How to design a bathroom remodel—and when to start.

Ensure the success of your bathroom renovation by working with an Eheart professional. 

 

One of the best ways to maximize enjoying your space and increasing your home’s value at the same time is a bathroom remodel. A good remodel will fix any damage, wear and tear, save you space, increase your home’s value and usher this well-used room into the current decade.

 

Most people remodel their bathroom every 10-15 years. A good indicator it’s time for an update is when the bathroom is showing signs of damage like grout failing, mold/water issues, or a plumbing issue. That said, you don’t need damage to want a new look—with styles ever changing, we totally understand the desire for a cosmetic facelift.

 

Regardless of your reasons, our designers can help make your dream remodel a reality.

 

The best way to start is to reach out to Eheart Interior Solutions for a complimentary in-store consultation to discuss your project wish list and build a budget with one of our expert designers.  

 

We will then set up a time to come to your home to take measurements and begin putting together a quote for your project, with a few different budgetary options for you to pick and choose from.  

 

It’s wonderful to have a beautiful bathroom, but often the things that make up a quality remodel are behind the walls. Using excellent quality waterproofing systems and underlayments beneath your installed surfaces is a great way to preserve the life of your project for many years. Our designers will help you think through things like towel placement, storage, and safety features (such as grab bars). You may also want to include some luxuries, like a heated tile underlayment or bidet toilet seat—treat yourself!

 

From there, you’ll meet with your designer again to review the design and pricing in our showroom, and set up follow-up appointments as needed to refine the details. Once the details are solidified, orders are placed and the work will begin. Your designer and project manager will be with you every step of the way, coordinating design to installation and beyond.

 

Working with a design professional streamlines the process of having your bathroom remodeled, so you can focus on the fun parts and leave the heavy lifting to us. 

 

Contact us today to set up your free consultation. 

Home Remodel Return on Investment Guide

We love a good remodel. Not only does it spruce up your home and update the interior to your liking, it can also add tremendous value. In general, modest bathroom and kitchen remodels see an 80% return on investment. Follow these four tips to protect your remodel return on investment (ROI).

 

Tip #1: Keep it modest – Follow the 20% rule

Start your remodel planning process by getting a realistic understanding of your home’s value. You can figure this out by comparing sale prices of similar houses in your neighborhood, getting an appraisal, or using a site like Zillow. Once you know your home’s value, apply the 20% rule – spend no more than 20% of your home’s value on a bathroom or kitchen remodel. If you spend over 20%, you’re likely overdoing it and will see a diminished return on your financial investment.

Tip #2: Upgrade with future buyers in mind

When remodeling with a goal of ROI, a project budget should reflect a future buyer’s priorities and not just your own. For example, you might think that your cabinets are good quality and in good condition, but if they are made with a dated wood species, finish, or door style, no matter how many thousands of dollars you put into new countertops and backsplash, you’ll still end up with dated cabinets that aren’t relevant to most buyers. In fact, in some cases, it may make sense to spend less on the countertops and backsplash and prioritize an affordable cabinet replacement.

Tip #3: Design complete – The wow factor

What does design complete mean? Basically, you want visitors to enter your home after a remodel and say, “Wow! Did you just remodel?” If you are missing the “Wow factor,” home buyers will not assign value to what you consider a charming remodel. The key to achieving the “Wow factor” is having the discipline to focus on only the kitchen or the bathroom and allocate a realistic budget. A design complete remodel should fully transform the space. When you try to do too many things, it often comes out looking like the space was updated but not remodeled.

Tip #4: Is it sellable?

Ask yourself the question, “Is this remodel “sellable?” Would a potential buyer happily pay 80% of the remodel cost on top of the normal home price? The goal of the remodel is to create undeniable design improvements with mass appeal, now and in the future. Making remodel choices that are “sellable” can be difficult. Let your designer be your guide to the best, personalized remodel path. At Eheart, our designers provide several remodel paths for your style that all map to financial success.

Find the Best Time to Remodel with 6 Tips

Considering a renovation in your home but want to know the best time to remodel?

 

When planning a remodel, it is helpful to understand the timeline and potential speed bumps that you may encounter. At Eheart Interior Solutions, we are here to help guide our clients through the remodel process while providing tips and tricks that we’ve learned through years in the industry. Every remodel is different, but there are several common customer concerns that we can shed some light on to help make the process as fun and efficient as possible. 

Depending on the scale of your project, expect to have work being done in your home for potentially six to eight weeks. Prior to the in-home work, plan for materials to take up to six or eight weeks, as they are custom made for your remodel.

 

With that being said, here are a few tips to help you plan your remodel to best accommodate your lifestyle.

 

Think twice about summer as the time to remodel.

The common misconception is that summer is the ideal time to remodel because you have an outdoor living space and a grill. Actually, in our northern Colorado climate, there are enough sunny days that any season is perfect for a remodel. The only time that the season needs to be taken into account is for projects that include windows or pouring foundation. The drawback of remodeling in summer, which is usually overlooked, is that a remodel can displace your kids who are home from school for the summer.

 

Do not pick a time to remodel that is prior to an event you would like to host.

At Eheart, we do our best to meet every deadline, but unforeseen circumstances can always arise that lead to delays. For example, if you want to host Thanksgiving, plan your project for an end of October finish. That way, if any surprises or loose ends come up, your project will still be complete in time to set your table for Thanksgiving.

 

Consider planning your in-home work when you are going to be on vacation.

Even though you won’t likely be gone for the entire project, missing the less exciting steps, such as drywall installation, wouldn’t be a bad idea. Talk to your designer about any vacation plans you may have and see if it is possible to align them with your project timeline! Worried about contractors being in your house while you are away? Don’t be, you are in good hands. All of our partners are licensed, bonded, and insured and can certainly be trusted in your home. Just make sure you are somewhat reachable for questions during your vacation.

 

Have you started the bank financing process?

Often times, homeowners don’t realize that getting financing for their project often requires pre and post appraisals, along with other steps that can each take several weeks. Be sure to start this process early so that it doesn’t hold you back once you’re ready to order your materials.

 

It can never hurt to order your materials early.

A perk of working with Eheart Interior Solutions is our capability to hold onto your materials in our warehouse until you’re ready to begin the in-home portion of your project. With this option, customers have more flexibility throughout the scheduling process. The last thing you want is to be ready to start your project and have to wait nearly two months for your custom materials to arrive.

 

Planning a remodel doesn’t take as long as your think.

Often times, it only takes two to four weeks of planning before we are able to schedule a remodel and order materials. Our experienced designers are able to streamline the planning process to help you design your new dream room.

 

 

3 Designs to Create an Elegant 4-Piece Master Bathroom Layout

You’ve probably heard of the 4-piece master bathroom, in this blog we show you how to create a modern and practical 4-piece bathroom layout by removing the bathtub. This master bathroom layout without the tub allows you to exchange the unused area for more creative space. Here are 3 practical ways to re-purpose your bathtub space.

4-Piece Bathroom Layout with Linen Closet

We removed the underutilized bathtub and created a more luxurious and sophisticated shower complete with a granite seat and glass wall. With additional space, we built a spacious, double-door linen closet. This design maintained a compact footprint by only structurally impacting the bathtub and shower areas.

 

Before:

 

After:

 

4-Piece Bathroom Layout with Walk-in Shower

We replaced an acrylic bathtub with a large walk-in shower equipped with a waterfall shower head and an in-wall storage space.

 

Before:

 

After:

 

4-Piece Bathroom Layout with His/Her Shower

This complete remodel allowed for additional counter space, a seated vanity, and a deluxe shower. The shower features his and her shower heads and a fog free shave mirror.

 

Before:

After:

 

If you are looking to update your bathroom, we can help you select a practical layout and develop a sophisticated design to match your style.

7 Beautiful Ways to Use Subway Tile in Your Home

Classic, polished and clean, subway tile is like the “French manicure” of wall tile. In the past decade, subway tile has surged in popularity due to its versatility in complementing any space. When used in combination with starkly different design elements, subway tile allows the rest of the room to “speak” while making a subtle statement itself.
We’ve compiled just a few rooms that inspire us to install subway tiling in our homes. Which look is your favorite?

 

 

The reclaimed wooden elements are the focus of this kitchen when paired with the subway tile backsplash. The tile’s long and narrow sizing creates a unique contemporary look that complements the rustic elements of the room.

 

Photo by KitchenLab Design | Rebekah Zaveloff Interiors – Search traditional kitchen design ideas

 

This kitchen’s tiled walls don’t beg for all the attention, acting as the perfect backdrop to anchor the wooden window trimming and other surrounding traditional elements.

 

Photo by – Discover traditional kitchen design ideas
Complete with a yellow Labrador dog, this space represents a timelessly classic kitchen design. The beveled tile in the backsplash gives the wall some depth, making the white coloring more interesting to the eye. By using a white grout to set the tiles, individual tiles are not differentiated from each other and provide a clean looking design.

 

Photo by AN Builders Pty Ltd – Browse contemporary bathroom photos
Grout color becomes a design element when the tile covers this much of a room’s surface area. To create a uniform look with a highly contrasting black floor, the subway tile was laid in a grey grout. By outlining individual tiles the bathroom boasts a sophisticated minimalist design.

 

Photo by Highmark Builders – Browse traditional bathroom photos
An interesting twist on the traditional look, this shower is lined with elongated subway tiles cut from marble stone. Using tiles made of a material similar to the hexagon flooring gives the bathroom a comprehensive look.

 

Photo by Duet Design Group – Look for transitional bathroom design inspiration
Wondering what to pair with a bold, geometric floor tile? The simplicity of this shower backsplash creates an enduring look that has a modern, exceptional flair.

 

By mix and matching colors and shapes, this shower looks more like a contemporary art museum than a bathroom wall. Tiles made of glass give this shower an unpredictable design twist.