
In part 1 we covered the big picture for starting a bathroom remodel. Now let’s talk about all the selections that go into making the bathroom remodel a reflection of your dream.
Selections (as they’re called in the remodeling world) are simply the fixtures that will be replacing the tired, old things that you want to change. These include:

- The finish on your faucet, shower/tub faucet, showerhead, and spigot. Choices are varied such as shiny chrome, brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, matted black, and yes, even gold. Typically, the same finish is used for all the parts. And with that is the style of fixtures that you like.
- Are the shower/tub walls going to be tiled and if so what kind of tile and what color grout? Will the tile go all the way to the ceiling or stop just above the shower head leaving an exposed area of wall that will need painted.
- Or are the tub walls going to be covered with quartz panels or prefabricated fiberglass/acrylic panels that may have a soap dish and niche molded into them?
- Will the tub be replaced or refinished? Replacing the tub allows you to get a deeper tub for soaking if that’s your wish. Refinishing is a cost-effective route but remember the finish is not as sturdy and can sometimes chip when a shampoo bottle or something similar is dropped on it.
- What about a new vanity? Do you want storage underneath or do you like the openness of a pedestal sink? Do you want to go from one sink to two? This decision may result in a higher plumbing cost due to the code requirement of 2” drain as opposed to 1-1/2” drain for one sink.
- And then there’s the sink(s). Are you thinking vessel sink which sits high on the counter but can be very stylish, a lower priced alternative is a drop-in sink that has a lip above the counter, or the currently popular undermount sink with a smooth transition and no lip?
- Now let’s think about flooring. There is the standard, very wallet friendly sheet vinyl that comes in many different styles and patterns. I don’t recommend self-adhesive vinyl tiles because they have a tendency to shrink which leaves a gap between the tiles that can’t be fixed and if the floor is not super clean and free of all dust the tiles will not stick properly and eventually will come loose. There are luxury vinyl planks (LVP) or luxury vinyl tile (LVT) that are a great option and very sturdy and most of them are 100% waterproof. Let the kids splash!! Finally, there’s tile which comes in all colors, shapes, designs, and sizes. And maybe you’ll want to think about having heating added to the floor before tile to make it super cozy especially with bare feet on a cold, winter morning.
- And then there’s the unmentionable…the toilet. All toilets are not created equal. The cheaper toilets may not have the smooth, porcelain finish on the insides (where you can’t see but everything goes) and this can create clogs. There are tankless toilets (one piece), toilets where the tank is in the wall (my favorite), dual flush toilets and if you want to really splurge you can get a toilet with a self-opening lid, UV sanitation, lights, heated seat, and bidet. If you can’t get them out of the bathroom now you definitely won’t be able to with this new gizmo!
- What about your color scheme? What color do you want to paint it? It is recommended not to use flat, or eggshell finish. Satin is ok but semi-gloss and gloss are the go-to’s for bathroom walls.
- And to wrap it all up there are the choices for towel bars (heated IS an option), towel rings, robe hooks and TP holder. Often the same finish chosen for the faucet is chosen for these as well.
That’s a lot of information! I covered most things, and this will give you a good start on getting your list together to start planning the big job.
Listen to Episodes 20 & 21 “Lets Talk Home Repair” for a discussion about this very subject.