Inspiration for your bathroom renovation

By Angie Kendel

The Winnipeg Renovation Show is just around the corner. This year, it is from January 10–12 at the RBC Convention Centre. It is the perfect place to get inspiration for your upcoming kitchen or bathroom renovation. The best vendors in the city are there, ready to inspire and assist you!

What are some of the most common questions we are asked when it comes to renovating a bathroom? How do we get more space? When possible, most clients try to make their bathrooms larger, claiming additional space from adjoining closets, or other rooms when possible. For many homes, the main bathroom is typically 35 sq ft to around 50 sq ft. However, if we get creative, we can often change the layout of the space to make the space feel larger and function better for the family.

Another frequently asked question is whether to remove the bathtub? Is this the only bathtub in the home? How long do you plan on remaining in the home? If it is the only bathtub and you might
decide to sell in the next five years, my recommendation is to keep the bathtub. Many buyers with younger children want a bathtub when purchasing a home. A home without a bathtub may make your home less appealing to prospective buyers down the road.

However, if you intend to remain in the home for many years and want to make changes that will make your home more comfortable for you, then yes, replace an unused tub with a shower that will be used daily! It is a fine balance between considering resale and functional use of the space.

On the other end of the spectrum are the clients who want to replace a regular bathtub with a freestanding model. There are so many beautiful options to choose from! It is important to consider easy access for shampoos and soaps with a freestanding tub option. Allow for additional space for a bench or small table for your towel and shampoos.

Once we have determined the layout, the over style and materials selection is critical to a successful renovation. We typically want to ensure we are keeping your colour scheme consistent so the new renovation blends well with other areas of your home and/or future renovation plans. More people are now opting for tile shower and tub surrounds versus the all in one acrylic enclosures. Tile allows us the flexibility of creating a unique design within a given budget creating a more luxurious finish. Tiles can be installed vertically, herringbone, with eye catching accent tiles, horizontally, or any combination of these. There are options for a built-in niche for shampoo and washes. We can really have some fun with the selections available to create a unique style!

Storage can be incorporated in the vanity or have additional storage towers built on top of the vanity. There are many different options available including hanging vanities that are open below for easy cleaning or having storage baskets below. More people are opting for a bank of drawers versus a single drawer with an opening door. Most clients prefer a decorative mirror over the vanity to a medicine cabinet/mirror option.

Fixtures have so many options. It is a matter of personal preference and finish. Some clients love chrome, brushed nickel, while others love more trendy finishes like black. Showers have many different options for function from an overhead rain shower, a wall mount rain shower, the option to have both an overhead and wall at the same time, a wand handheld option, body sprays, steam options, etc.

There are so many options it is important to review them with a designer to ensure you get what you want, and it is in your budget. The plumbing costs also increase as you add more options, so this needs to be factored into your budget. Rolling shower doors are typically preferred over a pivot door. A pivot door opens into your bathroom and can make a small space feel even tighter. 

There are many factors to consider when planning a bathroom reno. I will be offering a stage presentation on Planning a bathroom at the Winnipeg Renovation Show on Friday, Jan. 10 at 4:00 pm, Saturday, Jan. 11 at 2:30 pm and Sunday Jan. 12 at 2:00 pm will be stage presentations on Planning a Kitchen Renovation. Feel free to use our Promo Code for a discount on tickets! https://winnipegrenovationshow.tix123.com/?disc=KATRENO

Hope to see you there!