Bathrooms
May 5, 2020
Feasby & Bleeks’ Step-By-Step Guide To Planning Your Dream Bathroom
Erin Feasby (left) and Cindy Bleeks regularly appear in the pages of H&H and are proven reader favorites (they were voted our 2019 Home Of The Year). The childhood friends’ Toronto design studio has been a source of inspiring interiors since 2009. Known for creating spaces that are comfortable and family-friendly yet sophisticated, they certainly know how to design a gorgeous bathroom. Erin and Cindy share advice to zone in on the planning and priorities you need to make — long before you pull up a shopping cart. If you’re dreaming about upgrading your own bathroom, scroll down to discover their on-point tips for bringing your vision closer to reality.
Start Gathering Ideas
“Creating Instagram collections from our ‘saved images’ is one of our favorite ways to compile ideas. (Let’s admit it, we’re all spending more time scrolling than ever!). Pinterest is still a go-to, as is Houzz. Create specific idea books for different parts of your dream bathroom — from the overall feel to more granular topics, like faucets.”
Things to consider:
- Create subcategories for vanities, tiles, storage, fixtures, lighting and flooring
- Organizing your inspiration images by sub-categories will be much easier to locate and reference later when you need them
Think About Your Budget
“Champagne taste on a beer budget will never become more clear than on a renovation project, especially with bathrooms. The good news is there are many price points within the various categories that will achieve a beautiful result. It’s knowing where you can save and where you really should pay for quality.
Don’t skimp on plumbing fixtures and labor. That discount no-name faucet may look the same as the high-end one you loved, but trust us, it’s not. Putting in a $200 faucet may seem like you’re saving money, until it leaks into your living room below! Don’t DIY unless you are a professional: quick DIY fixes down the road are one thing, but installing from scratch is another. Our golden rule is never mess with plumbing without help from a licensed plumbing company like J&T Dale Plumbing.
Budget depends on a lot of factors, but it’s our experience that bathroom renovations start at $20,000 (before any design fees or project management), unless you’re a skilled tradesperson and are planning to complete the labor yourself for a basic bathroom reno with materials such as ceramic or porcelain. If you’re picturing a marble bathroom with beautiful fixtures, plan to budget a minimum of $40,000 to start. Make a spreadsheet and list out all the line items. We assign a low and a high number to each of the categories to help refine the budget down to the overall number we’re aiming for.”
Things to consider:
- Choose a number that allows for 15 to 20% overage for unknowns: any time you’re dealing with water, plumbing and electrical may hide some surprises under the surface that will soon be discovered after a demolition
- At the end of the day, updated bathrooms add much more value to your home and your everyday living than the upfront costs suggest
Determine Your Layout & Draw It Out
“Using graph paper, each square can either represent one foot (this is known as quarter-inch scale, 1/4″ = 1′), which works best in large spaces, or two squares per foot (1/2″ = 1′). Measure out the space, including all the jogs (bathrooms tend to have a lot of them). Mark in the doorways and window openings and don’t forget to allow 3″ to 6” extra on either side of these openings for trim.
Leaving the main plumbing elements where they are will save money, especially when it comes to toilets (shower and vanity plumbing is a little easier to move). But sometimes, the layout is the main problem and flipping things around makes all the difference. Maybe there is wasted space due to framing around a small tub: a good sized vanity might be better use of those extra inches. Plumbing generally can’t go on exterior walls for insulation reasons.
This is also the time to plan lighting. Are you adding new pot lights or a shower light? Think about flattering and ample lighting for the vanity. The most effective is light coming from the sides, not overhead, so that’s why we choose wall sconces when possible. Fixtures over tubs can be beautiful but you need the height to meet code, otherwise consider a large flush-mount or semi-flush mount in the center of the room instead. Heated floors and towel bars should also be considered at this point for pricing and planning into the renovation.”
Things to consider:
- This is the time to highlight what is working in your current space and what isn’t. Things you wish you had and are high on your priority list need to be factored in first
- Divide the “must-haves,” “nice to haves” and the “if we have room in the plan and in the budget” into columns
- Plan out where you want to install towel bars, toilet paper holders and hooks, as these areas ideally should have “blocking” between the studs for added support
- Adding or replacing a fan? A fan is intended to remove moisture, humidity and steam from the shower, so it should be placed close to the shower door
Make Hard Decisions
“No matter the size of your bathroom, some questions and challenging areas will present themselves during the layout phase. This is why we don’t recommend deciding whether you need a double vanity or a stand-alone tub before drawing out the space. Maybe counter space or storage takes priority over double sinks. We often point out to clients that if this is a family bath, two sinks doesn’t make a lot of sense long-term because there is a small window of time when your kids will be brushing their teeth together side by side. Soon enough they will want their privacy, and the counter space and storage is much more important.
Real estate agents will advise that every house needs a bathtub and we tend to agree, but it doesn’t have to be in the main bathroom. If you are blessed with a four-piece principal ensuite with a separate tub, we feel that’s sufficient. The second or ‘main’ bathroom can have a more spacious walk-in shower. Putting a shower/tub combo in a shared bathroom just for the sake of having another tub (especially if the tub and shower is on the smaller side), just doesn’t seem like good planning to us.”
Things to consider:
- The day will come when the kids are older and showers are the preference, so you’ll be glad that at least one of your bathrooms has a nice shower to step into easily and enjoy
- It’s easier to bathe kids in a larger tub with no shower curtains or glass doors to get in the way
Find A Contractor
“Whether you rely on your designer or a word-of-mouth recommendation, or turn to places like HomeStars, a reputable contractor with references will be your best friend in an important renovation like a bathroom. Most won’t look at or quote a job until they’ve seen a layout, which is why we suggest doing this after the planning stage.
It’s fine to have more than one layout option to quote, however if the final decision depends on cost (such as moving plumbing), discuss time lines and ask how long they estimate it taking —from demo to actually using the bathroom — and when they can start. If it sounds too good to be true, be wary: most bathrooms should take three to six months if done properly. Ask how many projects they work on at one time and if you’ll have someone dedicated supervising your site every day to ensure the project is moving along as planned. Gut feelings are valid: this person is going to be in your space for a while — ideally you want someone considerate, honest and reliable.”
Things to consider:
- Ask the contractor to leave materials (the “pretty things” like fixtures, tiles and lighting) out of the quote so that you or your designer are free to shop around and handle the orders yourself. They can help with budgeting allowances for these items, but they shouldn’t be part of the overall quote or you’ll be paying a deposit and instalments on them
- Ensure their quote accounts for a bin and proper disposal and for protecting the site. Jagged and sharp things will be coming out of your home during the demo phase, so make sure floors, walls, stair railings and light fixtures are well protected and the dust is being controlled
Decide On A Custom Vs. Pre-Fab Vanity
“If your space will allow for a standard-sized vanity and you want to save some money, this is a good place to do it. There are good looking, well-made vanities ready to ship and available on sites like Wayfair and Costco. Many have beautiful marble tops and backsplashes with the sinks included that can save you money. They aren’t typically outfitted with faucets, but that’s a good thing — you can do better. Sometimes maximizing space and storage calls for custom solutions. They don’t have to be costly or open up too many possibilities, but they can be time-prohibitive and hold up a project if not planned in advance.”
Things to consider:
- Many companies offer custom vanities and storage cabinets but most take six to eight weeks from time of order (after you’ve chosen the design, color and details)
- Plan for custom millwork early in your layout and order it: you’ll typically have time to decide on things like color and counters while the cabinetry is in production
Revisit The Look
“Once you’ve completed a lot of research and thinking about this renovation, it’s time to choose a modern or traditional style (or maybe somewhere in between?). This helps narrow down the choices of tiles, plumbing style and even the handles on your vanity. It also helps determine fixtures such as tubs and toilets. Do you lean towards warm or cool tones, or a mix of both? This is key to choosing your metal finishes.”
Things to consider:
- Finishes such as polished nickel and the various options for brass generally cost more than chrome or black
- Specialty finishes may take longer to receive
Source Your Plumbing
“Roughing in the plumbing (think: bringing in pipes, duct work, electrical conduits but not hooking up these connections to the shower, sink and bath) happens very early in the renovation stage — usually right after framing. Luckily, most suppliers stock the rough-ins even if the actual faucet has to be ordered. This is a good question to ask when you are sourcing. Let your sales representative know the timing you’re working with as this may rule out certain choices right off the bat. Also, prepare yourself for some sticker shock — quality bathroom fixtures and faucets cost more than you think.”
Things to consider:
- Many reputable suppliers and showrooms collaborate with well-known plumbing manufacturers to create their own in-house lines that can save you hundreds, if not thousands, on your plumbing package
- We highly recommend working with a local showroom over an online source for plumbing because of the customer service both during the purchasing phase and afterwards, should you encounter any issues that require a warranty
Source Your Tiles
“Tile is another area with plenty of opportunity to save if you’re on a budget. With so many options out there that replicate the look of luxurious materials, you’ll want to give yourself time to look. If you go in armed with your plans and the quantity of materials needed (be sure to add 10 to 15 percent extra for waste, especially for intricate patterns, such as herringbone), you’ll be better equipped to take advantage of a great find when you see it.
For bathrooms with stand-alone showers (not shower/tub combos), consider using a pre-fab shower pan instead of a tiled shower floor with a framed curb. Not only can it save you space but also labor costs and maintenance down the road. Often our approach is mixing different sizes and scales of tile. If we have a small mosaic or pattern on the floor, we may decide to go with larger ones on the shower walls. If there is an opportunity to create a feature wall behind the vanity or tub, you may want to start with that tile.”
Things to consider:
- Many suppliers have clearance areas where they sell off discontinued or overstock tiles
- All white bathrooms can be beautiful, but varying textures will be important to keep it from looking sterile
- Stick to what you love, not what Instagram is telling you to love, and steer clear of trendy colors or shapes that will date themselves since tiling is a costly, laborious renovation
Finishing Touches
“Finishing touches include paint colors for walls, trim and cabinetry, counter material, mirrors, lighting, hardware and towel bars (they don’t have to match per se but should complement your other elements). Bathrooms need privacy, so choose window coverings that are soft and possibly patterned to temper a room full of hard surfaces. If you have space, consider an area rug, a side table beside a tub or accent pieces like small stools or benches. When selecting bathroom and decorative items, let your personality shine through and set your bathroom apart.”
Things to consider:
- Use pieces of marble or quartz instead of metal to frame out tiled walls and jambs in the shower for a higher-end look (pre-fab versions in standard lengths are available from big box and tile stores)
- Details can make or break the look of the bathroom, so leave budget and time to layer in these accessories
Erin Feasby & Cindy Bleeks, Feasby & Bleeks Design