Here’s Where to Save and Spend When Renovating Your Bathroom in 2021

When renovating a bathroom, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to function, design and budget – not to mention finding ways to make the room more water-efficient and “green”. Here, we break down where you can save and where you should spend when planning an environmentally conscious bathroom renovation in 2021.

Simple chic bathroom with a dark grey vanity, gold circular wall mirror, a white toilet and a white bathtub shower combo with marbled wall tile

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Tub Time

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: If you’re a shower person, it may be tempting to skip putting in a tub altogether; for resale reasons, though, every house should have at least one bathtub. But you can keep it simple – no jacuzzi jets, whirlpool air bubbles or in-tub lighting systems needed. A basic fiberglass or acrylic model gets the job done while saving energy and water.

Chic modern bathroom with large dark grey tiles on the floor and walls, a floating wooden vanity with a vessel sink, and a walk-in shower with glass doors

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Looking Glass

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: Glass shower doors – especially frameless ones like these – will cost a pretty penny upfront but they reduce the potential for mould build up and leaks in the long run. Plus, you never have to buy a replacement shower curtain and liner again, keeping needless waste out of the landfill and, ultimately, more money in your pocket.

Chic white bathroom with white square floor tiles, a towel stand with two potted plants, a white toilet to the right, and a walk-in shower with woven white tile and a Spectra Filtered 4-Spray Hand Shower Rail System from American Standard found at Splashes Bath & Kitchen

Splashes Bath & Kitchen

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Showered With Love

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: You don’t need to spend a fortune (or waste precious water) to get the shower of your dreams. Spectra Filtered 4-Spray Hand Shower Rail System from American Standard, found at Splashes Bath & Kitchen stores, sells for less than $300 and is loaded with features, such as a built-in chlorine filter and four spray functions. Your hair and bank account will thank you.

Chic modern bathroom with grey hexagon floor tiles, a wall ladder towel warmer, a walk-in shower with glass doors, and a round wall mirror above a floating ceramic and wood vanity with a vessel sink, folded towels and accessories

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Under Foot

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: When it comes to bathroom design, utility is key. So having a floor that holds up to a lot of (wet) foot traffic and is easy to keep clean is a must. Rather than going for an undeniably beautiful but costly, high-maintenance material (hi, marble!), consider that standard porcelain and ceramic tiles are inexpensive, eco-friendly and also offer endless design options.

Bathroom wall clad in large dark grey tile and a small white control panel for underfloor heating

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Walk This Way

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: While installing underfloor heating is a splurge at first blush, the savings from this energy-efficient heat source add up quickly once you start calculating. It’s ideal for bathrooms on the smaller side or in colder zones of the house that need a little extra heat to feel comfortable.

Beautiful chic bathroom with a long mirror above a large grey quartz vanity top with two vessel sinks, two potted plants and a group of green bathroom accessories

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Soft Glow Show

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: Lighting in a bathroom is important not only for the feel of the space but also the functionality – the goal is to not create dark, unflattering shadows anywhere in the room. You don’t require the latest models or expensive fixtures to achieve this; proper placement (above the vanity and overhead) and sensitive dimmer controls are the priority.

Beautiful bathroom with grey and white tile floors, walk-in shower with grey and white tiles, green grey painted walls, and Toto Washlet® C200 Bidet Toilet Seat with PreMist™, found at Splashes Bath & Kitchen, with two framed paintings above it

Splashes Bath & Kitchen

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The Future is Now

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: For nearly 500 years, Europeans have been using bidets in their bathrooms; in fact, thanks to a 1975 hygiene law, every house in Italy must have one bidet. Installing a Toto Washlet® C200 Bidet Toilet Seat with PreMist™, found at Splashes Bath & Kitchen locations, not only means you’ll feel fresher, but you’ll also be drastically reducing the amount of paper used and wasted each day.

Beautiful bathroom with a large steel pedestal bathtub sitting in front of a large black framed window, wide plank wooden floors, a stool topped with soaps and lotions, a bamboo ladder leaning against the wall with towels hanging on it, a large plant, and a set of three shelves hanging from the ceiling with role filled with potted plants, bottles and objets d’art

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Accessorize This

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: Don’t go out and spend money on those finishing decorative touches until the bathroom reno is complete. Live with the space as is for a few days to see how you use it before filling it up with accessories, plants and art. You may find that less actually is more.

Very modern bathroom with yellow floors, marble tile on the wall, a long yellow floating vanity with two black vessel sinks and two large round mirrors on the wall about them

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Fixture of the Scene

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: Investing in high-quality fixtures is like having insurance for the future – choosing high-grade materials and trusted brands means less maintenance and fewer replacements down the road. Tip: Single-handled faucets are space saving and easier to maneuver than their two-tap counterparts.

Beautiful white bathroom with large white floating vanity with quartz counter and six drawers, two sinks with silver coloured hardware, a vase of pink flowers, and a large wall mirror about it

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It’s All Vanity

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: The vanity and countertop are the centerpiece of the bathroom, so spending a bit more to get exactly what you want will be worth it. Look for a vanity style that maximizes storage space and cleverly hides plumbing in behind without obstructing drawers or doors, and a solid countertop that can handle the wear and tear of everyday life.