It’s always a good time to upgrade a bathroom. Whether you are looking to remodel your bathroom to raise the home’s value or to simply make it more comfortable, there are a few things that need to be considered. Here’s a look at some of the things to keep in mind when remodeling a bathroom in San Francisco, California.
1. Mind the Space
It’s entirely possible to fit a medium sized sink and a toilet within a space as small as 11-square feet, according to national building codes. But we’re guessing you will be dealing with a larger space, in which case you need to decide which of the vanities go where and how to make your bathroom space more efficient. While some bathrooms in San Francisco can be on the small side, when planning to remodel, design accessibility should be your first priority.
2. Add Niches
Rather than using bulky over-the-shower head organizers, try adding niches to the design that will work as a permanent location for the toiletries without taking any additional space. If you plan on putting your home on the market, then adding niches to its design is something that new buyers will likely appreciate.
3. Upgrade the Wiring
If you’ve been living in your home for a while, the 15-amp wiring that was installed by the previous owner probably needs to be replaced. Many homeowners make the mistake of simply swapping in the old with GFCI outlets. While that’s a good idea, you should replace the wiring as well. For instance, upgrading to a sturdier 20-amp circuit with plenty of outlets for the high-power hair dryer and other appliances is certainly going to be appreciated by potential new buyers.
4. Add Warmth to the Bathroom
The radiant heat that’s generated beneath the tiles can be comfortable, but it doesn’t have to be used throughout the house. When remodeling a bathroom, you can add in an electric mat that will boost the existing heating system in the bathroom. If you do go with the electric mat, you should pair it up with a programmable thermostat that will keep the heating just right. Including a pre-set thermostat will also help, since electric mats usually take up to 45 minutes to heat up.
5. Lighting
The lighting you use can either make or break a bathroom’s aesthetics. As a homeowner, you should always try to include as much natural light as possible to the remodeling of a bathroom, but if that’s not possible, you can easily upgrade the lighting in other ways. For instance, you can flank the bathroom mirror with fixtures that are placed at eye level and are ideally spaced out to make the most impact.
These were some of the things to consider before considering bathroom remodeling in the Bay Area.. Bathroom remodeling is always a great idea because it can single-handedly increase the resale value of any home.