Designers are notorious for putting their own projects on the back burner.  We are the proverbial “cobbler’s children without shoes” and tend to neglect our own design needs.  I believe this is true for many reasons.  We are either too busy working on our clients’ projects, or we have commitment issues because we see so many beautiful things, or perhaps we are just too tired to think about it all at the end of the day.  It is a curse.

Well this summer, I shook off the apathy and I finally tackled three projects I had been postponing for several years…renovating our secondary bathrooms.  Like most renovation projects it was time consuming, messy, inconvenient and cost more than I thought.  However, we got through it, and so can you.  Here are a few tips I can share…

• * If you are renovating multiple bathrooms, tackle one at a time.  This process requires countless selections and daily on-site decisions.  Focus on one design schematic at a time and do it well.  This also helps contain the mess to one room and causes less interruption to your daily life.  Also, if things don’t go well with your contractor, you are not committed to multiple projects with them.

• * Make all selections prior to demolition and have materials on-site before the contractor starts.  Doing so eliminates delays and contractors are more likely to focus on your job if everything is there for them.  Also, tap into your creative side and remember to have fun with selections.  Take advantage of the opportunity to consider a schematic you might not want in the bathroom you use every day.

Before pictures of secondary bathroom

During renovation

  

Complete update!

• * Select surfaces that are low maintenance.  Guests and children cannot be expected to worry about wet towels on delicate floors, water or make-up left on marble countertops or staining a gorgeous natural stone.  Keep materials simple and easy to clean.

• * You don’t have to undertake a total renovation.  Secondary bathrooms are perfect candidates for a cosmetic fix.  Changing the countertop but keeping the existing cabinets is always an option.  Also existing cabinets can be painted and new hardware installed instead of being replaced with new cabinets.  For an instant and beautiful update, replace an old shower door or curtain rod with a new frameless version.  New lighting and plumbing fixtures also go a long way to spruce up a bathroom.  And don’t forget the paint!  There is no better bang for your design dollars than paint.

Before picture of hall bathroom

Work in progress

A completely new look!

• * If the master bathroom has a big soaking tub, I recommend at least one secondary bathroom have a regular tub.  This is convenient for bathing small children.

• * If you have more than one secondary bathroom, consider removing the old tub and replacing it with a walk-in shower in one of the secondary bathrooms.  This is an instant update and provides much easier access for older guests.

Before picture of guest bathroom

During renovation

What an update!

The secondary bathroom is usually dedicated to children or guests, so it often does not demand our attention or allocated decorating funds.  And let’s be honest…it is not the most exciting room in the house.  However, after renovating mine, I can honestly say I wish we had done it sooner!