Bathroom and kitchen remodel are the most popular home renovation projects and for good reasons. Updating these rooms is important for functionality especially if you have an older home with outdated plumbing/electrical fixtures. The remodel also offers a good return on investment when it comes time to sell your home.
Unfortunately, bath renovation projects tend to get bigger than you originally expected. You might start out with wanting to replace a leaky faucet and before you know it, you’re retiling the floor or replacing the tub altogether. But what if your bathroom doesn’t need an extensive renovation and you just want a smaller update?
Small bathroom projects
There are many alternatives to a full-blown bath renovation. For instance, you can replace the decor and small accent pieces if you’re satisfied with the existing functionality. In other words, you just want to update how the room looks. You can also replace fixtures such as the towel rod, faucet, towel hooks, and sink accessories in a coordinating finish.
Design upgrades are often inexpensive and don’t take up much time. Functional upgrades are typically more expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to plan out. It’s especially true if you want to swap out the tub, replace the tub with a shower, or another more extensive remodeling.
Replacing the shower system
Luckily, replacing your shower system doesn’t have to be a big project requiring experts. If you’re handy with tools, replacing the shower can be done in a day or even an afternoon. Unless you want to add more valves, handles, or multiple showerheads, you don’t have to re-tile or break anything to replace the shower system.
There are several reasons you may want to replace the shower:
- The existing shower is leaking or close to breaking down
- You want to update the shower to match the rest of the bath fixtures (faucet, towel rack, etc.)
- You want to add functionality like a hand shower, spa shower system, etc.
- You’re interested in water-saving or eco-friendly features like low flow showerheads, digital controls, or similar tech upgrades
You don’t need an expert to replace the showerhead, just basic tools and some time. If you’re used to DIY projects around the house, you can complete this one in less than a day.
Selecting a shower system
There are many types of shower systems available in the market today. You can buy all-in-one packages that include all the parts you need or assemble your own bespoke system. A new shower system can cost anywhere from $100 to $5000 and above. It depends on the manufacturer, functionality, and the finish you want. In most cases, it’s not worth the time and effort to build your own system from parts. Most all-in-one systems are easy to assemble and work well regardless of your budget.
Budget
Naturally, price is a limiting factor whenever you shop for something. If you are replacing the shower as part of a blogger remodel, make sure to leave room in the budget for the purchase. No matter the constraints, you’ll be able to find a system that suits your needs.
Features
From water-saving showers to complete spa-like experiences, your shower can be as simple or complex as you need. A master bath may benefit from a rain shower head (where the water sprays down from the ceiling) while a guest bath doesn’t have such a complex system. Modern shower panels may even come with digital controls, speakers to play music, and other technology features.
Some showers feature multiple heads such as a fixed showerhead and a more flexible handheld one. Spa systems combine multiple nozzles or heads that are flush against the wall to provide a relaxing bath experience.
Finish
As with all home upgrades, the finish is important. You should select one that complements your design style and the rest of the bathroom. That beautiful oil-rubbed bronze showerhead in the showroom may look completely out of place in a modern, minimalist bathroom.
Since bath fixtures are generally not very expensive, it’s a good idea to replace all of them at once with items from the same brand/manufacturer. Remember that polished finishes look elegant but need more cleaning to keep them free of fingerprints and smudges. Brushed or matte finishes are more forgiving and easier to clean.
It’s always a good idea to shop for shower systems from a reputed manufacturer like Grohe. It ensures you get quality fixtures that won’t break down anytime soon. Grohe products are simple to install, making them ideal for smaller bath remodels.
For example, the Grohe Euphoria system combines a minimalist footprint with maximum performance. It is sleek and almost blends into the wall, so you won’t even notice it’s there. With numerous features like rain spray, adjustable height bar, and flexible rotation, this shower system offers excellent value, regardless of your budget.
