Upgrading Your Shower: Simplifying the Process Part 1

Hi I'm McKenna, an Interior Designer here at Flooring America. I have designed and helped clients build their dream bathrooms for a number of years. Whether you lean towards modern interior design ideas, timeless interior styles or sustainable home décor it is my passion to help homeowners navigate through the process of choosing the right products, layout and installation techniques to provide the form and function you deserve in your next custom shower design or accessible shower solution.  Renovation can be exciting for most homeowners, but many get overwhelmed once they realize the amount of choices needed to make in order to upgrade their shower. Here are a few pro tips to help you make the best decisions when it comes to your next remodel.

Planning and Inspiration: In order to make any real choices, your vision should be clear. What inspired you to upgrade your shower? Is it hard to clean, outdated, or a fault in the shower brought along the perfect opportunity to make it how you have always envisioned it to be? Do you need small bathroom remodel ideas? Are you ready to add accessible shower solutions? What features did you like about your shower? Once you know what needs to change, it becomes easier to know where to begin.  

When looking for design inspiration, keep in mind the style of the rest of your home. Unless you plan on doing a full remodel, I recommend keeping within the existing color palette so it does not feel disconnected from the rest of your home. Consider the vanity, countertop, bathroom floor, and paint that will be in the bathroom as well. This should help to greatly narrow down your options when you come into the store to look at materials and finishes. 

Design and Function: Creating an inspiration board will help clarify what you gravitate towards, as well as help me guide you to specific products you may be interested in but the style of the materials you pick is not the only critical factor. 

In our Flooring America tile showroom we have many trendy tile patterns that can make a statement  but designing for the function of your shower should always come first to ensure the safety, longevity, and ease of use of your shower. When upgrading your shower, it is the perfect time to access the safety of your shower. Was your shower pan slippery? Need to add some grab bars for additional support? Matte, or non-slick, tile is always recommended when putting tile on the floor in a wet space. Sanded grout adds the additional traction you may need. This is one reason why shower pans often have small mosaics, as the grout lines add additional grip.

Different materials require different amounts of upkeep. I'm here to help you answer questions like porcelain vs. ceramic and what are truly the best materials to use. Porcelain is often the best option for a floor tile, as it is the strongest clay-bodied material, with the least amount of upkeep. Ceramic, although more prone to breakage, is a perfect option for wall tile as the glaze it can be coated with is very shiny, slick, and wipes down easily. Glass, much like glass doors and mirrors, tend to show water spots, so it is not recommended in areas with hard water.

Natural stone, although beautiful with completely unique patterns, is the most difficult to upkeep. All natural stone requires a sealant to be applied as standard long term maintenance, as it is porous and water can seep in and create long term structural damage to your home. Natural stone must also be cleaned very gently, with either a gentle soap or natural stone specific cleaner, avoiding harsh brushes and scrubs. These are all important questions I will be asking and quantifying as we create your unique look.

Other functional design features to consider include niches and benches. Niches are a great alternative to the conventional corner shelf. They eliminate the need for additional storage options such as hanging organizers that tend to take up space. Niches are also a great place to put a bold accent tile you love without looking too busy. Benches, or even a small footrest could increase the functionality of your shower.

Whether you can easily picture the shower of your dreams or you need a little help with the process I would love to sit and visit with you and see if I can help transform your space with products that will last. 

                                                            McKenna