March 2025 - Beissel Renovation

Bathrooms may be small spaces, but they add so much value—especially when they are practically designed and beautifully modernized. Remodeling these rooms is popular—yet it can be an intricate process as well. With tile, flooring, lighting, fixtures, and more involved, it is a good idea to plan every aspect of your bathroom remodel with thoughtful care—starting with these common design elements.

9 Smart Moves to Make with Your Bathroom Upgrade

As you meet with prospective bathroom remodelers, do some research, check out online magazines, and visit design showrooms to gather ideas about details like these:

1. Arrange the Layout for Maximum Visual Appeal

Although a bathroom’s purpose can feel utilitarian, its appearance should be inviting and attractive. Think carefully about where to place each fixture—sink, tub, shower, and toilet. Sometimes the layout is already set due to plumbing, but you still have options for modifications and for materials. When you step in, the focal point should be something you can enjoy every time you see it—such as a lovely mirror, a striking light fixture, or a decorative glass window. Ideally, the look of the room should be appealing to a guest if the door happens to be left open.

2. Invest in an Accessible Layout

No matter your age or abilities, universal design elements make bathrooms comfortable and accessible for everyone. These elements include small, easy-to-install tools such as handheld shower heads and levers for faucets and doorknobs. For big-picture accessible features, talk with your design team about installing a walk-in shower, grab bars, and wide doorways that can accommodate those with wheelchairs or walkers. These practical elements are convenient for guests, extended family, and potential homebuyers or if you are planning to stay in your home for years to come.

3. Craft a Well-Lit Space

Daily routines such as shaving, applying makeup, and more require good lighting. Consider adding different types of task, ambient, decorative, and accent illumination, and look at how much natural lighting you can achieve with a window. Ensure a well-lit vanity by placing the mirror at eye level, with a long light fixture above it or scones along both sides. Before installing lights permanently, test them out to see if you like them. LED fixtures are a popular choice because they are energy-efficient and long-lasting.

4. Value Traditional Elements Like a Bathtub

It may be tempting to replace a tub with a large shower—but before you make that commitment, think carefully about the long-term effects that decision will have. It can be desirable to have a bathtub in your home when it comes time to sell. A lengthy soak can be soothing and good for your muscles and mindset, even if you only do it a few times a year. If your space is tight, remember that manufacturers are getting creative these days. A smaller tub could be installed to give you the added luxury without crowding the room too much.

5. Ensure Proper Heights of Fixtures and Accessories

Taking the time to place all your bathroom elements at the right height and location can dramatically enhance how comfortable and pleasant your upgraded bathroom is day-to-day. As a general rule, towel bars, toilet paper holders, robe hooks, mirrors, and more should be placed for easy access. You can, of course, customize the placement of fixtures and accessories to fit your own height and any special requirements you may have.

Note, too, that different appliances may need to be different heights than is traditional. For example, countertops are often installed 32 to 34 inches above the floor, which works best for built-in sinks. If you are choosing a sink that will rest atop the counter, then the counter height may be better slightly lower so you can comfortably wash your hands.

6. Plan for Ample Storage

Built-in storage is a plus, because it is so effective at making your bathroom easy to use and it helps keep your bathroom looking clean. For convenience, add recessed cubbies and nooks in your tub and shower to store everyday bath toiletries. If your bathroom is spacious, you could install a double sink with attractive shelves and cabinets underneath.

7. Include Radiant Floor Heating and Heated Towel Rails for Extra Comfort

The little touches in your bathroom matter—this is, after all, a space that gets used every day. If there is a specialty feature you would particularly like, do your best to fit it into your design budget because you will be able to enjoy it often. One of the most practical and indulgent choices is radiant floor heating. Simply stepping onto warm tiles on cold mornings is a spa-like delight. Pair this with heated towel rails for a truly soothing experience.

8. Make the Most of Any Unique Vintage Features

While your goal with a remodel is likely to create a modern, updated style, there may be fixtures in your current bathroom that are striking—and could be hard to replace. Perhaps you have a specialty tile that is still in good shape and would be complicated and costly to remove. You might also have a beautiful wall mirror or decorative sconces that can be refreshed rather than replaced. Talk with your design team about any elements you would like to retain or repurpose so the overall remodel is cohesive.

9. Balance Style with Practical Function

Premium tile, quartzite counters, tinted grout, and wood floors can give your bathroom undeniable charm. It can be well worth investing in a few unique features, such as a dramatic color palette, linen shower curtains, a tasteful bidet, or an elegant copper sink. Be sure to also consider practical elements that make a bathroom easy to use—such as additional electrical outlets and conveniently located panels for accessing plumbing.

Picture the Possibilities for Your Bathroom Remodel—with Beissel Renovation

A freshly remodeled bathroom can truly enhance your home lifestyle. When you are ready to make updates, our team of experts at Beissel Renovation is here to assist you. We are part of Beissel Window & Siding, which has 75 years of experience serving the Twin Cities Metro. We welcome your questions, offer personal attention, and provide guidance and craftsmanship you can rely on. Connect with us today to begin the process of creating the bathroom redesign of your dreams.

As one of the rooms in your house that gets the most use each day, your kitchen should be designed to suit your needs. So, it is not surprising that kitchen remodels are desired by homeowners. Remodeling is also an intricate process with significant costs involved, making it important to do it right.

Our goal is to ensure you are delighted with the results of your remodeling project. For that reason, we have put together this list of factors to weigh carefully as you ensure your new kitchen is exactly as you desire it to be.

Give Yourself a Perfect Kitchen with These 7 Smart Moves

Often, people make mistakes with their kitchen remodels because they fail to take these decisions carefully into account. Here is how to ensure you are right on track to have your dream kitchen.

1. Evaluate Goals, Must-Haves, and Negotiables

A wise first step in remodeling your kitchen is to clarify your goals for your new kitchen. We recommend beginning with a list of your desired features—including more appliances, larger countertops, added cabinets, flooring, special fixtures, and anything else you can dream of having.

Next, determine which items you cannot live without, and which you can compromise on. Weigh factors such as how long it will take to source certain features, how complex they are to install, and how they impact your budget. Refine your plan until you have perfected it.

2. Coordinate Cabinets, Counters, and Backsplash

Failing to think about color palettes and complementary materials can make a kitchen look less appealing. It helps to consider these details early in your design process, testing out samples in your current kitchen to see how well they go together.

Natural lighting and the feel of surrounding rooms can also influence the materials you choose—as does the level of upkeep you are willing to do. Decide how traditional or dramatic you want your space to be, and choose colors and materials to match.

3. Plan for Ample Storage

It can be fun to focus on exciting new fixtures such as that dream butcher block island, deep farmer’s sink, or smart-tech refrigerator you like so much. Easier to overlook, unless you are mindful, is storage—yet this is one of the chief reasons a kitchen remodel is so beneficial.

A good idea is to take stock of what you own, and then plan your new storage so that it suits how you prefer to use your kitchen. Cabinets that extend to the ceiling, decorative hangers for your pots and pans, a coffee nook with space for mugs—all of these should play into how your space is laid out.

4. Create Room for Comfortable Movement

Another area that can be missed is planning for ease of movement. Your kitchen will benefit from having a spacious layout so you can walk around, open appliance doors, pull out barstools, and more—with plenty of room for others to move around you. This is especially key if your family or your guests tend to congregate in the kitchen with you.

A comfortable arrangement makes it easier to access everything without feeling cramped, so measure carefully and leave plenty of margins for clearance. As you do so, remember to incorporate the direction you want drawers, cabinet doors, and appliances to open as well—so that nothing is blocked or awkward when in use.

5. Ensure There Is Bright Lighting

Since a kitchen is used at all times of the day and into the night, ample illumination is vital. It can be fun to think about looks—for example, stylishly decorative lights offer lovely visual appeal—but there is more to lighting than that. Plan to include different layers of lighting to perform different purposes and provide the brightness the space needs.

Ambient lighting brightens the entire room and makes it feel welcoming. Task lights help illuminate specific workspaces like islands. Decorative sconces can draw attention to wall art or other design features. New or additional windows can also be a benefit, if your plans allow for that level of remodeling.

6. Add Electrical Outlets for Improved Functionality

If your home is on the older side, it is likely that you could use more electrical outlets. In fact, even a more contemporary build can benefit from having extra outlets, because they make it easier to rearrange your appliances any time you choose.

Remember to include some on the perimeters of your walls, where the kitchen meets other spaces (such as the dining room). If possible, add outlets to your kitchen island and even within certain cabinets to provide more convenience as well as the opportunity to hide appliances until they are needed.

7. Plan for Plenty of Counter Space

A common mistake too many homeowners make is not giving themselves enough room for prepping food. To avoid this issue, consider how you prefer to use your kitchen—and design the upgrades so that you have lots of countertop space to take advantage of. Having ample work room between the stove and the sink is handy. A kitchen island with different levels may be a good option.

For more inspiration as you plan your kitchen remodel, explore these practical upgrade ideas for Minnesota homeowners.

Create Your Dream Kitchen with a Top-Notch Remodel from Beissel Renovation

The best way to achieve a beautiful, functional kitchen that performs the way you desire is to plan your remodel carefully down to the last detail. Thoughtful designing allows you to avoid common mistakes—such as exceeding your budget, focusing too much on impractical trends or outdated styles, and overlooking measurements and other key details.

When you are ready to take your next steps toward your new kitchen, we are here to help. As part of Beissel Renovation’s detailed design and planning process, an experienced and knowledgeable project manager will guide you through your options and ensure all materials and services match your expectations. Learn more about our kitchen renovations—and envision your kitchen transformed beautifully.

Month: March 2025

9 Things to Consider When Remodeling Your Bathroom