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- by Kennadie McDermott
Bathroom remodeling is a common home project, but also a fairly big and involved one. According to one article on how to save on a bathroom remodel, the average cost of this kind of job can exceed $16,000. And that’s based on data from 2015 (meaning the number has likely ticked up at least a little bit).
Many homeowners will feel that that’s a reasonable price to pay for a fully revamped bathroom space — which can not only make a home more pleasant, but can also boost the home’s resale value. Nevertheless, if you’re thinking of investing that heavily in remodeling a bathroom, it’s all the more important to get the project just right. So with that in mind we want to offer a few tips and tricks for everything from paying for the remodel to choosing the right products.
Find Ways to Save
The aforementioned article that quoted the average price for a bathroom remodel also had some helpful advice for how to save on the project. For instance, it was recommended to compare products to find where cheaper alternatives are every bit as effective as more expensive pieces. It was also suggested that thorough knowledge of how contractors are paid can help you to structure a project to minimize costs. Perhaps most interesting was the idea that you should buy your own materials (even if you have to consult with the contractor to know what to buy), so that you aren’t paying workers for their time spent shopping. Essentially, the more thorough you can be in your planning, the more you’ll be able to save.
Find Ways to Pay
If you’re opting for a home remodel that will cost thousands of dollars, you may need to explore different ways to pay for up-front costs. The first option that will occur to many is to put the bulk of the cost on a credit card and pay it off as gradually as is allowed. However, it’s also worth exploring loan options. Bathroom remodeling is actually mentioned as one of the main ways home improvement loans can be used, meaning this sort of arrangement is quite common. Specifics vary depending on your lender, but it’s possible to obtain an unsecured loan (meaning one based on your credit rather than given in exchange for home equity), and have a favorable APR as well. This allows you to pay for the remodel up front, and make up the cost at your own pace.
Keep Up with the Trends
Moving past payment, one of the best tips to keep in mind for how to successfully remodel your bathroom is to keep up with the trends. Of course, you can do whatever you like with your home. But particularly if you’re concerned with resale value, it’s better to observe trends than to rely solely on personal taste. As an example, consider the matte tile trend that we’ve remarked on recently as a go-to for 2021. It’s a trend that’s come about for multiple reasons: tranquil feeling, modern design aesthetic, and even ease of cleaning. It is both fashionable and functional, and bound to remain that way for the foreseeable future. A trend like this is at least worth considering for a remodel that is both attractive and enduring.
Consider the Type of Bathroom
It may seem to be an obvious point, but different types of bathrooms should be handled differently when it comes to remodeling. A primary bathroom is one connected to the master bedroom, and is usually a full bathroom. A full bathroom is one with a toilet, sink, shower, and bath. And then there are three-quarter bathrooms (toilet, sink, and shower or bath); half bathrooms (toilet and sink); and quarter bathrooms (toilet or shower). Products and costs relating to the general room (wallpaper, plumbing, tile, lighting, etc.) may not vary much between types of bathrooms. However, larger purchases may be dictated by what type of room you’re remodeling. For instance, you might invest more for three-quarter bathroom shower head than for a quarter bathroom (or utility shower). You might have more to spend on a new toilet for a half bathroom than for a full bathroom in which you have other priorities. Keep these factors in mind from the beginning so as to strategize and budget appropriately.
Prioritize Products Accordingly
Lastly and most importantly, remember to prioritize products according to the decisions and considerations alluded to above. For instance, if you were to opt for the matte tile trend for a full bathroom, you’ll want to find the right tiles first, and choose matching furnishings and décor thereafter. Ceramic sinks can contrast nicely on a matte tile countertop; a natural material like stone for a tub or shower floor complements the atmosphere; and mirrors with minimalist borders help to allow the matte tile to shine. These choices surround a specific example. But the general idea is to choose products in a cohesive manner relating to the type style of bathroom you’re going for, rather than as independent purchases.
Follow these simple but important guidelines and you’ll be well on your way to a gorgeous bathroom remodel.
Content intended only for the use of surfaceartinc.com
Written by Ashley Brady
- by Kennadie McDermott
Matte finish porcelain or ceramic tiles are great for many reasons, from design aesthetic to the ease of cleaning. Matte tiles can give your space a more tranquil feeling due to the more natural look of the finish. Also, matte tiles are better at concealing smudges, dried water droplets and more.
Fab-crete is a porcelain matte tile that is a mix of two looks - fabric and concrete. The matte finish of Fab-crete has a subtle pattern and great texture. This line is available in 6 beautiful neutral colors which can go well in any virtually space.
Artisan is a subway line that is available in 6 colors in two finishes, glossy and matte. The matte finish of Artisan has a smooth texture which makes cleaning a breeze. We love how the matte colors in this line give a calm and comforting feeling.
Laredo is a matte only subway tile line available in 4 neutral colors. The slightly distressed edges on this line makes it perfect for a farmhouse aesthetic.
Paris is a marble look porcelain hexagon. Paris is a unique line because marble looks are known for being a polish or satin finish, not a matte finish. This line is a smooth matte finish making it perfect for floors or walls.
BATCH is a go-to subway line available in four shades of Grey and White in 4x12 in glossy and matte finishes. We love how the matte colors in this line are not dulled down due in the matte finish.
- by Kennadie McDermott
Create a beautiful backsplash, shower or accent wall with textured large format wall tile! More people are shifting to covering the entirety of their walls with tile, rather than just a mere backsplash or part of the wall for a shower. Larger tile that covers more space gives a harmonious look.
To start we have Esteem, a 12x24 white 3D patterned wall tile. This line is offered in a flat white as well. The 12x24 size is the most popular, making for a simple installation.
If you are covering a larger area or want even less grout lines, we have Vogue and Etch, two other white 3D wall tile lines that come in a 16x48 size. This unique size creates a seamless look that is easy to clean and maintain.
The classic subway style is shifting towards bigger sizes as the trend for large format tile increases. We currently have two lines that can be used for a large subway aesthetic, Motion and Velocity. These two lines are both 10x30 wall tiles that come in a flat and a deco. Motion is available in Bianco and Taupe with either a flat orange peel like texture or a ridged deco. Velocity is available in 2 colors, Bianco and Grigio in a glossy flat or glossy wave 3D pattern.
Gallant is another great option if you are looking to have your textured wall tile match your floor tile. Gallant, a cement look, comes in a flat porcelain floor and a linear textured deco tile for the walls. Gallant allows you to create a truly seamless look from floor to wall.
- by Kennadie McDermott
We love that color is back and is in full force in the tile world! Although there are many colors making a comeback, currently we are obsessed with all our blue tile. Adding a colored tile may seem daunting, but it is the perfect way to dip your toe into bold color design without diving in headfirst.
First, we start out with Emma Ocean and Sky. Emma comes in the classic subway shape of 3x6, 4x16 and 4x16 with a ripple relief to add a fun 3D pop to your wall. Emma is great because you can choose a classic shape with a vibrant color.
Emma Sky in the 4x16 ripple, pencil and 4x16
Next, we have Victoria II Sky. Victoria II is available in four sizes, the classic subway: 3x6 and 3x12, as well two modern shapes: a 6x6 square and a 4x8 elongated hexagon. Sky is the perfect light blue that will go with many cabinet and paint colors.
If you are looking for a bold pop of blue, look no further than Gusto Azul! Gusto comes in a 5 ¼ x 5 ¼ square in a honed and double-glazed deco finish and is impervious porcelain – making it perfect for floor or wall. The bright navy in Azul makes this gorgeous tile the perfect statement for any room!
Parkside is one of our lines that has a high variation look. Parkside has two blues, Navy and Seafoam. Both colors come in a 2.5x8 subway and 5x5 square, and the Navy is also available in a corresponding 7x8 porcelain hexagon.
Parkside Navy and Bianco in 2.5x8
Finally, we have Mallorca, one of our patterned lines that is filled with blue tones. Mallorca is a matte porcelain that is great for both floor and walls. We see Mallorca in laundry rooms, showers, and backsplashes! Mallorca looks lovely installed with solid colors as well, as shown below, to give a hint of color and pattern without being overwhelming.
