Stay On-Trend With These Easy Bathroom Renovations

Your bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your entire home. That means it’s never a bad time to add and improve things for a better design, greater comfort, lower energy bills, and a higher home value. 

But a new and improved bathroom doesn’t have to take up all your time. Here are a few ways you can keep up with the trends without sacrificing all your time. 

 

Maintain Your Baseboard Heating 

 A white Baseboarders heater cover against a white bathroom wall.

Does your bathroom have baseboard heating? One of the easiest ways to protect it long-term is through these simple maintenance projects: 

 

  1. Clean your unit, removing any dust and debris accumulation 
  2. Check for rust and general damage 

  3. Open the bleed valve and replace the flushed liquid (if you have a hydronic unit) 

  4. Install a Baseboarders® heater cover for enhanced protection 

 

Built from 22–24-gauge galvanized steel, a Baseboarders® heater cover keeps your baseboard heating at its best for years to come, saving you plenty of money in the process. 

 

Incorporate Natural Materials 

A stone basin sink with a copper faucet.

Bringing the outside world inside your bathroom is a growing renovation trend. That’s especially evident in the types of materials that are being used. Wood, stone, handmade tile, and concrete are must-have materials for sinks, vanities, and everything in between. 

Here are a few easy projects that involve natural materials: 

 

  1. Vanity: Replace your old vanity with your choice of wooden material for a natural look and feel 
  2. Sink: Swapping your old sink for a stone vessel sink adds natural beauty that’s hard to replicate with other materials 

  3. Shelving: Adding wooden shelving for a beauty boost and better storage

  4. Accessories: Concrete, decorative objects, artwork, and stone ceramics are excellent accents for natural bathroom aesthetics 

 

These projects can be spread out over a few days or completed immediately if you’re only adding décor. 

 

Shift to More Sustainable Features 

Sustainable features aren’t going away any time soon, and it’s easy to see why. For a family of four, the EPA estimates that flushing the toilet, taking a shower, and running the sink can add up to 400 gallons of water used per day from your bathroom alone. That means higher utility bills on top of the electricity used for lighting and heating your bathroom. 

Want to cut back on water and power in your bathroom? Some energy saving bathroom upgrades include: 

 

  1. Replacing Your Water Fixtures: Cut back on water usage by replacing your shower head and/or faucet with an EPA-approved WaterSense product. 
  2. Using Natural Light to Your Advantage: One of the simplest ways to heat your bathroom in the winter is by keeping your blinds open. You’ll save money on heating and lighting while maintaining a comfortable temperature. When it’s summertime, simply close them back again to cut costs and keep things cool. 

  3. Choosing New, Energy-Efficient Windows: Take lighting and heating a step further by swapping your old bathroom window or skylight for an ENERGY STAR-certified model. Using ENERGY STAR windows lowers energy costs by 12% on average. 

  4. Installing LED lightbulbs: LED lights use up to 90% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. While they are more expensive upfront, you’ll save much more in the long run. 

 

In addition to these upgrades, adding plants will purify your air while giving you a natural look that’s comfortable, calming, and aesthetically pleasing. 

 

Go All-In on Accents 

A dark green vanity contrasting with a white bathroom wall with duel mirrors and two towel racks.

Just like your living room or bedroom, bathrooms benefit from contrast. One of the best ways to add contrast is through an accent wall, a wall that’s totally different from the other walls. 

There are a couple of materials that are great for adding contrast: 

 

  1. Terrazzo Tile: Terrazzo tile is one of the hottest tiles on the renovation market. With its vibrant color schemes, unique stone patterns, and simple upkeep, choosing terrazzo tile for an accent wall is a no-brainer. Some of its most common placements include the shower area and behind the sink. 
  2. Mirrors: Switch things up with irregularly shaped mirrors or mirrors with built-in lighting. Even a perfectly centered mirror becomes an accent wall when the rest of the bathroom is more loosely defined. 

  3. Cabinets: Bold-colored cabinetry gives your bathroom wall of choice more texture and character. Conversely, colder colors against a warmer bathroom will provide a similar effect.  

 

Tile projects typically take around 1 to 3 days, new mirrors can be hung in minutes, and new, ready-to-assemble cabinets from our sister company, RTA Cabinet Store, take a day or two, depending on your availability. Needless to say, it’s not that difficult to make a statement with a new accent wall. 

 

Thanks to these straightforward upgrades, you’ll keep your bathroom trendy, modern, and efficient in a week or less. Want to learn how to save even more money on your bathroom remodel? 

 

Bathroom Remodeling on a Budget

DIY Renovation Trends