too Many Features
Adding a new bathroom to your home can be exciting, but make sure you don’t go overboard. There are plenty of great features to include in your project and narrowing it down to the best ones is always key.
When you get too many things going on at once, you’re giving up space and a section of your budget. Instead, remain focused on the big must-haves and be more flexible with those things that are nonessential.
==> See photos of “The Tranquil” – a beautiful Burnsville, MN bathroom remodel completed by our Minneapolis remodeling team
7. Positioning Too Close to High Traffic Areas
This is another big one that a lot of homeowners forget when adding a new bathroom — positioning the space too close to a high traffic area. After all, who wants a bathroom that is just off the dining room? When searching for the right place in your home to add this new space, make sure you consider what it would be like in terms of functionality.
8. Making the Toilet the First Thing You See
Which brings us to another common bathroom addition blunder — making the toilet the first thing you see when you walk in the room.
This might seem like a minor thing, but in terms of privacy it is a big deal. Think of it this way, if a door were left unlocked and someone accidentally walked in, most people would want a layout that is more discreet. It’s why many master bathrooms have a separate water closet.
9. Forgetting Windows and Lighting
Nobody wants to get stuck in a dark, damp bathroom. Instead, look for ways to add windows. If this isn’t an option, consider a skylight that allows in natural illumination even if the space isn’t on an exterior wall.
If a window isn’t possible, then consider bright vanity lighting for better views. You can also position mirrors accordingly to keep the room from feeling closed off.
10. Not Focusing on Functionality
Finally, a common error we see with a bathroom addition is functionality. Ultimately, how the space will be used plays a huge role in how it should be designed.
For example, a basement powder room attached to a play area will be used differently than a luxurious master bathroom. Keeping the overarching purpose of the bathroom in mind when choosing features is a valuable way to help keep your vision and your budget in check.
Contact Che Bella Interiors Today
Are you ready to transform the look of your Minneapolis or greater Twin Cities home? Our dedicated, creative team at Che Bella Interiors can help you create a space that is beautifully yours. When you place your trust in us, we dive heart-first into our work to build relationships and manage the details that go into creating a space where you can live your best life. We treat our clients the way we want to be treated, leading you through the process from start to finish, acting with the utmost integrity and delivering the highest level of personalized service. From adding a bathroom to selecting window coverings, Che Bella Interiors is here to help you find the right design options to suit your needs. Contact us today to learn more.
