Bathrooms are one of the most popular and commonly remodeled rooms in the home. And since they are a high traffic space (and one where updates are noticeable), doing so can have a significant effect on resale value.When starting a bathroom remodeling project think about utility as well as design. Bathrooms are often difficult jobs because multiple components must be arranged to fit and function in a small space. There′s also multiple water elements so doing the project correctly, from plumbing to ventilation, is imperative.

Walls

Tile is frequently used in bathrooms for many reasons. It′s aesthetically pleasing, it reflects light, it′s durable, it′s easy to clean and it′s a simple way to freshen up the space. And options abound for bathroom tile ideas, from material to implementation. Tile halfway up the wall to create wainscoting, use classic white subway tile, tile the entire wall, create a 4 6 inch border or combine multiple style elements using whichever material you like. Using tile is more expensive than painting, however, so if you′re on a budget either choose an iteration that doesn′t use a lot of it or just use paint. Make sure the proper additive is mixed in with your paint color in order to keep it from getting mildewy and if you′re using tile, look for stain resistant grout (more expensive but worth the extra cost). White and off white are the most popular bathroom color ideas and neutral colors also help make the space feel calm and fresh. Choosing a monochromatic color palette, where you base the whole color scheme off of one main color, is another popular option and will make the space feel bigger.

Lighting

Selecting the proper lighting in your bathroom is important because a light, bright room will feel bigger. Good lighting can transform the space and make all other design elements pop. Unless you′re particularly savvy with electrical work, leave electrical projects to professionals unless you′re just swapping out a fixture. In terms of efficiency, install LED lights. They use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting (and won′t heat up the room).

Flooring

There are many options for bathroom flooring so first consider our tips for selecting a material for your floors, which will help you choose what works best for your space. In general, larger floor tiles and patterns are subtle and better for small bathrooms. If you put ceramic tile on the floor look for a grade of 1 or 2, a water absorption rating of less than 7% and a coefficient of friction above .60, which are slip resistant and stand up to water. You′ll also want a more impervious tile for the floor because of exposure to water. Vinyl feels better on bare feet than ceramic tile and it′s one of the more popular flooring choices due to it being inexpensive and practical (safe, easy to install and maintain). One feature that buyers are looking for in today′s market is radiant heated flooring, which not only ensures warm feet in the colder months but also makes the floor dry faster, reducing the chance of slips or falls. It′s also energy efficient.