As 2020 winds to a close, let’s say you’ve made the decision that you want to update your bathroom! Congratulations! Modernizing your bathroom can be such a fun project to embark on and it’s safe to say your options are endless in doing so. Over the years, our team at Stine-Nichols has had the opportunity to help out on plenty of various bathroom remodels. Some of these were complete makeover projects, while others were just slight cosmetic changes here and there. Nonetheless, it’s become evident that small changes can still make a big difference in the overall look and feel of a space.
This week’s blog post is meant to provide some inspiration for those considering a remodeling project. Whether that means tearing everything down and starting from scratch or just replacing a few things, we’re sure it’ll liven up the room!
Budget Remodels
If you’re trying to make some bathroom improvements while on a budget, you’ll be pleased to know there’s plenty of small changes you can make! Here’s a few of our favorites:
Update Faucets & Shower heads – Replacing fixtures with newer, modern designs and styles can quickly refresh the overall look of your bathroom. With so many well-known brands out there, you’ll have no trouble finding something that meshes with everything else. Furthermore, you can opt to go for higher-efficiency models that are better for the environment and can even save you a few bucks on your monthly water bill!
New Lighting Fixtures – Depending on the actual lighting fixture you purchase and the current set-up of your bathroom, keep in mind that this one might require some help from an electrician! In any case, lighting fixture updates can be the perfect complement to new bathroom fixtures. Additionally, if you don’t already have them, consider getting fixtures that have LED lights installed. LED technology has been proven to last longer, operate at an increased-efficiency level, and illuminate instantaneously, amongst other benefits!
Pick Up a New Toilet Seat – When was the last time you purchased a new toilet seat? If it’s been a few years, consider adding that to your list of upgrades. They’re inexpensive, available in various different styles, and can easily be installed in less than an hour!
Replace the Toilet Altogether – If you want to go a step further past replacing the toilet seat, consider upgrading your entire toilet! Gone are the days of all toilets seeming to be the exact same and purely being a functional fixture. The models available today give you the opportunity to have varying levels of efficiency, performance and even overall style, which this was simply not available even a decade ago! To provide some context to this, let’s take a quick look at Toto’s toilet product page. As you’ll see, they have all of the basic toilet options, as well as high-end models that go as high as $17,000!
Curious what a $17k toilet looks like? Click HERE. It’s remote control operated, uses only 1.0 GPF, has an air deodorizer, heated seat with temperature control, warm air-dryer functionality and utilizes their Actilight UV Light cleaning system. “Actilight elevates toilet cleaning to an extraordinary new dimension. Comprising a bacteria-neutralizing ultraviolet light and a titanium dioxide-fired toilet bowl, which is available on the NEOREST NX2, this extraordinary technology initiates a photocatalytic process that breaks down even microscopic waste particles.” In short, a $17k toilet is pretty darn cool!
Taking Advantage of Technology
Having been in the plumbing world for over 40 years now, I feel confident in saying it’s an industry that’s seen its fair share of technological advancements. Many of these, such as low-flow shower heads and tankless water heaters, have become industry norms, whilst some can still be considered premium options.
Leak Detection Devices – Catching leaks before they become major issues is a terrific goal to have as a homeowner. In 2020, there’s certainly plenty of gadgets and gizmos to ensure you’re always notified right away! Samsung sells their SmartThings Water Leak Sensor that connects directly to your mobile device. It alerts you when moisture is detected and allows the ability to turn off devices when water is detected. Moen, one of the leaders in the plumbing fixture industry, has their Moen Smart Water Detector with a similar set-up. It connects to your phone and truly does allow for 24/7 protection.
Touchless Fixtures – Considering how much of an impact Covid has had on this past year, it’s safe to say anything we can do to prevent the spread of germs is a worthwhile investment. While touchless fixtures have always been fairly popular in the commercial world, I wouldn’t be surprised if they become much more common in the residential space as well! In terms of manufacturers, nearly all of the traditional brands sell touchless models. Sloan, American Standard, you name it!
Bluetooth Shower heads – When it comes to “luxury” plumbing components, you have to consider a bluetooth-enabled showerhead to be luxurious. With this, you’re able to connect your phone with the showerhead and play some tunes while you’re in the shower! Kohler offers a few different affordable products in this market that are both stylish and durable.
Intelligent Toilets – Yep, even toilets have embraced some of these technological improvements! While plenty of “smart” toilets exist out there like the Toto mentioned above, we wanted to take a quick look at Kohler’s Intelligent Toilets. Here’s how they describe them on their website: “KOHLER intelligent toilets sense your approach, open automatically and close and flush when you leave. Or a heated seat that nestles you in luxurious warmth? Don’t forget the warm-water cleansing and warm-air drying to leave you feeling refreshed. And the deodorizing seat keeps the entire room fresh.” From touch-screen remotes to a built-in nightlight, the options are endless for toilets for 2020.
More Remodel Ideas!
If you’re looking to go a step further in your remodeling pursuit, it never hurts to have some added inspiration. Here’s a few trends we’ve noticed over the past few years that are starting to become quite popular!
Upgrade the Vanity or Cabinetry – What’s the current state of your bathroom vanity and cabinets? Are they still the original ones and an update would make a world of difference? This is going to be an easy way to achieve any particular style that you’re shooting for. If you want to go with an even more premium option, consider a floating vanity!
Freestanding Bathtub – Looking for a statement piece in your bathroom? Freestanding bathtubs are quickly growing in popularity in both the new construction and remodeling world! They have a sleek design and come in a few different styles to best match your vision.
Revamp Your Shower – You use it everyday, so why not make it something special?! A renovated walk-in shower can work for bathrooms of all sizes. Go for a clear glass shower door and then have the opportunity to select a tile for inside that you love! And when it comes to tile, trust us, you’ll have plenty to pick from!
Need Some Help With Your Remodel?
If the blog made one thing clear, I hope it’s that there’s no shortage of remodeling options nowadays! From simply replacing a fixture to implementing new technology or even starting from scratch, there’s more than a few ways to liven up the space. Here at Stine-Nichols, we’ve assisted on a number of bathroom remodels over the years. Some of the time this meant tearing out the drywall so we could re-do the piping layout, while other times it involved a quick service call to replace a few of the plumbing fixtures. In either case, it helped freshen up the room as a whole.
If you have been thinking about embarking on a remodel for your Kansas City home and need help on the plumbing aspects, don’t hesitate to give our team a call! In addition, if you also need assistance in other fields like electrical, we can recommend contractors that we work with on a routine basis! Happy remodeling!