When I stood back to look at my newly renovated bathroom last January, I still could smell the new caulk. 9 Months of planning and 3 Months of construction later, I was still unsure if I made the right choices or if I simply followed the trends and will look dated by Christmas.
It’s now a Year since I finished renovating my bathroom and I’m pleased to say, most of the options I selected still feel good to me although, there are a few things I would do differently if I could turn back the clock to last winters tile selection.
I gambled big-time with selecting the large, textured tiles for the shower surround. You may know the ones, they resemble natural stone but have ridges that reflect light. My contractor told me they’d be harder to clean, and my mother-in-law told me they “looked too busy.” However, while taking showers, every single day, watching the light play across those textured surfaces I still enjoy them. As for the cleaning of the textured tiles? A good squeegee and a soft-bristled brush once a week does the job just fine.
What I am less thrilled about is the Gold hardware I was so excited about. Again, don’t get me wrong the Brushed Brass Faucet & Towel Bars looked great in Feb. However, I never realized that brass required maintenance and I have a spot where the finish is already wearing off due to my wedding band continually hitting it. If I could choose again, I’d probably opt for Brushed Nickel it may be less flashy, however, it would require less maintenance.
The Floating Vanity was another option that had me questioning my sanity for months. It felt so modern when I installed it; however, I was concerned it may appear to be too trendy for its own good. Surprisingly, it has been one of my best decisions. The additional visual space created makes the entire area seem larger, and I love being able to mop underneath it. Additionally, the kids no longer have a place to hide their stuff behind it as they used to with our previous cabinetry.
I splurged on Heated Floors which felt like pure luxury at the time, like some sort of magazine feature exclusive to the wealthy. However, stepping onto warm tiles each morning? Worth every penny of the additional expense. It’s one of those upgrades that become invisible until you no longer have it. When we spent Easter weekend at my sisters house, I actually missed my heated bathroom floor more than my own bed.
The Medicine Cabinet Mirror with Built-In Lighting was another splurge that has paid for itself. I struggled between this and a standard mirror with separate vanity lights partially based on price and primarily because I was uncertain about the look. The built-in lighting provides a clean and hotel-like appearance, which I still notice every time I enter. Additionally, the storage space behind the mirror is a game-changer no longer are all of the bottles on the counter.
One area where I truly missed the mark was with the Shower Niche. I wanted to have three individual areas for various products, which appeared to be a very organized and spa-like feature in my mind. Unfortunately, the dividers only create additional areas where soap scum accumulates and the center section is too narrow to hold most bottles. I’m constantly rearranging everything to accommodate them. If I could redo this, I would go with a single larger, more simple niche.
The Paint Color Benjamin Moore’s “Healing Aloe” was my greatest worry-inducing decision. Green in a bathroom felt risky, particularly this specific soft sage green, which appears to photograph entirely differently depending on lighting. I must have painted and repainted the sample patches 5 times. However, it has held up wonderfully and visitors often comment on how peaceful it feels. The color changes throughout the day in unexpected ways cooler and more sophisticated during the early morning hours, warmer and more cozy in the evening hours.
While I still love my Penny Tile Floor Choice the installation was more complex than I initially imagined. The contractor had to make multiple trips back to adjust the layout and there were heated debates regarding the grout color. We chose a light gray that holds soap residue better than white but is not as harsh as a darker gray. The design creates an underlying texture while walking that is intentional yet unobtrusive.
The Vessel Sink was likely my most impulsive decision I fell in love with this White Ceramic Bowl with Thin Gold Rim. It takes a beautiful photo, and I enjoy how it rests upon the countertop. However, positioning the faucet correctly to prevent splashing and cleaning around the bottom of the basin require more attention than a drop-in sink. Not a major concern, however, worth considering if you’re not naturally tidy.
Storage Solutions have been hit-or-miss. The Narrow Pullout Drawer I added beside the vanity is fantastic ideal for storing hair accessories and small miscellaneous items. However, the Over-the-Toilet Cabinet I believed would be so convenient? It’s too high to access easily, and I constantly forget what I’ve stored there. Thus, the majority of that space remains unused.
The largest surprise has been how much I appreciate the Ventilation Fan Upgrade. The newer fan is quieter and moves air more effectively than our previous model, which means the mirror does not fog-up as frequently and towels actually dry. While neither of these is a glamourous aspect, these practical improvements matter more than I originally thought.
In conclusion, the choices I made that still feel fresh are the ones that focused on creating a sense of usability vs. aesthetics. The heated floors, the proper lighting, and efficient ventilation none of these are Instagram worthy aspects, however, they make each day a little bit easier.
As for the purely aesthetic choices? Results were mixed. Some of the choices such as the paint color and textured tiles still feel right. Others, including the brass hardware and the overly complicated shower niche, feel more demanding than they’re worth.
If you’re planning on doing a bathroom renovation, I recommend thinking about your actual daily routines. How do you navigate through the space? What frustrates you about your current setup? Sometimes the most rewarding changes are those that resolve real-world problems rather than merely creating visually pleasing scenarios.
