BATHROOM REMODEL BASICSCHANGE THE LOOK, NOT THE LAYOUT If you've decided to start your bathroom remodel project, you realize you can't move the tub, toilet or vanity and are looking for ideas, you're in luck. Let's design around what you have, by making your bathroom remodel new, inviting, comfortable and one that looks more expensive than what it took to create.Of course, if your tub, toilet or sink is cracked, chipped or ugly, you may have to deal with that first. The most difficult is the tub and you have three options; replace, line or glaze. Replacement requires removal of the old tub - maybe by sledge hammer, reducing it to a pile and carrying the scrap out - then installing the new one. A medium to hard project, but the cheapest option - $200 or so. Talk to the people at the big boxes or search replace bathtub using the Google Custom Search Box (right). Installing a tub liner, on the other hand, should be done by a professional. Bathtub liners made for the DIYer are available but, because of the custom nature (meaning most have to be custom made for your specific tub) are nearly as expensive as going the professional installer way. Just imagine how many sizes and styles of tubs have been produced and sold in the past fifty years!  If not properly made, fitted and installed, liners leak. Then you have an expense! But, even though the liner really needs to be installed by a pro, the tub surround (the three walls surrounding the tub) is a different story. Plastic or composite tub surrounds are available at the big boxes for $100 to $1000, depending on style and quality. Installation is a snap and one person could do it on a Saturday afternoon with a few simple hand tools. Tile (see A Tile Countertop, think vertically) is another easy idea. Glazing is a process of preparing your old tub using chemicals and "painting" a new finish. If you plan to do this yourself, you'll need strong ventilation and have to wear a mask or respirator and goggles, as you'll be using industrial cleaners and hydrofluoric acid. If your tub has rust, you will have to prepare it by removing ALL rust and filling in the pits with body filler, sanding between applications. All hardware needs to first be removed and the floors, walls and surrounding area must be protected. A professional may be able to do the job for under $1000 and the most negative aspect is the strong, piercing smell, which may linger for days.  If your toilet absolutely has to be replaced, simply go buy a new one, along with a new wax ring. Its an easy, inexpensive job and one person can do it in a few hours. See what's available (and ask questions) at the big boxes and bath stores. If yours is a really old one, you'll save money every flush with a newer model anyway.Your main problem may be getting rid of the old one! Many cities now have places to recycle old fixtures including toilets, but some don't. Search recycle old toilet your town (ie recycle old toilet dallas tx) and remember; "perseverance pays." It may be a bit of a hassle, but if you have to get a new one, the planet will thank you! See low flow toilet.  The bathroom sink/vanity is the easiest of the three and the most important. If your bathroom remodel plans are for a guest bath or small bathroom, you might consider getting a little wild here. There are many, many new designs and options today. The sink, after all, is the one item everyone sees and uses. Changing out the sink and/or vanity also can make a huge difference to your entire bathroom remodel all by itself.Perusing the bath retailers and the big boxes will give you ideas, in both style and affordability. If your tub and toilet are okay the way they are, consider the impact a new sink (even an expensive one) will provide. Your bathroom remodel money will be well spent here. If you need storage, think about putting in a vanity with a new countertop (again, see A Tile Countertop). If space is a concern, think about a wall-hung or pedestal sink and consider, also, a one-piece vanity countertop with a molded-in sink. There are thousands of new ideas out there!  But first, give some thought to what you have and what's right with what you have. Would adding color, texture or a new tile floor do the trick for your bathroom remodeling project? You can't just paint the toilet or the bathtub, but you can add a designer toilet seat, a wall shelving unit around it and you can replace the curtain or shower door or tile the three walls surrounding the tub. Could your bathroom remodel work for you with a few well placed elements and some color? Art, plants, tile and color can transform this room. If you have a window, you have options upon options! An old linoleum floor can be tiled in a weekend. A new mirror can be in place in no time. Like wainscot? There are pre-made options in all kinds of styles and materials, besides simply extending the floor tiles. And simple lighting fixtures, available for $20 and up, can make an amazing difference to a bathroom remodel!  BATHROOM REMODEL CHECKLIST: Here's a Bathroom Remodel Idea List that may help you gather your thoughts and provide a little help. You may print this, write all over it and take it with you when you go exploring.• The Floor: What is it now? ________________________________________________________ What would you like it to be? _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ • The Walls: • The Vanity:
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As always, its a good idea to at least sketch the layout, on blue line graph paper using a regular pencil. Art is not the goal ... information is. And, note the information you'll have when you do this. 
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