Most of the time it seems the new post is a call for help, in a jamb and need some help getting out.  

 

I thought a good topic might be to take a room remodel that you have done and relay what one or two modification/change/update you made that really makes a good change for you.  Does not have to be major, or expensive, just a change that you are very happy that you implemented.  The goal would be to pass on some really beneficial info to others planning a remodel or change to a room.

 

I thought I would start the topic this week with the bathroom.  And yes, I have a bathroom to remodel in 2017!  I will even start off since I completed a remodel of our master bath last year.

Two items that I incorporated last year in the master bathroom remodel that I really like a lot.  A very simple swap of the exhaust fan on/off switch to a timer switch.  From 5 min. to 30 min.  I really like it.  No more turning the fan on and then wondering an hour later if I turned it off.  Set it and forget it.  Got it on Amazon for about $25 bucks.  It does take up some space in the box though.  In my pic, the toggle switch next to it is for the ceiling lights.

The second item is the flooring we used.  To replace the broken and cracked ceramic tile we installed "vinyl tile wood planks".  It snaps together and floats like laminate flooring.  It is very warm in the winter, cool during the summer.  Has a textured surface so not at all slippery like the tile was.  I really like it and plan to use it upstairs next year.

 

So, how about it folks.  Done a change to the bathroom that you really like having done it?

Cal

Edited November 20, 20178 yr by Ron Dudelston
tags added

We just did the kids bathroom and I really like the tub enclosure tiles we chose along with the modern looking tile edging instead of the traditional ceramic bullnose, we chose the contemporary aluminum track. If you see spots it's because the kids need to clean! 

 

Thanks John, that does look nice.

A couple other items I could add.  I swapped out the shower and garden tub for a larger shower unit.  Small step into it.  And it has a nice seat also.

I also removed the sheetrock from the walls on both sides of the commode.  I attached some 1/2" or 3/4" plywood scraps between the studs from about the 2' to the 4' height.  Rehung the sheetrock and none's the wiser.  Two benefits might be gained.  First, those toilet paper holders that never get fastened to a stud and always pull loose from the sheetrock?  Solved!  Even though we do not have a wall mounted holder - it is there.

Second - if either the wife or I get to the point that a hand rail is a necessity or just helpful to have - will not have to search for a stud to mount it to.  I do have the "benefit" of seeing my elderly mother coping with her home and want to incorporate anything I can while remodeling that may be helpful to us in the next 20-30 years and beyond.

Cal

Edited September 26, 20169 yr by clhyer

ADA hoppers...

5 years ago I did a renovation of our downstairs 1/2 bath. It was basic "Builder Standard" with the oak vanity and white solid-surface top/sink as well as a glued on sheet mirror on the wall and the plain metal medicine cabinet. Since we have more of an "Arts & Crafts" theme going on downstairs in the Family Room, I wanted to do something to tie it in better than the original stuff.

So I went online and found some vanity designs that I liked and then ran them by my wife for her approval. Once I got my wife on the same page, I went to work building it. The vanity is all red oak with a top mount copper vessel sink and a copper faucet. The mirrors and shelf were made from some reclaimed Douglas Fir that were leftover from another project and the wood was originally from a barn that was built in the later 1800's. Prior to installing the new vanity and mirrors, I patched the walls and sprayed new texture on the walls and painted as well as adding in a new light fixture.
 

 

 

radiant floor heat...

I got that exact timer a couple of weeks ago.  Only problem is that it did not work in the walk-in closet because it needs a neutral (can't be used where the power goes to the light/fan first).

 

Is that flooring LVP (Luxury Vinyl Planks)?   I've heard good things about it.

http://www.familyhandyman.com/floor/vinyl-flooring/how-to-install-luxury-vinyl-flooring/view-all

The timers are a great idea, I've used them in the past and will be putting at least one into the current house. But what I did in my cabinets was made them a few inches taller the "standard". I think that standard is 29", and I made mine 31", not quite as tall as the kitchen base cabinets, but tall enough to make life easier for short people (us). If you remember Norm's kitchen build season where all the episodes were about him redoing one kitchen, I built my cabinets more-or-less on the style he used. At the time FWW did an article on the entire project and had a lot of his tips and design features described. these are the cabinets I built:

 

Several years ago we visited our son in Okinawa and saw this neat toilet paper holder in his bathrooms. We asked him to send us one and we love it's convenience. Not the classiest looking thing but it's sure handy.

Amazon now carries them. LINK

First, Allen, WOW!  I really like your design.  I'm planning a bathroom remodel at some point and want to do a vessel sink, but I bought and Eastlake style vanity and mirror I plan on reviving to use as the base.

 

Second, Fred, WOW!  I remodeled my kitchen a few years back and built my own cabinets, but didn't follow Norm's plan.  I basically followed the dimensions of the existing cabinets, and where I had to build them where none existed, I just took measurements and went from there. As you can tell from the photos, I'm a huge fan of inset door and drawers. I've since added baseboard molding to the bottom of the drawer units to match the rest of the room.  (I'm not the best photographer)

 

Third, when I redid my half bath, I didn't have enough wall space to 'comfortably' hang a paper dispenser, so I took on my 1st (and only to date) lathe project. I made it out of some scrap 2X douglas fir I had on hand. I glued up a 3x3 blank for the center post, cut the feet out of 2X stock. Turned the uprights out of 2x2 material, and used a mahogany plug to hide the screw hole.    Gets the job done.

 

super nice work Paul...

Some nice ideas and thoughts here... thanks for y'all's input.

Stick, re: ADA hoppers.  I think that is what I used.  2 or 3 inches taller than a reg. one?  Makes it tough to go use the one in the 1/2 bath now, feel like I am falling down!

Keith, I think this is LVP flooring.  IIRC, the instructions that came with it called it that.  Actually purchased at Lumber Liquidators.

Cal

that is some fine dress right dress detail work Cal...

a long time ago I swore to put in a floor drain on ANY room that had water in it.  I still get calls on how that drain saved a HUGE amount of damage when something went wrong.