Basement bathrooms have a bad reputation for being dark and dank, but it shouldn’t be that way! The basement is part of the home and contributes valuable square footage.
Take advantage of the opportunity to increase the value of your client’s home and increase their appreciation for a potentially neglected space by updating the basement bathroom.
Before You Get Started
As a first step, be sure to consult with city building authorities and check for any local zoning ordinances or deed restrictions, especially if you’re installing a new bathroom.
After that, begin to think about how the space will be used. As you’re planning, you’ll want to consider these things.
Basement Bathroom Size
If the basement is intended to function as guest quarters or a family suite, there should be a full or three-quarter bathroom installed. Approximately 60 square feet is the recommended square footage for a full bathroom. For a smaller bathroom or half-bath, plan for at least 30 square feet for a basement that is primarily an entertainment area, rec room, or office space.
Basement Plumbing and Electrical
Bathrooms should be installed in close proximity to existing plumbing and electrical lines, if at all possible. This will save you and your crew valuable time and reduce costs for your client.
Are there any drainage concerns? Do they need a specialized toilet system such as a pressure-assisted toilet, an up-flush toilet, or a sewage-ejector system? These will all have an impact on the overall design and orientation of the remodel.
One of the biggest reasons basement bathrooms have a bad reputation for being dark and dank is due to poor ventilation. No matter where you install the bathroom, keep it along exterior walls so proper ventilation can be constructed.
The Desired Lifestyle and Purpose
What kind of bathroom does your client want? An inexpensive design that just fits the bill? Something more custom? To avoid unnecessary change orders, plan every piece of porcelain and cabinetry with the homeowner in advance.
Do they want a free-standing clawfoot tub or bathtub and shower combo? Are they looking for a full-sized corner shower with custom tiled walls or a prefabricated shower stall?
Are they going for a classic pedestal sink or an RTA bathroom vanity? What about mirrors and drawer configuration? Will this bathroom have a traditional flushing toilet or a sustainable composting commode?
Of course, all of these design choices will be guided by space, economic considerations, and how the space will be used.
Source: Pexels.com
Basement Bathroom Installation and Remodel Ideas
A bathroom remodel doesn’t have to carry a massive budget to have a big-budget impact. Here are a few design ideas for contractors and real estate agents who are guiding clients towards the perfect basement bathroom installation or remodel.
“A bathroom remodel doesn’t have to carry a massive budget to have a big-budget impact.”
1. Let There Be Light
Dark and dank no more! Brighten up any basement bathroom with improved and energy-efficient lighting. Recessed light fixtures work well over tubs and showers or directly over toilets. Classy vertical fixtures enhance mirror visibility and look quite elegant when mounted on each side of the vanity.
Track lighting offers a more modern look and can provide lighting in strategic parts of the room with one fixture. Dimmer settings can serve as mood lighting or night lights if the basement is intended for sleeping quarters. For the more robust budget, a bathroom chandelier would add a “wow” factor in addition to sufficient lighting.
2. Create Storage Everywhere
If there’s one thing every house never seems to have enough of, it’s storage. A basement bathroom is an ideal place to make up some of that storage space! And with easy, affordable solutions like RTA bathroom cabinets, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Install a large linen closet for all those surplus sheets and towels taking up space in the upstairs storage. Add floor-to-ceiling seasonal storage for decorations and supplies that you don’t need all the time but want to keep safely inside rather than in the garage.
Combine the basement bathroom with the laundry room and create a laundry organization and folding station your neighbors will drool over!
3. Update the Shower
Prefabricated showers are usually the most affordable solution. but they’re notoriously boring. Depending on the orientation of the stall, update an old shower with a fresh glass door to give the room a classy feel. Or if the client is ready to take that old prefab shower out, install a full shower with tiled walls.
4. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
As always, a fresh coat of paint in a bright or contrasting color will give any bathroom a new and improved look and feel. Be sure to get anti-molding paint in a basement bathroom due to the potential for decreased ventilation.
National K&B Cabinetry: Expert Bathroom Cabinet Manufacturers in Austin
The easiest way to affordably customize a basement bathroom installation or remodel is to use RTA bathroom cabinets! At National K&B Cabinetry, our ready to assemble cabinets are made of the highest-quality solid maple for timeless beauty and function. All right here in Austin!
Reach out to the NKBC team today, and let’s get started!
