Interior Design Inspiration: Remodeling Your Bathroom? Order These ASAP.
After you’ve made all of your bathroom design decisions, order your plumbing fixtures first!
Construction takes time, often longer than we as homeowners want - but if you want the most efficient (and quickest!) bathroom remodel possible, then you’ll want to order your plumbing fixtures first - and here’s why!
It’s easy to pick your bathroom tile and cabinets first, and by all means, indulge in the fun stuff! But don’t forget to select and order your plumbing fixtures before you start construction! When I work with my clients, we usually have the overall vision for the bathroom and 3D renderings certainly help confirm we’re creating the aesthetic we want, but I always encourage homeowners to select their plumbing fixtures at the same time we’re selecting the other materials and here’s the big secret as to why - once demo is done, guess what goes in? Rough plumbing - this is the stuff in the wall that you don’t see that gives you your hot water. You won’t have a shower (or a soak!) without the valves - these are the guts of your bathroom.
Some valves are universal, meaning they can receive different trims (the trims are the pretty pieces you use/see - a.k.a. finish plumbing), and some can’t - so you want to be sure to work with a professional who can help you select these pieces.
Yes, you can purchase these online, but don’t sell yourself short, you want to know what you’re buying, so I always recommend you shop at a plumbing showroom so you know your options. In addition to the valves, you’ll also want to order the shower drain (again - the guts of the drain get installed right after demo!), and if you have a separate tub (not a tub/shower combination), you’ll want to order the tub and tub filler ahead of time as well.
You can purchase your cabinet hardware, towels, towel bars and even tile online, but don’t skimp on the plumbing fixtures. You don’t want to rip open your pretty tile shower wall if something leaks! Sometimes, the valves and drains can take a while to get, so you want to make sure you order your plumbing fixtures before your contractor needs them on site.
Pro Tip: If you’re planning on a new curb-less shower, confirm the drain size and type with your contractor before you order. The drain size usually depends on which direction the floor joists are running and the size of your shower and the drain body may depend on floor material thickness and/or plumbing waste line connections!
Questions? Comments? Ready to upgrade your bathroom? Contact me today.