When selecting the right bathroom layout for your home, you need to consider both functionality and aesthetics. Start with the size and shape of your space. Larger areas accommodate a separate shower and tub, while compact bathrooms could benefit from combined units or a corner shower to save space. Think about who uses the bathroom and how.
Bathroom Remodeling In Chicago, IL
How to Choose the Right Bathroom Layout for Your Home
A family bathroom requires different features, such as double sinks, compared to a guest bathroom. Storage is another critical factor. Look for ways to incorporate cabinets, shelves, or niches to organize essentials.
Lighting also plays an important role in the bathroom’s functionality and mood. Opt for a mix of task, ambient, and accent lighting.
Finally, consider the plumbing. Keeping fixtures like toilets and sinks in their existing locations will reduce remodeling costs.
Drawing on two decades of expertise, the approach that yields the best outcomes begins with understanding your initial thoughts and expectations for the remodel. Following this, the recommended step is to arrange an in-home consultation. During a visit lasting 30-45 minutes, we collaboratively chart out the most effective remodeling strategy and phases for your bathroom.
The Importance of Quality Materials in Bathroom Remodels
For a bathroom remodel that stands the test of time, choosing quality materials is non-negotiable. Durability means less frequent replacements, which saves money in the long run. High-grade tiles prevent mold and water damage, ensuring a healthier environment. Quality fixtures and faucets add elegance and guarantee superior performance and longevity.
Eco-friendly materials improve indoor air quality, making your home safer for your family.
Based on 2-decade experience in bathroom remodeling, we advise selecting materials that blend functionality with style so remodeling meets high standards of quality and sustainability. Your bathroom improvement is an investment in your home’s future.
For bathroom remodeling, a range of durable materials is important if you want quality and longevity.
Tiles like anti-slip, vitrified, ceramic, and slate offer various benefits, from moisture resistance to durability and aesthetic appeal, and are suitable for different areas within the bathroom.
Concrete, as a versatile material, can be used for walls, floors, and bath surrounds, offering a luxurious yet cost-effective choice.
Wood adds warmth and class, and with proper treatment, it can be made durable against moisture.
Marble, known for its visual impact, improves the waterproofing and luxury of the bathroom.
Glass is recommended for showers to add elegance and create the illusion of more space.
Countertops
For countertops, options like engineered quartz, laminate, and crushed glass provide durability, aesthetic variety, and unique designs.
Cast polymer is another durable choice for sinks, vanities, and bathtubs, though its gel coating may require maintenance.
Bathroom Flooring
For flooring, sheet vinyl stands out for its resistance to heavy use and availability in numerous designs. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are popular for their durability and water resistance, making them an excellent choice for bathroom areas.
Bathroom Remodeling Costs in Chicago
When giving you the quote for your bathroom remodeling in Chicago and the suburbs, we consider:
- size,
- finish level,
- project scope, and
- additional required services to estimate costs accurately.
Costs vary significantly, with low-cost renovations starting at $16,500, mid-grade at $26,000, and high-end at $37,500, including all materials, labor, and overhead.
The size of your bathroom directly impacts costs, with larger spaces and more fixtures increasing expenses. Finish levels range from budget options to luxury finishes, significantly affecting the overall cost.
Costs also differ depending on whether you’re doing a “rip-and-replace” renovation or a full gut renovation, the latter of which involves more comprehensive changes and requires professional design and architectural input.
To accurately assess the costs, we arrange a visit with you. Following a 30-45 minute period, during which we gain a comprehensive understanding of your preferences and conduct measurements, we are positioned to offer a precise estimate.
Occasionally, further research and consultations with our specialists become necessary, particularly for requests involving custom-made furniture, unique lighting solutions, or any distinct remodeling projects, to accurately determine the associated costs.
Trends in Bathroom Design: What’s Popular in Chicago
In Chicago and its suburbs, bathroom design trends for 2024 are steering toward a blend of functionality, aesthetic appeal, and sustainability. A departure from all-white themes, current preferences lean towards natural earth tones, vibrant colors, and even clashing patterns for a dynamic look.
Incorporating elements like Mediterranean style, neutral colors for longevity, and deluxe items has become popular in recent years. Materials like stone, marble, natural wood, and metallic accents are favored for their texture and visual impact, with vintage and repurposed items adding a unique touch.
Eco-friendly features are increasingly important, with a focus on reclaimed materials and water-conserving fixtures. Tech advancements offer improved convenience through smart toilets, touchless faucets, and mood-adjustable LED lighting.
Freestanding tubs, organic products, and vanity mirrors cater to personal tastes while the space remains trendy and timeless.
Modern bathroom design trends will update the look and increase the home’s resale value, combining contemporary appeal with comfort and eco-friendliness. At the core of your vision is personalization — weaving individual style into modern trends.
Waterproofing and Ventilation
Waterproofing in bathroom remodeling prevents mold, mildew, and structural damage by creating a moisture-resistant environment, extending the lifespan of bathroom finishes and fixtures.
Mold
Mold is a fungus that grows in damp places. It comes in colors like black, green, or white. Mold can damage homes because it down surfaces like wood. It’s harmful to health, especially for those with allergies or asthma. Mold exposure has a high chance of causing coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It might also trigger sneezing, itching, and rashes.
Black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum, is particularly dangerous. It produces toxins that may lead to serious health issues, including neurological damage. In severe cases, it can be fatal. To prevent mold, keep areas dry, fix leaks, and use dehumidifiers. If you find mold, professional removal is essential to protect health and property.
Mildew
Mildew is a type of fungus that forms as a thin, superficial coating on various surfaces, including organic materials like paper, leather, and fabrics, as well as damp areas around buildings, such as walls and floors, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. It is characterized by a powdery or fluffy appearance and can vary in color, typically appearing white, gray, or yellow.
Mildew thrives in moist, warm conditions and can cause a musty odor. It’s less harmful than mold but still contributes to allergic reactions and respiratory issues in sensitive individuals. Regular cleaning and maintaining dry conditions are effective ways to prevent its growth.
How to Improve Bathroom Safety and Secure Healthy Conditions
Improving your bathroom safety and securing a healthy environment requires techniques like sealing walls and floors and using water-resistant materials, ultimately saving on costly repairs.
Improved ventilation, through the installation of exhaust fans, effectively removes humid air, odors, and pollutants, safeguarding the health of the household by reducing the risk of respiratory problems and allergies. It also protects against moisture damage to paint, grout, and cabinetry, contributing to the overall durability and cleanliness of the bathroom.
Moreover, efficient ventilation contributes to energy savings by reducing the need for excessive air conditioning or heating to manage humidity levels, enhancing the bathroom’s comfort and usability.
The Role of Lighting in Bathroom Remodels
Installing a waterproof, recessed light in your shower area guarantees that every corner is well-lit, making sure you don’t miss any details. Properly installed lights improve the overall appeal of your bathroom, helping you relax and leave dark thoughts behind. Finally, good lightning increases your safety, and it lowers the risk of slipping and hurting yourself.
Lighting and Kids
If you have kids, they will enjoy a brightly lit bathroom. We can create the dance of light for them. They’ll enjoy every moment while brushing their teeth or taking a bath.
If your kid wakes up during the night, it’s extremely important to provide good, calming lighting. Young children are often afraid of the dark, and certain colors might help with their night fears.
If you are unsure about the optimal lighting for your bathroom, during our visit, we’ll suggest multiple options and help you imagine them.
Also, we can direct you to where to look for ideas and how to choose the optimal solution for your family.
Custom Cabinetry and Vanity Options
Planning your bathroom remodel brings a world of storage possibilities into focus. Open shelves transform mere storage into a design statement, allowing you to artfully display essentials atop elegant wood or marble, instantly bringing out the true potential of your bathroom.
If you want a clutter-free environment, the trusty medicine cabinet emerges as a sleek solution. Concealed behind a mirrored front, it offers a discreet haven for all your toiletries, blending seamlessly into the wall or affixing neatly on the surface.
Thinking of going open with your vanity?
If you’re the type that needs a spot for everything, consider this: modern vanities come with clever storage solutions that hide the mess while keeping everything within arm’s reach.
Energy-Efficient Fixtures in Bathrooms
Your bathroom, often overlooked as a simple necessity, is a powerhouse of energy consumption. Consider transforming your space with modern, energy-efficient upgrades that lower your energy bills and offer a sleek, stylish aesthetic.
LED lighting steps into the spotlight, offering a brilliant range of colors from warm hues to cool tones while slashing your energy use. Low-cost bulbs boast an impressive lifespan and promise to illuminate your vanity without frequent replacements.
High-efficiency toilet
A hero in water conservation, leveraging water velocity to reduce gallons per flush. Upgrading to a high-efficiency toilet will decrease your water bills, making each flush a victory for your wallet and the planet.
Bathroom Fan
An Energy-Star-certified ventilation fan excels in silent operation and superior air movement, which is necessary for preventing moisture without the energy drain.
We highly recommend installing it during the remodeling process; it will be much easier to do during the work than later.
Showerhead and Faucet
Showerheads and faucets are often unused heroes of water conservation. Upgrading to low-flow models curtails your water use, proving that luxury and sustainability can coexist in your bathroom sanctuary.
Implement a variety of different energy-efficient upgrades, and you’re not just remodeling a bathroom; you’re setting the stage for daily savings, comfort, and a stylish nod to sustainability.
Based on best practices and your wishes, together, we can plan all the improvements you should implement to protect nature and your wallet while maintaining the style and atmosphere that is best for your family.
The Impact of Bathroom Remodels on Home Value
Renovating your bathroom goes beyond aesthetics—it’s an investment that will improve your home’s monetary value. While minor decor updates refresh the space, full bathroom remodeling ranks among the top ways to increase your property’s market price.
In 2022, the average cost of a full bathroom renovation was $26,574, with an expected return on investment of about 60%, or roughly $15,944 upon resale. Uplifts in home value are seen across all 50 states, indicating that a well-executed bathroom makeover ultimately pays for itself and also improves your home’s resale value.
However, it’s very important to balance spending with strategic improvements, particularly in older bathrooms, where outdated fixtures detract from potential buyers’ interest. Geographic location also influences costs and returns, making it necessary to tailor your renovation plans to maximize your investment.
Ultimately, a thoughtfully planned bathroom remodel offers a dual benefit: it creates a superior, comfortable living experience while boosting your home’s value.
