Things I Hate About My Bathrooms: It’s Making Me Plumb Crazy!

Last week, I shared the major complaints we’ve heard about kitchens. This week, we’re turning the focus to another major problem in the home: the bathroom design. What’s got homeowners ready to flush their current bathrooms and start over? Here’s what they listed as “things I hate about my bathrooms” (aside from “It’s making me plumb crazy!”).

“It’s too small and cramped.” 

This is the most common complaint we get about bathroom design. There was a time, not all that long ago, when the bathroom was simply a functional space. Design included the placement of the vanity, shower/bath combo, and toilet. As lifestyles have changed, people see their bathrooms as a private spa, where they can do more than their “business”. From the rainfall showerhead and soaking tub to the soft colors and natural materials, today’s homeowners want a bathroom to feel like a retreat. 

Unfortunately, a small bathroom isn’t an easy fix. If you have the room to open up the space by knocking down a wall, you’re in luck. We’ve had some homeowners who say their closet is bigger than their bathroom. If you can afford to steal some of that space, you can begin to overcome the size challenge of your bathroom.

“I don’t like sharing the sink.”

Do you have someone who leaves hair and toothpaste blotches in the sink? Maybe they don’t wipe up the splashes after they’re done. For whatever reason, it can be frustrating to share a sink. Dual vanities are a common feature in master baths. “Yours” and “Mine” reduces at least one of the arguments that stem from sharing a bathroom. Do you have a large enough vanity to replace the countertop with one that accommodates two sinks? If so, this is a quick fix. Or, you can start over with a brand new vanity with dual sinks.

“Could I have some privacy, please?”

New bathrooms frequently separate the toilet from the rest of the bathroom. This private water closet gives family members a little extra privacy, and allows others to use the bathroom shower, tub, or sink without disturbing this personal time. If you can’t install a wall with a door, a half-wall at least offers some semblance of privacy.

“I want a separate shower and a tub I can soak in.”

Some builders use a combination shower and bathtub to save space or cost. Unless you are petite, the tub in this combo unit is not large enough for a long, luxurious soak. Today’s homeowners want a walk-in shower, outfitted with a decorative tile surround and a spa-like shower head, maybe a built-in shelf for shampoo and body wash. This walk-in shower is larger than the one that confines you in a shower-tub combination, so you can truly relax and enjoy the experience.

The soaking tub is also a major plus for the bathroom. Manufacturers are designing beautiful tubs—like free-standing bathtubs—that invite you to take advantage of a bubbly escape. Homes By Taber includes a jetted tub and European step-in shower in all of our master baths, because we know it’s one of the major bathroom design complaints.

“The tiles are hideous.”

Between the flooring, surrounds, and backsplash, does the tile make you cringe? You know from all of your other rooms that the flooring makes a big difference in defining a space. Replacing the flooring in your bathroom is a fairly easy fix. You can choose from a wide variety of options that work well in a room where water, moisture, and humidity are a factor.

Maybe you just need a change to a more stylish tile. Porcelain, limestone, travertine, and ceramic tile provide a durable choice with a wide range of colors, shapes, textures, and patterns. If you prefer the warm look of wood, check out wood-look tile. Bamboo flooring is another option, because it stands up to moisture and provides a hardy surface—and bamboo is a highly sustainable material, too.

“The lighting makes me look like a zombie.”

Of course, you can change the light bulbs to something softer, but you might bring a healthier color with bathroom light fixtures that are designed for the type of task lighting you need in this room. For example, instead of a fixture over the vanity’s mirror, add sconces to each side. Then, the light isn’t shining down from overhead, which casts shadows on your face, like under your eyes and nose—that aren’t very flattering. Use an overhead light, even recessed lighting for the room in general, with a dimmer to control the brightness. If you have (or plan to add) a soaking tub, consider installing a light fixture above it—a chandelier, as fancy or simple as you like.

“There’s no place to put anything.”

The lack of storage is a common complaint about bathrooms, too. You can replace your vanity with one that offers cabinetry with more drawers or shelves. Do you have room to add a linen closet? If not, purchase a tall, narrow cabinet that you can use for this purpose. Shelving is another option to expand bathroom storage. Open shelves don’t crowd the space, but give you a place to stash small items, like hand towels, soap, and cosmetics.

Fix or flush?

If your bathrooms truly hamper your comfort, there are probably other problems with your home as well. It might be time to think about making a move to a home that better fits your lifestyle. Homes By Taberincludes many standard features that other builders consider an upgrade. Look at the floor plansand available homesfor sale in our new home communities throughout the Oklahoma City metro area. Then talk to usabout taking the next step!