Bathroom renovations are a rewarding venture. It’s an opportunity to get a fresh, clean start to a time-worn space. From the outdated, rust-stained plumbing down to the mildewy grout, it’s time to make it your own dazzling new spa retreat.

What you need to choose for your new bathroom can be overwhelming. There are a lot of pieces that make up a bathroom. Even if you have experience with doing this, it’s likely things have changed since then.

In my experience, clients generally want to pick out the tile first. I know it’s the perfect place to add your touch. But I’m going to advise you to focus on the essentials first. I know, how exciting is it to pick out a toilet, LOL! but think of it as choosing your undergarments first. Everything looks better with the right essentials to support it.

Starting with the essentials will give you peace of mind to focus on the pretty details.

This is your personal space where you or a family member will be using on a daily basis. Let’s get it right from the start.

No decision should be rushed.

So what am I saying? If you want to make the best selections for your bathroom, you have to start early…before the mess starts. Why? Because once construction starts you will want to put all your energy into making sure the details are implemented the way you want. Even the best contractors & designers can’t read minds… so you need to be available to fine-tune when necessary.

This is YOUR bathroom & will be for years to come. It might not be the most expensive improvement you make to your home but it’s still a substantial investment in your home. Let me help you get off to a great start.

Here’s your essential list of what to choose for your new Bathroom…

I have listed them in the order I suggest you select them in.

Here We go…

1.plumbing fixtures

I always start with the plumbing fixtures first since they will be the bones of your new bathroom.

My preference is to start with the bathtub. It’s the largest feature in the room & sets the mood for whether you are going for a sleek, modern look or a vintage, farmhouse look & everything in between. Whether you choose a freestanding tub or built-in tub there are many more choices to choose from that can give your bathroom a polished and updated look. I love the selection here from Waterworks. These can set the tone & allow everything else to fall in place.

Your tub will be one of your largest purchases for your new bathroom. It will help guide you in the right direction for how to establish your budget.

Once the bathtub has been chosen, it’s time to select the tub filler & lavatory faucets. Function & style will both come into play here. Do you want cross handles? Levers? Single lever? How about the finish? Satin Brass, Polished Brass, Polished Nickel, Brushed Nickel, Bronze, or good old Chrome? Or maybe it’s Copper for something unique.

Whether you’re shopping online or visiting a local showroom, ask questions. You’ll want to know how the finish will wear over time? Do they offer free replacement cartridges as the faucets age? What should you use to clean your fixtures?

Once you have your faucets selected the shower fixtures are next. One thing to consider is whether you take long showers or short showers. If you’re like me, I like options. I love the combination of a rain shower head & a handheld shower. This combo gives you flexibility. But maybe you prefer a traditional showerhead that has a variety of settings. Back jets would be optimal if your shower is large enough to warrant them. What about adding a steam shower?

The showroom I use has a working display of showerheads & back sprays. It really helps my clients make their final selection when they can see a working model.

The sink/s are next. Do you want oval or rectangular. Large or Medium. Keep in mind the larger the sink the less counter space you have but you want the sink to be large enough to be able to splash water on your face without making a mess of your counter space. Color-wise, you can’t wrong with white & the same goes for the toilet. It’s timeless & easy to workaround.

Last, but certainly not least is the commode or toilet, whichever you prefer. After all, it is the throne of your new bathroom.

If you currently have a basic standard height, 2 piece toilet with a round seat you might want to consider stepping it up. If you or your significant other are on the tall side, consider a comfort height (ADA Compliant) commode which makes it just a couple of inches taller so you don’t have to rely on your squatting skills as much.

I remember when we were in Italy in 1999, they were still using the Lire for the currency and you felt like a millionaire when you exchanged American $$$’s. But at the same time, le toilette in the smaller cucinas all had the toilet seats removed. They really tested our squatting skills. I have never taken the comfort of a toilet seat for granted since then.

Another thing to consider is the shape of the bowl. Standard is referred to as round & elongated is referred to as oval. If you like a little more room for your behind choose the elongated seat. You’ll also want to consider a soft-close toilet seat to keep it from slamming.

Aside from the basic practical functions of a commode, there are some variables to style. Find something that has similar lines to your tub. Sleek & modern or Soft & traditional.

If you want to get extra fancy, schmancy you can add a bidet or a bidet toilet seat. I find that the men push for these more than the women. We won’t get into that subject though ;)

become an expert on your new bathroom fixtures.

you’ll be living with them for a long time.

2. Cabinetry & Storage

Storage can make or break the function of your new bathroom. It’s the place you prepare to face the world. You want toiletries & grooming paraphernalia to be easy to access. Adding in more drawer storage is ideal. Upper cabinets are also easier to reach in & grab your blow dryer. Ideally, creating independent storage for you & your significant other is optimal. This helps to keep the peace.

Door style & finish will come into play when it comes to the budget, but since you have a fraction of the cabinets you’ll have in your kitchen go for the look you really want.

You’ll want to get your cabinets on order & know the ETA prior to doing any demo. Custom cabinets will have the longest lead time. What you need to choose for your new bathroom will be a lot more enjoyable once you have this decision off your checklist.

For a list of questions to guide you on what to consider when having your bathroom cabinets designed, be sure to check out my earlier post, Creating a Spa Bathroom.

3. Tile

Now it’s time to have some fun. I love shopping for tile & hopefully you will too. Even though it has practical purposes it is definitely the place to add your signature look. One of the tile retailers I enjoy going to is The Tile Shop. In the locations near us, they have everything displayed so it is facing you at or near eye level. This really beats swinging heavy sample boards on racks & trying not to break your toe while taking them down. I’m not a fan of looking at tile that way.

Another thing I like about them is that they allow you to purchase actual tiles & return them when you’re done. A much better way than dragging home a cumbersome sample board & trying to imagine the tile in the size you need. Honestly, I have nothing to gain by promoting them but you can also return tile if you have extra when the project is completed. There are some restrictions to this policy but most tile vendors do not allow returns so this is a big plus.

It’s a good place to start.

But what should be the driving force behind your tile selection? Glad you asked ;) I like to start with the accent tile first. The adornment to the shower wall or centerpiece to the room. From there I build out selecting the floor tile, wall tile, shower floor & ceiling tile & trim tile.

It all seems to fall into place if you start with the accent tile or feature tile that draws you to it.

4. Countertop

Next on your checklist is your countertop. Clients often wonder why this isn’t further up on the checklist. The reason why is that in most cases you’ll find what you want in a local warehouse. Once you select & purchase your countertop material it won’t be measured until your cabinets are installed. The turn around time for fabrication at that point is generally 2-2 +1/2 weeks.

The most popular choices are Quartz (engineered stone) or Corian & natural stones like Granite & Quartzite (the most expensive.) You can select Quartz (engineered stone) & Corian by looking at samples. However, take it a step further and ask the fabricator to show you photos of projects they have used that particular surface before. Sometimes you’ll see some nice veining on the sample yet be surprised that there are some areas that have none. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but it’s nice to know what to expect ahead of time.

5. Lighting

Good lighting is crucial to your bathroom experience. Both style & function are imperative to the look of your bathroom & the way you look.

Luxury Hotels have great examples of what you should strive for with your lighting. They know to light your face from all sides to avoid uninvited shadows. They know to choose warm light that doesn’t turn blemishes & imperfections purple. It’s luxury hotels that have made it popular to use lighted mirrors like these from Robern.

Surrounding your face with light is ideal.

Of course, you need general lighting for lighting your new bathroom evenly. Ambient lighting for relaxing in the tub can be created by simply adding dimmers. The main objective is to have an even distribution of light. Here’s more on achieving that Home Lighting for Your Health & Well-Being.

When it comes to selecting the style & finish for your lighting choose something that compliments the lavatory faucets & fixtures.

6. Shower Enclosure

Glass enclosures have so much more flexibility than they did years ago. Frameless is ideal for avoiding corrosion & distracting from your beautiful tile. Consider a low wall like this with glass mounted at the top portion on either side of the door. You can have a hook mounted in the glass for your towel waiting for you when you step out.

Look online for inspiration for the right fit & look for you. Use a local vendor that can guide you on what your options are.

Some things to consider are…

1) Ease of reaching in to turn on the shower.

2) Cleanability to keep the glass sparkling. A good vendor will offer a protective finish to reduce water spots.

3) The door swing should allow you to grab your towel with ease when you step out.

4) Clear glass will show off your tile the best & never look dated.

Generally, glass enclosures will have a 2-4 week turn around. They should be able to measure once the shower base is installed with or without tile. If you are doing a steam shower & require a full-height shower enclosure then the tile will need to be installed before the measure.

If your shower is combined with your bathtub then don’t rule out a simple shower curtain. I got my start as a designer in high school working at our family business, The Golden Dolphin, which was a high-end bath boutique. I’m still a big fan of a nice quality shower curtain & often go this route. They can be customized to compliment your look.

7. Mirror

Your mirror should give you ample space to primp & polish your look but it doesn’t have to be wall to wall. It’s really fun when you can find a mirror that ties into the finish of your lighting & fixtures. If upper storage is important there are some really great options for medicine cabinets from Robern. They offer a clean, modern look & can provide built-in lighting too.

You can also choose to have your mirrors built-in with your cabinetry like the example photo I show above under number 2. If this is the look you want then you should have it checked off much earlier with your cabinets.

8. Hardware

Before your cabinets arrive be sure to select & order your cabinet hardware. You’ll want to install them right after the countertops are installed.

This is another place to express yourself. Select a finish that coordinates with your lighting. I like to use knobs on doors & handles on drawers. You want to pick something that works with your style but also that functions well. Something that feels good to your hands. Be careful to avoid handles that go beyond the posts. This type tends to catch your pj’s or robe.

It’s the finishing touch on your fixed components to your bathroom. Choose something that fits the feel of the space whether it’s simple, quirky, and fun or elegant and detailed. It’s the jewelry to finish off the look. Signature Hardware has an excellent selection no matter what your style is.

Towel bars, towel rings, toilet paper holders & robe hooks are the final thing on your list. Sometimes they offer coordinating accessories for your faucets & fixtures. That can give you a cohesive look. But you don’t have to match them exactly in style as long as the finishes work well together.

I’m just finishing up a kids’ bathroom for my daughter & son-in-law’s home. Although we selected satin brass for the faucets & lighting, we chose to use black for the towel rings, toilet paper holder & hooks. We couldn’t fit towel bars so we added extra hooks on the back of the door for towels.

Now that you know what you need to choose for your new bathroom, make your plan to get started. Your goal is to see as many of these items in person as possible so you can see, feel & get a sense of how they will work in your dream bathroom. Remember to start with your Plumbing Fixtures, move on to the Cabinetry, then the Tile, next the Countertop, Lighting, Shower Enclosure, Mirror & finally Cabinet Hardware & Fixed Accessories.

Along the way, if you find the perfect whatever that might not be on your punch-list for the day go ahead and knock that off your list. As long as you have your Plumbing Fixtures & Cabinets checked off the rest can be moved around a bit.

I promise you if you have your selections made ahead of hiring your contractor you will be in far better shape than if you don’t. This will significantly help the renovation process go MUCH smoother. You might have to make some reselections along the way but by that point, you will be much more familiar with the options available. Don’t let that throw you off.

Have fun & enjoy the process. The dream of renovating a bathroom is a huge accomplishment. Enjoy!

I Look Forward To Your Questions & Comments Below & Hope You “Like” This Blogpost.

If you need more direction on getting started consider my Local or Online Design Services! I’m here to guide you! My Finish Selection package might be a perfect place to start.