After over 25 years of bathroom remodeling across 12 states (and counting), we can tell you exactly what most homeowners need to address during a bathroom upgrade and the best way to address it. Read on to discover solutions for:

• Ugly or outdated bathrooms
• Bathroom wear and tear
• Mold growth in the tub or shower
• Small bathrooms or cramped layouts
• Bathroom accessibility problems

Regardless of the age of your home, you should consider upgrading your bathroom if you’re noticing signs of wear and tear. In fact, we tend to see just as many problems in new homes with cheap builder grade bathroom materials as we do in older homes. This can range from scratches and cracks in your fiberglass bathtub to warping in your shower base to more serious problems behind your shower walls.

Quick fixes, DIY solutions, and low-cost options to address bathroom wear and tear:

• Recaulk the seals around your toilet and sink (only as a preventative measure; call a professional if you notice existing water damage)
• Sand and repaint your vanity cabinets using a water-resistant paint

Bathroom remodels that address serious wear and tear:

• Upgrading your plumbing, subflooring, studs, and other behind-the-scenes structural materials
• Replacing your tub and shower with a new, customized tub and/or shower unit

Mold doesn’t need much to grow: warmth, moisture, and a porous surface. It’s no wonder that bathrooms, where moisture is abundant, are hotbeds for mold growth, especially when you add in porous materials like grout. That said, just because mold growth is common in bathrooms doesn’t mean you have to continue to live with it.

Quick fixes, DIY solutions, and low-cost options to address mold growth in the bathroom:

• Use a mold-specific cleaning product or a DIY solution of one part distilled vinegar and one part water to clean surfaces with visible mold
• Clean your shower vent and commit to running the bathroom ventilation system or opening the window for at least 15 minutes after every bath or shower

Bathroom remodels to address mold growth in the bathroom:

• Replace your tub or shower using a company that will demolish the existing materials and remove mold behind your shower walls
• Use a mold-resistant, water-resistant shower wall and tub material, like high-quality acrylic, rather than tile and grout

When you dream of your perfect bathroom, it’s probably spacious and airy. Your real bathroom is anything but. You may not be able to expand the square footage of your bathroom (this would require an expensive studs-to-done remodel), but you can probably make some changes to the layout of your bathroom to make it feel less cramped and more functional.

Quick fixes, DIY solutions, and low-cost options to address a small bathroom:

• Hang floating shelves above your toilet to increase storage while maximizing vertical space
• Repaint your walls using a light neutral tone, like eggshell white, soft sage, or pale gray to increase brightness and create the illusion of more space

Bathroom remodels to address a cramped bathroom layout:

• Invest in a tub-to-shower conversion with either a smaller footprint than your existing tub or a glass shower door that opens up more visible space
• Replace a double vanity with a single or floating vanity

According to the Census Bureau, only 10% of our existing housing is ready to accommodate aging homeowners. That means the vast majority of seniors and disabled adults will need to make targeted changes to make their home safe and accessible to live in. Due to slippery surfaces, frequent use, and dangerously high tub ledges, the bathroom is a great place to start.

Quick fixes, DIY solutions, and low-cost options to address accessibility needs in the bathroom:

• Replace a loose or high-pile bath mat with a low-pile bath mat like the Gorilla Grip Chenille Bath Rug to reduce tripping hazards

Truthfully, accessibility upgrades don’t make great DIY projects because they typically involve structural changes or weight-bearing accessories like grab bars. For comprehensive accessibility and safety solutions, take a look at our guide: Create a Safer Bathroom: Best Shower and Bath Remodels for Seniors.

It’s not always easy to make a big decision about your home. Once you’ve decided that it’s a good time to remodel your bathroom, you’ve got more decisions ahead, especially when it comes to picking the right bathroom remodeling company for the job.

The best way to get started? Scheduling a consultation with a trustworthy bathroom remodeler in your neighborhood. Find out what to expect from your bathroom design consultation if you take the next steps with ZINTEX.