Five Ways to Transform Your Uninspired Bathroom into an Energizing Retreat
What is it about your bathroom that energizes or inspires you? How often do you smile in your bathroom?
While these may seem like odd questions to consider, the fact is that most of us will spend around 200 hours per year in our bathrooms, getting ready for our day, getting ready for bed and taking care of personal needs.
So, shouldn’t our bathrooms be as welcoming and inspiring as they can be? After all, they’re just as much a part of the living space as the rest of the home.
Your bathroom deserves the same attention to style and vibe as any other room in your house. Whether your bathroom is challenged by size, layout or lacks style and vitality, here are five things to consider when taking on the challenge of transforming your sleepy, uninspired bathroom into a refreshing retreat.
Walls: Move beyond boring
While it may make sense to keep a neutral color palate for your flooring, tile and fixtures, why not add non-neutral colors, patterns or whimsy to your walls? You can easily accomplish this with paint and wallpaper. Something as simple as a fresh coat of paint in a bright and bold color can go a long way towards transforming the vibe of a space. Be careful and consider hues that are flattering to your skin tone and work well with your bathroom lighting. Whatever color you put on the walls will be visible in the background every time you use the mirror.
If you want a more drastic change in pattern, color or texture, consider using wallpaper. Botanicals, graphic patterns and even whimsical animal prints can be used to make a room appear larger, more inviting or playful. Be careful and choose moisture-resistant wallpaper for your bathroom, as that will help you get more mileage out of it before it needs replacing.
Artwork: Big and Bold? Why Not?
Do you have artwork on display throughout the other areas of your home? How about your bathroom? A lot of homeowners have small pieces of framed art or artsy accessories in the bathroom. But what about those bigger pieces of wall art? Or even sculpture? If you have the available square footage, a large piece of wall art or sculpture in the bathroom can make a statement. It can create a focal point, become an instant conversation piece or become part of your daily morning inspiration.
Furniture: In the bathroom?
Sure. If you’ve got the space, and certainly if you already have a routine of getting dressed in the bathroom, you may want to consider placing a stool, bench or chair in that room to make it look and feel more comfortable. Also, a small dresser or table can increase storage space, while adding style. Again, be sure to select items that can thrive in a higher humidity environment.
Tech: Mood Setting and Comfort
We all lead busy, hectic lives. And we all use technology to make our lives easier and more comfortable. Simple tech, like infrared lamps and LED lighting can help set the mood of a space, as well as provide comforting warmth after a shower on a wintery day. Are you a music lover? Do you regularly listen to podcasts? We spend time and money making sure we can listen to music and podcasts in our vehicles and with our outdoor living spaces. Why not make the same allowance for our listening preferences in the bathroom? If you are considering a whole-house audio system for your home, consider adding moisture-resistant speakers to your bathrooms. For some of us, listening to our favorite music or podcast while bathing can provide just the kind of kick start to the day that we need.
Creative Solutions: Think Outside the Box
Do you have a tiny bathroom or a challenging bathroom layout? The right paint color or wallpaper pattern can add the illusion of space to a tiny room. If your tiny bathroom requires a shower, consider converting it into a wet room – a bathroom that is waterproofed and installed with a room drain and flush floor transition from the shower and the rest of the room. Smaller bathrooms can also benefit from creative solutions such as corner sinks and floating vanities. Pocket doors can also be a lifesaver for small spaces.
If tiny isn’t your problem and you’ve got a little too much space in your bathroom, consider renovating the space to divide it into a separate wet room and dressing room. Wet rooms don’t have to be tiny.
With help from local suppliers, designers, and qualified contractors and trades, every homeowner should have the opportunity to create the exact style of living they want. Changes can be small and incremental, or they can be big and bold. Either way, qualified contractors should have the experience necessary to come up with options to completely remodel your living spaces and turn them into fully functional and beautiful dream spaces.
Alair Homes – Decatur (Alair Homes Decatur) is dedicated to helping homeowners renovate living spaces into dream spaces. We specialize in all areas of home renovation and redesign. And we are experts at adding style, flow, and functionality to your spaces. Contact us today to discuss your next home renovation project.