What You Need to Know Before Your Austin Bathroom Remodel
Our Architects Share What You Need to Know Before You Start Your Austin Bathroom Renovation
Does your bathroom feel a little more stale than spa? Then, it might be time for a bathroom renovation! Our Austin architects have helped homeowners across the city transform their primary bathrooms into retreats as well as update their guest baths with welcoming finishes. There are a few things you should know before you get started, especially if you just bought a home here or are renovating for the first time.
Don’t worry! We’re covering everything you need to know before you start your Austin bathroom renovation, from preparing for the city’s strict building codes to the latest bathroom design trends our architects love. Let’s get started!
Bought an Austin Home That Needs a Bathroom Remodel?
There are a variety of home styles in Austin, Texas, from streamlined contemporary homes to quirky bungalows. If you bought a house that feels a little more “weird” than welcoming, it might be time to consider taking on an Austin bathroom remodel. While it might seem daunting to start, the end result will be worth it. Bathroom renovations can add 10-40% more value to your home, plus they will improve the daily function of your space and enhance your overall lifestyle. Seems like a win to us!
What You Need to Know Before You Start Your Bathroom Remodel in Austin
While you might be tempted to take a sledgehammer to your outdated bathroom, it’s best to go into your Austin bathroom renovation prepared. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you start.
Austin Building Codes are Strictly Enforced
It’s always best practice to familiarize yourself with building codes and apply for the proper permits when starting a renovation — even more so in Austin! Austin building codes are strictly enforced. For example, plumbing codes specify that a sink has to be 15 inches from an adjacent wall. While other cities may give you some leeway, Austin inspectors will likely shut down the project and make you fix the mistake. This can make design and installation challenging, especially in smaller Austin bathroom remodels.
Texas Bathroom Designs Need to Stand Up to Heat and Humidity
Austin's hot and humid climate must be considered, even for interior bathroom renovations. At the base level, your Austin bathroom design should ensure proper ventilation with an exhaust fan and, if possible, a window. However, you should also rethink design decisions such as wet rooms and indoor-outdoor showers. Wet room designs combine a freestanding tub and shower in one tiled section of the bathroom. While they look trendy, they can be difficult to clean and accumulate mildew buildup. Indoor-outdoor showers might be appealing in California’s cool climate but might not get as much practical use during hot Texas summers.
Think About Organization and Cleaning Before You Reno
Whether you’re renovating a bathroom in Austin or across the country, you should consider the impact of your design decisions on organization and maintenance. For example, many people make shower niches a focal point with accent tiles. But in practice, this draws attention to a cluttered shelf. Our Austin architects prefer to hide shower niches when possible. Additionally, it’s important to consider the maintenance of materials like natural stone compared to ceramic tile and which works better for your lifestyle. (Ceramic is much easier to clean!)
Make a Checklist to Stay on Track
Finally, stay on track with a checklist for your Austin bathroom renovation. Include which items are most important to you and which design selections to make. To make it easy for you, our Austin architects created a bathroom design checklist you can print or bookmark!
Get the Austin Bathroom Design Checklist
Austin Bathroom Design Trends We’re Loving
Need some bathroom design inspiration? These are the Austin bathroom trends we love most (because they’re timeless and functional).
Freestanding Tubs
In past years, many Austin homeowners opted to have only a shower or a shower tub combo. Now, many people are making room for freestanding tubs in their bathrooms. Freestanding tubs placed in front of a window can be a beautiful feature. Plus, they offer a spa-like feel and a peaceful place to relax.
Handheld Shower Hardware (In Gold and Bronze)
In shower designs, our Austin architects are seeing increased requests for both fixed and handheld shower heads. Handheld shower wands are a luxurious and practical option because they also make it so much easier to clean the shower. And the most popular finishes have moved away from black and towards gold and bronze.
Plaster Shower Wall Finishes
We’re seeing a rise in plaster shower wall finishes as an alternative to tile. Lime-based plasters are waterproof and provide an old-world or Moroccan-inspired look that can work in a range of design styles, from traditional to contemporary. This is a fairly new trend in Austin, and finding the right craftsmen to get it right can be challenging.
Integrated Sinks
Another Austin design trend we’re seeing, especially in contemporary homes, is integrated sinks. In these designs, marble slab or cement pour counters are designed so the sink basin is a part of the countertop rather than a separate component. It’s a high-end, contemporary finish that can be expensive. Homeowners often pair integrated sinks with wall-mounted faucets to preserve the sleek look. Just remember that wall-mounted fixtures need to be planned ahead of time during the framing stage.
Custom Cabinet Storage Designs
One of our favorite functional trends is custom cabinet storage solutions. This includes things like built-in laundry hampers, custom cabinet dividers, and drawers with power outlets, so you never have to worry about plugging in the hairdryer. Once you have these cabinet upgrades, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!
Skincare Stations
With the rise of skincare routines on social media, we’ve noticed that many people are requesting a retro bathroom feature: sit-down vanities. Makeup counter designs are on the rise, outfitted with upgrades like mirrors with built-in lighting, custom makeup drawers, and decorative sconces.
The Next Step for Your Austin Bathroom Remodel
So, what’s the next step in your Austin bathroom renovation journey? Hire an architect! When working with an architect, you’ll have an expert by your side to navigate complicated building codes, assess functionality, maximize your space, and deliver the bathroom oasis of your dreams. Ready to get started? Our Austin architects are here to help!
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