Let’s face it: The thought of remodeling a bathroom is daunting. All of the decisions and costs involved push the feat further down your to-do list every month. Here are some helpful tips for keeping the cost (and workload) low, and the reward high:

Q: What are some trending color schemes in bathroom decor?

In the Atlanta market, we see most of our designers and homeowners going for a very classic style, with polished chrome or nickel faucets and marble countertops. Most clients are sticking to gray, white and cream color palettes to give them a classic and clean look.

Q: When remodeling a bathroom, where is the best place to start?

Start by contacting a plumber or contractor who can give you an idea of what will fit in your space, especially if you think you may move plumbing around the toilet or shower areas. Once you have an idea of the actual labor cost, it’s easier to select fixtures that will fit your budget. If you haven’t remodeled a bath in a long time, it would be a great idea to visit showrooms to see what some of the latest and greatest trends are.

Q: What are some things to consider before installing a freestanding bathtub?

Homeowners need to consult a builder or architect to make sure there is enough space to accommodate the freestanding tub, and that the floor will be strong enough to hold it. Depending on the material of the tub—acrylic, cast iron or stone—it can weigh more than 400 pounds. You don’t want that coming through the ceiling. Freestanding tubs are a great option when remodeling a smaller bath because they can take up less space than building a tub deck surround. They really open up the bathroom.

Q: Are there any new features that can be added to an existing bathroom to make it more current?

There are many ways to refresh a bathroom. Replacing sink and shower hardware with something more current, like brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze, is a great place to start. I would recommend updating the toilet to a stylish, high-efficiency model. Also, small tasks like changing the cabinet knobs or installing a hand-shower would update the bath without breaking the bank.

Q: Are there trendy ways to make the bathroom more environment-friendly?

Changing your toilet to the new 1.28 gallons-per-flush, high-efficiency model is one thing you can do to save the most water. People still using 3+ gallons are using almost 300 gallons more per person a month than those who have upgraded to the new toilet flushing systems. Most manufacturers are coming out with 1.75 gallons-per-minute showerheads to cut back on wasted water in the shower. Thanks to air-injected technology, companies are able to produce heads that use less water and still have great pressure.

Plumbing Distributors Inc.
Mary Soeder
Showroom Assistant
www.relyonpdi.com
(404) 352-5003