Primary Bathroom Update Advice

28 days ago

We want to update our primary bathroom but we are not sure if we should gut and start over or can get by with small changes. Would love to change the tile and redo the shower especially. I want to keep a tub, should we replace the jacuzzi tub with another drop in soaker tub with a built in surround or do a free-standing tub? I feel like I would miss the ledges around the tub to set things on because I do use the tub. I also don’t know if it would be a pain to clean around the tub. Any built in tubs that would look more updated? Any advice if we happen to sell within a couple years also?

Featured Answer

millworkman

28 days ago

" Would love to change the tile and redo the shower especially. "

If you do you may as well go for the gut as you cannot just change the shower tile. There needs to be a waterproofing system under the tile. Definitely lose the jacuzzi tub and I would put in a built-in as a freestanding takes up too much space once you factor in room around it for cleaning.

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Comments (11)

HU-187528210
28 days ago
You have to decide if you’re gutting or not, before we can offer design ideas.
If you resell,
You probably want to ask a local realtor if it’ll add enough value to gut.
You also want to consider the rest of the home.
I personally wouldn’t need a brand new, fully glammed bathroom if the rest of the house was in the same era/ condition as the bathroom is right now.
I’d prefer a cohesive home rather than an updated bathroom and an older kitchen…
Does that make sense?
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I really would not do the wood accent feature in your house. I think it can limit furniture placement and is not easily reversible without a lot of scraping spackling and sanding. At least with wallpaper, if the wall is properly primed and sized you can remove it down to the wall surface without damaging the wall fairly easily. I also think based upon your other projects that your house is maybe too sophisticated for it. The big place I see it is on flipping TV shows were they are trying to get big impact for very little money and trying to avoid having something "too taste specific" like art or a wallcovering. It's a little low-end in your case, and in general the idea is at it's sell by __ date in my opinion. Still cute in certain place, but not here. If budget is not really a major concern, Phillip Jeffries, Thibaut and Schumacher all make nice wallcoverings including some murals. Phillip Jeffries has a lot of great grasscloths and other natural papers. If you like things a little offbeat, look at Cole and Sons
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HU-187528210
28 days ago
I do like the floor tile, and think it’s workable. But it’s your decision if you want to start over or not.
RedRyder
28 days ago
It’s probably a full gut job. Find out what it will cost you and assess the money/time/aggravation of redoing a bathroom if you are thinking of selling.
KW PNW Z8
28 days ago
As stated already, decision depends on budget, what the rest of home looks like update wise & your current plan for length of time you’ll stay in this home. You could change the look & feel of this bath with a frameless glass shower surround, new drop in tub - skip the jacuzzi, new counter top, mirror, lighting, cabinet hardware & fixtures. This leaves current cabinets & all tile in place & they do appear to be in good shape.
thinkdesignlive
28 days ago
I agree with KW^^^
thinkdesignlive
28 days ago
That’s assuming the shower tile is in good shape.
kl23
24 days ago
@Lois
If you think you may be moving in a couple years, just leave it for the next person. They'll enjoy thinking they are so smart by replacing the shower and tub. Meanwhile, you can focus on remodeling your new place...much more fun!
If you decide to stay, I'm looking at your "bathrooms" idea book, and it looks to me like you are heading towards gutting yours. You like a different cabinet style now, and it looks like you are drawn towards some changes around function too. I suggest adding a bathroom floorplan to your original post to get real creativity going. And then tell us about your overall home design to ensure cohesiveness.

Regarding the free-standing bathtub vs the alcove bathtub, you like the function of the alcove. To get that same function in a freestanding, you'll be told to add little tables/stools or a narrow shelf on the back wall. Those will add to the already increased cleaning challenge. I vote function before form and keeping the alcove tub, maybe even adding to the privacy by building out walls. When you are enjoying your tub, is the bathroom yours or can someone walk in to use the toilet? Break the mood?
Lois
Original Author
24 days ago
No problem, cliffordhome! Thanks for your comments and suggestions everyone. We have gotten a professional itemized quote and waiting on another. It was more $$ than we thought, and IF we sell within 2 years it might not make sense. At the very least, I feel like we need to spruce up the shower tile and pan just to sell. It’s a 27 year old home and the shower pan doesn’t even come clean anymore it is stained. Your comments have confirmed keeping a drop in/alcove tub. Function over form is better than what’s trendy for me anyway. Who wants to clean more floor around tight spots? In response to HU-187528210, I do understand what you’re saying. Our kitchen has original cabinets, has updated granite countertops, but overall, kitchen is dated. Your comment really makes sense.
KW PNW Z8
24 days ago
@Lois Might be $$ to ”spruce up tile & shower pan…” too. If you replace shower tile it won’t match the rest of tile in bath & the wall / waterproofing will need replacing. My bet is a shower pan can’t be replaced without damage to wall waterproofing either but I could be wrong. Is that a fiberglass pan? You could have it refinished to improve the appearance & extend the life a few years. The shower tile could be regrouted too with matching grout. That would make it worth replacing the shower glass - take it off before regrouting tile & refinishing pan. Replace hardware, counter & sinks on cabinet & you have medium cost face lift to enjoy for yourselves until you sell in a couple of years.
kl23
24 days ago
I wouldn't fix a thing for just style. Focus on anything that's not functioning instead.