While the kitchen remains the most popular and most expensive to renovate, the bathroom is not far away behind. If you are looking to remodel, maybe converting your bathroom to a walk-in shower, you may want to set a fair amount of money as bathroom remodeling costs tend to skew towards expenses and labor. Experts approximate that it will cost you between $3,000 to $30,000 to renovate a bathroom. Double that if something goes terribly wrong! So, what walk-in shower design mistakes should you be looking out for, and what can you do about them? Read on to find out!
Planning the design before selecting the showerhead
If you have a specific shower head you want to buy, make sure you buy it before designing your bathroom. Showerheads often affect your planning of a barrier-free shower area in many ways. For instance, a standard traditional showerhead gushes water more forcefully and in different directions than a rainfall showerhead. Let your contractor know the type of shower head you like ahead of the planning. If you are not sure what you want, they can suggest appropriate designs based on your bathroom plan.
Incorrect measurements when creating separate zones
Inaccurate measurements are the costliest mistake you can ever make, especially if you want to work in multiple elements in your design. The planning requires utmost attention and taking into account the tiny details like how the door opens. A good rule of the thumb is to measure twice before buying any materials to avoid misfitting and other mishaps. Think about how drawers and doors will open, how you will move through the room, and the amount of space you need. If there is enough space, make your bathroom more functional and welcoming by correctly adding useful fixtures in place.
Worrying or overthinking about space
Space is always a critical factor, but not when you are considering a walk-in shower. Unlike typical bathrooms with bathtubs and shower, walk-in showers only require enough room to stand and turn, which takes very little space. In fact, walk-in showers are space friendly and ironically make your bathroom feel bigger. Your contractor can advise on partitioning for the toilet, vanity, and shower, depending on the design you want
Failing to provide shower privacy
If you share your bathroom with the family, it’s essential to consider the required comfort and privacy levels. Walk-in showers are nothing like your standard shower with a curtain. If you live alone, you may need more time to adjust to having a clear glass enclosure or zero barriers. However, if there are people involved, privacy is a significant concern. Consider frosted glass, semi enclosure, or any other option towards that line.
Not considering maintenance
One of the most significant disadvantages of walk-in showers is high maintenance. In most cases, they need frequent cleaning every time you shower, which can negatively impact how you enjoy the shower. It can make you feel like it’s more of a chore than a refreshing moment. Therefore, look at all your wall options like natural stone, larger tiles, engineered stone, or laminated panels carefully and make a wise choice. Your contractor can also provide input on the best grout options that won’t need frequent scrubbing or breed mildew.
Not anticipating the temperature changes
Keep in mind that a walk-in shower has its own comfort and discomfort levels. For instance, you will have to get used to showering while standing and the temperature difference that comes with a barrier-free shower. The shower curtain you took for granted contains steam and heat that made you warm and cozy. You will feel some slight chills immediately you enter and when leaving if you ignore the temperatures. To solve this, you can opt for heated lamps or floors or add a partial barrier to hold some steam.
