Designing an Easy-to-Clean Bathroom

Like many of us, cleaning the bathroom is something you do because you have to, not because you want to! There are many more fun things to do with your time. If you are considering a bathroom remodeling project, one way to reduce the need to clean starts with the design process. The choices you make early in terms of materials and design choices can give you a bathroom that looks great and cleans up easily.

This post will explore some bathroom remodeling materials, design choices, and strategies that can help your bathroom practically clean itself!

Bathroom Remodeling Fixtures for Easier Cleaning

A big part of creating an easy-to-clean bathroom starts with choosing easy-to-clean fixtures and finishes. For example, whether your shower includes a stand-alone tub or a shower/tub combo, installing a handheld shower can make it easier if you have mobility challenges. Plus, it makes cleaning the tub much easier and more efficient. Here are a few finishes and fixtures that can reduce clean-up time in the bathroom.

Faucets and Fixtures

You can start by choosing a finish resistant to water spots and fingerprints (or consider a finish that gets a better patina from these things). For example, oil-rubbed bronze is resistant to both fingerprints and water spots. Polished brass is another easy-to-clean choice. While a little more expensive, it has an easy-clean finish that looks great.

Consider a Linear Shower Drain

A linear drain runs along the wall, allowing you to have a flat shower floor. That means you can run large-format tiles right into the shower instead of using smaller tiles that must slope in multiple directions with a single slope. It requires less grout and is much easier to clean.

Toilets

When it comes to toilets, there are a few options to help make clean-up fast and easy. Consider getting it off the floor! One of the most dreaded cleaning jobs in the bathroom is getting on your hands and knees to clean around the toilet. A wall-mounted version is much easier to clean and makes cleaning the floor easier. If a wall-mounted version is not an option, choose a skirted model. The smooth sides don't catch as much dust and gunk. For the ultimate luxury, choosing a bacteria-resistant, self-cleaning model can shorten your clean-up time significantly!

Storage Options

A big part of cleaning is controlling clutter in the bathroom. Adequate storage can help to keep items out of sight and keep the bathroom looking tidy. Having a place for everything - toiletries, linens, and necessary items like toilet paper can make cleaning up a snap!

Easy-to-Clean Bathroom Remodeling Materials

Fixtures and finishes are just one part of creating an easy-to-clean bathroom. The materials you choose during the design process can go a long way to creating a comfortable, beautiful, and easy-to-clean bathroom.

Skip the Paint

Today, you have a wide range of options for wall finishes that are beautiful, durable, and easy to clean. Tile comes in a wide range of sizes and styles, allowing you to easily create the aesthetic and style you're looking for. Large format tile means fewer grout lines, and clean-up is as easy as running a damp cloth over the surface.

Consider Back-Painted Glass

Another easy-to-clean and beautiful option is back-painted glass. Back-painted glass works for both walls and countertops, is groutless, has minimal seams, and is easy to clean.

Easy Care Flooring Options

Your flooring is another crucial element in the time you'll spend cleaning the bathroom. Textured porcelain might look great on the floor, and it's slip-resistant. However, it can be challenging to clean. You'll have grout lines to deal with, and lots of grout means lots of time cleaning. A joint-free floor is the most hygienic and easiest to clean choice. Consider terrazzo or cushion-backed vinyl.

Go With A Frameless Shower Surround

A metal shower frame is the worst for low maintenance. Stuff collects between the frame and the glass and is almost impossible to clean. A glass wall shower is easy to maintain and gives your bathroom a more open look and feel. Today, several options are available to help repel water and soap scum. If you have the space, locating the shower in a dedicated wet zone can eliminate the need for a shower partition. Another great option is a hinged shower door instead of a sliding door. It offers a more traditional look that's much easier to maintain.

Select an Easy to Clean Countertop

Natural stone looks great. But is porous and will need regular resealing to keep it clean and water-resistant. Because of its porosity, natural stone is more prone to scratching and staining. Consider quartz. It's an engineered material that can be made to look like natural stone, is waterproof, and can be cleaned with soap and water.

Use Large Format Tile or Porcelain Slabs

We already mentioned the benefits of large format tiles and fewer grout lines. Taking it a step further, porcelain slabs eliminate grout lines, come in a wide range of colors and styles, and even mimic natural stone like luxurious marble. Thin slab porcelain is durable, never needs sealing, and retains its polished or hones look under all conditions.

Today, it's easier than ever to have a bathroom that is not only beautiful but is easier to maintain and keep clean. Making smart bathroom remodeling material choices and choosing the right fixtures and finishes can help you reduce the time spent cleaning and increase the time you spend relaxing in the tub! It starts with intelligent design. Talk to your bathroom remodeling contractor. They can help you understand all of your options when creating a bathroom that is as easy to clean as it is beautiful!

If you're considering a bathroom remodeling project, let us help you design the perfect, easy-to-clean bathroom! If you live in the Greater Madison area, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel. We can take your home to the next level of comfort, design, and function! Ready to learn more? We're always happy to answer your questions. Call (608) 846-5963!

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An Above the Garage Master Suite Addition Remodeling Project

We recently completed an addition for our clients, John and Amy, a professional couple with young children living in the Blooming Meadows neighborhood in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

Their home featured three bedrooms on the second floor. The existing master bedroom was outdated and impractical for modern living, and with three young children, two needed to share one of the two remaining bedrooms, and all three kids shared the second-floor bathroom. Another problem the family needed addressed was that John needed a private home office, and the one they currently had was a shared space that did not work well for his job.

Let's take a look at our creative solution for this young family!

A New Private Bathroom for the Adults!

One of the major elements on John and Amy's wish list was a private bathroom space just for them. They wanted plenty of space to get ready in the morning, away from the kids, and we delivered! The bathroom features a handcrafted Amish custom double vanity with a tower cabinet in alder wood, stained Carbon Gray. The contrasting Linnstone Quartz Calcutta pattern countertop brightens the space and ties in visually with the elegant tile work in the spacious walk-in shower. We added custom alder wood framed mirrors stained in the same Carbon Gray as the cabinets to complete the vanity. Over each of the mirrors, we installed Quoizel 2 light vanity fixtures to provide plenty of warm light.

In the shower, the 21st Century Tile 12x24 floor-to-ceiling tiles in Tivoli Silver give the room a bright and modern feel, and the low entry shower makes entering the shower safe and easy for the couple. We included a helpful niche in the shower for shampoo and other toiletries and, for contrast, used a beautiful hexagon mosaic accent tile. The glass doors give the space an open feel, making it bright and inviting. The Arbor Hills luxury vinyl plank flooring in timber adds a warm feel, giving the room a natural look with the benefit of waterproof LVP.

The Result

The final result of this second-floor master suite addition is a home that fits John, Amy, and the kid's needs and lifestyle perfectly. John now has the perfect private office space. Since John and Amy now have their private master suite, and each of the kids has their own bedroom giving them their own space to grow as they grow, their home is more comfortable and functional. And on the exterior, you can't even tell there's been an addition!

Are you considering an addition or other home improvement project? Let us help you design the perfect finished space! If you live in the Greater Madison area, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel at (608) 846-5963. We can take your home to the next level of comfort, design, and function! Ready to learn more? We're always happy to answer your questions.