A couple looks at their new master bathroom remodel completed by Poulin Design Center
Author Poulin Design Center

Master Bath Remodel – Organization Ideas You Can’t Afford to Miss

As you read about bathroom remodeling ideas, you’ll learn:

  • Which upgrades are the best investments
  • How these upgrades improve the convenience, functionality, and style of your bathroom
  • How to change the look of your bathroom

One of the most overlooked rooms in your house is the master bathroom. You may spend a lot of time redecorating your living room or renovating your kitchen, but your bathroom might be one of the last spaces on your list to renovate. However, updating your master bathroom is a great way to make your living space more comfortable and add more value to your house. Here are some master bathroom remodel ideas that can help you make the most of your space.

Upgrade Bathroom Hardware

Changing out your bathroom hardware is a simple upgrade but makes a big impact on the aesthetic of your space. Go for a modern look with black hardware, or choose silver fixtures for a classic, timeless look. If you want your space to look elegant and luxurious, try gold hardware. You can find hardware in a wide variety of styles and colors, making fixtures easy to match and fit every preference.

Add Recessed Shower Shelves

Recessed shower shelves are great for both convenience and style. They add dimension to your shower and give you a convenient place to store soap, shampoo, and conditioner. You can choose from shower shelves of different sizes to find one that meets your needs.

Create Built-In Shelving Everywhere

Every bathroom needs plenty of storage space. If you just don’t have enough closet or cabinet space, consider installing built-in shelves on every available wall in the bathroom. You can use the space as open storage to display your items or organize bathroom essentials in cute baskets for convenience.

Include a Shower Bench

One of the things you need to consider about upgrading your master bathroom is future medical needs. If you have any condition that makes it difficult to stand for long periods, or you are worried about losing your balance as you age, a shower bench is a great option. Choose from built-in benches, fold-down seats, and corner seats for your shower.

Update Shower Walls

Shower walls can be made of various materials. Changing the material can drastically change the look of your master bathroom. While many of our customers have tile in their showers, we encourage them to change to a solid surface like our Re-Bath wall surrounds or Corian. They naturally repel mold and mildew, are easy to clean, and have great warranties available.

Update Your Shower Head

The technology for showerheads has grown so much in the past decade and there’s no reason to have the original shower head that your home came with. Consider a dual shower head that includes 2 heads: the standard head or handheld—the handheld is especially useful if you need to sit while showering and make cleaning your shower a breeze. There is also a rain shower head, which can provide more spray coverage. Lastly, take a look at a high-tech shower head that can adjust the flow and pressure during your shower.

Add a Soaking Tub

Few things are more relaxing than soaking in a hot bubble bath. Standard bathroom tubs allow you to submerge most of your body, but they don’t give you much space to move around. If you like to take baths, a soaking tub is a great investment, and you can choose from a wide variety of styles to accommodate your personal taste. And don’t forget about walk-in tubs for those who need an accessibility option, which are typically loaded with jets.

Opt for Floating Cabinets

Choose floating cabinets instead of standard ones to add a little extra style to your master bathroom. Instead of extending all the way to the ground, floating cabinets are vanities that hang on the wall and stop a few inches from the floor. You can use this extra space for storage or leave it empty, so you can see the wall behind the vanity to make your space feel bigger.

Double Up On Sinks

Installing double sinks is great for both functionality and style. Instead of having to take turns getting ready in the bathroom, you and your significant other can get ready at the same time with two sinks and extra counter space. A long vanity also gives you more storage space. Having two sinks makes the bathroom look bigger and more luxurious, so this upgrade is a great investment.

Install a Makeup Vanity

You may not have enough space to get ready every day at your bathroom counter. Consider upgrading your bathroom with a smaller makeup vanity instead of having makeup supplies spread all over while you get ready each day. This will become your designated place to get ready each morning, and you can incorporate plenty of storage, so you have a place to keep makeup without cluttering up the counter. You can even place a padded stool at the vanity so that you can sit down and stay comfortable while applying makeup.

Add a Backsplash

You may already have a backsplash in your kitchen to add style and color to the space, and you can use the same concept in your bathroom. Incorporate a tile backsplash on your walls to give the space a pop of color without being overwhelming. If you’re going for a timeless look, stick to classic black and white tiles. A neutral backsplash is a great option for a luxurious aesthetic.

Swap Out Old Flooring

A lot of bathrooms have laminate flooring. Changing the type of flooring in the space can change the entire look of your bathroom and make it easier to clean. Consider installing luxury vinyl tile flooring. You can choose from wood-look colors and enjoy the benefits of it being waterproof, durable, and warmer to the touch than tile. Of course, if tile is your style, there are many customizable options to use in your master bathroom. You can even incorporate a mix of colors to add dimension to your bathroom. Use a bunch of small tiles to create elegant patterns, or choose large tiles to make your bathroom feel bigger and more open.

Maximize Natural Light

Lighting is an important element of any space. There are many fixtures you can install to adjust the amount of artificial light in your bathroom, but there is nothing quite like the effect of natural light in a bathroom. Consider installing at least one large, open window or skylight to allow plenty of natural light to filter into your bathroom. Natural light can make even a small bathroom feel larger.

Design Your Dream Bathroom Today!

If you are considering a master bath remodel, it is important to partner with an experienced contractor to make your vision come to life. Poulin Design Center is happy to help people who live near Albuquerque or Santa Fe, New Mexico, with bathroom remodeling. Our design center is conveniently located on the Pan American Freeway, just north of Paseo Del Norte, and our Santa Fe location is off Rufina Circle, just around the corner from Meow Wolf. We have been remodeling bathrooms for more than 40 years, and customer satisfaction is our top priority. If you need help visualizing your new bathroom before we remodel, our team would be happy to create your 360˚ photorealistic render of your project. Contact us today to schedule a free design consultation with one of our professional designers.

Image Source: Andy Dean Photography / Shutterstock

Author Vanessa Cervantes & Laurene Johnson

Top 3 Reasons to Get Your Remodel Started Now

Most of our customers like to get started on their remodel after the first of the year—the holidays are over and it’s time refresh the house and reassess life at the turn of the new year. However, this is not any normal year… this is year where we have faced secondary impacts due to the global pandemic, including supply and demand delays, labor shortages and price increases. Which is why we are encouraging our customers to get the remodel processes started now and not later.

Reason #1: Save Money

Starting any home improvement project is an investment of time and money to your home and lifestyle. We have seen multiple prices increase from our manufacturers over the last year and a half, and they’re projected to continue with inflation next year. This is the #1 reason why we want our customers to start the process now. They can lock in their price for their remodel, before new price increases hit, and save money on their remodel for next year.

Reason #2: Get Your Products Ordered NOW

I’m sure you’ve seen delays in getting products in nearly every industry— from appliances to toilet paper—the supply and demand chain is in serious condition. When you get started on the remodel process now, you can order your products to get everything in when you’re ready for the installation. Right now, receiving products are causing the longest delays to start remodel jobs for our customers.

Every one of our cabinet lines are 17-20 weeks out from when the order gets placed. Prior to COVID, we would receive cabinets within 6-8 weeks. Certain plumbing fixtures are backordered or discontinued. And appliances take an average of 6 months to get in—this one we strongly suggest ordering sooner rather than later!

Point is, once you’re happy with the new design and product line, order them now so you can plan when your home will be remodeled next spring.

Reason #3: Schedule Your Remodel

Before your remodel can be scheduled, you need to be happy with the new design and products that will be in your kitchen or bathroom. After this, we order products and wait for their arrival, and schedule a tentative start date. Once everything has arrived in our warehouse, we double and triple check the products to ensure what you want is what we have before we start demolition. There is a fine-tuning with this process to ensure everything was done accurately so that your remodel goes smoothly. We want to fully satisfy our customers through our proven production methods but will need to balance the delay between signing on and starting the remodel—patience is key in this area and we appreciate the trust you put in our company as we are being diligent through the entire waiting period.

Planning is Key

Prior to COVID, there was no need to plan your remodel so far in advance. The majority of the delays are due to manufacturing and shipping due to a limited supply of goods and a labor force shortages. We have many manufacturers stationed in the USA, however many of the components they need, like particle board for example, are from China, delaying their process.

The Poulin Way

As a team that is proactive in helping our customers, we are always strategizing ways to decrease any delays we may encounter. One such way that we have improved customer timelines is by opening up an in-house fabrication shop where we build custom Corian shower bases, wall surrounds, and countertops. This way we can better control our leads times.

Additionally, we are a franchise with Re-Bath—the #1 bathroom remodeler in the US. With Re-Bath, we have manufacturing capabilities to supply our customers with wall surrounds, shower bases, bathtubs, and walk-in tubs. Both methods have cut down the waiting period on some bathroom projects.

Lastly, we have a unique system of product selection, in which our team evaluates products for good distribution, availability, and warranty. This process helps us to not offer products that quickly get discontinued or back-ordered, due to supply shortages and high demand.

Get Started Now

If you’ve been considering a remodel for next year, please get started on the process now. Save money, order your products, and get your remodel scheduled for next year.

Call us at 505-880-2500 or click below to schedule your free design consultation.
Schedule your Appointment
Poulin Design Center remodeled bathroom
Author Nextstar Agency

Increase The Value Of Your Home with a Bathroom Remodel

Remodeling your bathrooms may significantly increase the value of your home and make it a more comfortable place to live.

  • Consider renovating a current bathroom or adding on an additional one.
  • Some bathroom upgrades bring a greater return on investment than others.
  • The Cost Vs Value report will help you determine your return on investment for your bathroom renovation.

No matter how long you’ve lived in your home, you probably still have remodeling projects you’d like to do. How do you choose which one should take priority? Bathroom remodeling is a home improvement project that can significantly increase the value of your home.

Reasons Why Buyers Like Renovated Bathrooms

Potential buyers like to see renovated bathrooms, especially in an older house. When a homeowner takes the time to upgrade the rooms, the buyer sees someone who cares about the property enough to take care of it and invest in keeping it up well. In particular, a bathroom remodel can help lower utility costs because these rooms consume a great deal of water and electricity. Also, buyers know that bathrooms get a lot of traffic every day, from the morning rush to get out the door to the routine of getting ready for bed at night. A newly renovated bathroom is a place that buyers can see their families starting and ending the day.

Types of Bathroom Remodels

Updating your bathroom is one of the best home improvements to increase value. Depending on your needs, you may be looking to remodel an existing space or add another room.

Complete Bathroom Remodel

Perhaps it’s time for a complete overhaul of your existing bathroom. Assess your available space, and the design and decide if it’s working for your everyday use. Before changing the aesthetics, examine the plumbing and fixtures to ensure that everything is in good working order. Repair or replace anything that is damaged or leaking to avoid expensive damages later. Once this work is complete, you’re ready to evaluate whether you need more space and how you would like to change the room’s design.

Tub and Shower Updates

If you need minor updates to your bathroom, consider easy upgrades that will be cost-effective and functional for your bathroom needs. Consider a tub to shower conversion to eliminate the tub from the bathroom for a lower threshold shower base. You can also change out your tile to a solid surface, like our Re-Bath Durabath SSP line or Corian material, which is groutless and resistant to mold and mildew.

Aging and Accessibility Solutions

As more people decide to stay in their homes longer, aging and accessibility solutions are important, especially in the bathroom space. As an ADA compliant company and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist, we have trusted upgrades that help our customers stay safe in their homes. The most popular upgrades that we give our customers are: safety grab bars inside and outside the shower; low threshold shower base with slip-resistant technology; shower seating; dual

Bathroom Addition

If your family is growing and you need another bathroom, consider an addition. While it’s more expensive than renovating a bathroom you have, adding bathrooms is an excellent way to make your home more appealing to buyers when you get ready to sell. Real estate professionals report that most people are looking for a home with a master bathroom, at least one other full bathroom, and another half bath. To complete a bathroom addition, you’ll need a general contractor to give you an estimate of how much the project will cost. If you’re concerned about the return on your investment in your bathroom remodel ideas, you can look at the Cost Vs. Value report for the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas.

Tips for Increasing the Return on a Bathroom Remodel

The investment range for your bathroom remodel ideas will depend on the size of the room, the scope of the work, and the products you install. According to the Cost Vs. Value report, you could get up to 57.6% of your investment back when you resell your home. Changing out some bathroom features has a more significant impact on resale value than others. Here are some renovations that tend to get you the greatest return on your bathroom remodel.

Energy-Efficient Upgrades

When planning your renovation, look for ways to make the bathroom more energy efficient and kinder to the environment. Because they use a great deal of water and electricity, bathrooms present an excellent opportunity to conserve resources. LED lighting, high-efficiency faucets and showerheads, and water-conserving toilets are just a few of the possibilities. Even if you don’t choose the latest and greatest model of everything, upgrading to newer equipment saves water and electricity anyway. Older models grow less efficient over time, so your 20-year-old toilet is far less efficient than a new one of the same model.

Walk-In Showers

If your plans involve master bathroom remodel ideas, a walk-in shower makes the home more appealing to most buyers. People like the idea of not climbing into and out of a tub, especially as they get older. They’re also aesthetically pleasing when they’re designed and constructed well. While it may be tempting to change out every tub in the house for a walk-in, leave the tubs in your other bathrooms; bathtubs are preferred by families with small children. Having both in the house makes it appealing to a broader range of buyers.

New Flooring

Most bathrooms don’t have tons of floor space, so this project usually isn’t too expensive. However, new flooring can completely change the look of your bathroom for the better. Traditional porcelain or ceramic tiles continue to be the most durable choices for their ability to function well in the wet environment and their reasonable price. If you want to invest in total luxury, consider heated flooring. Stepping onto a warm floor when you get out of the shower might be worth the extra expense.

Updated Fixtures

Doorknobs, cabinet pulls, faucets, and showerheads draw your eye when you enter a bathroom. If they’re old or showing signs of wear, the whole room feels outdated. You can find beautiful new fixtures that are affordable and fit with the new look of your bathroom. You’ll be amazed at what a difference such a small change makes in your bathroom remodel ideas.

Fresh Cabinetry

The number and condition of the cabinets in your bathroom are an essential part of your remodel. You don’t have to get rid of your cabinets entirely, though. If they’re made of quality materials, you could consider refinishing them or updating the hardware. If you have room to add more cabinets, a bathroom renovation contractor can tell you that storage space is always a plus to a potential buyer.

Where to Learn More

While resale value is undoubtedly a consideration for bathroom remodeling, keep in mind that homeowners rate the project high on the “joy score” scale from the National Association of Realtors. This number measures the level of satisfaction and joy a person feels while living in a particular house. On a range from 1-10, homeowners report that renovated bathrooms yield an average of 9.6, well worth the bathroom renovation cost.

When you’re ready to start your bathroom renovation in the Albuquerque or Santa Fe area, contact Poulin Design Center. We can help you from start to finish with your bathroom remodel ideas. We have state-of-the-art design tools and almost 40 years of experience assisting clients to get the look and feel they want for their homes. Poulin Design Center is the only name you need for a bathroom renovation company, from shower systems to tile and everything in between.

Featured Image: Breadmaker/Shutterstock

Author Poulin Design Center

Shower System Solutions

Is your shower asking you to upgrade it? As a foundational element to your bathroom, the shower is a place to refresh and rejuvenate. But is it safe and functional for your family’s needs? Is it outdated? These are the top concerns that our customers tell us.

We know that a family’s composition may change over time, whether they add a little one in the home or an elderly parent. Some health conditions can also contribute to the need for a safer shower option.

To help you update your shower system, we have outlined our recommended shower wall surrounds, design selections, installation timeline, shower maintenance, and industry warranties. We want to make sure you have a SAFE, FUNCTIONAL, and STYLISH shower that will last for years to come!

Shower Wall Surrounds

There are a few great options for your shower wall surround. Our top recommendation will always be a solid surface wall surround since these are lower maintenance, non-porous and faster installations for our clients. Tiles is another option that provides a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes to suit our client’s design style.

Below are our top-selling wall surrounds.

Re-Bath Durabath™ SSP is a solid surface polymer that is non-porous, waterproof, and groutless. This makes it mold and mildew resistant and for a fast installation. This material is backed by a lifetime labor and material warranty, plus we give our clients free Re-Bath cleaner for life.

Re-Bath Natural Stone is another great option for your shower surround. The material comes straight from 3,000-year-old rock quarries across the globe, bringing a little piece of earth inside of your home. Natural stone is groutless, waterproof, and easy to clean. The unique veining and coloration won’t fade or discolor and is backed by a 10-year limited warranty. Keep in mind that this material will need to be sealed as needed.

Both the Durabath™ SSP and Natural Stone products can come in a variety of wall patterns.

Deluxe Master Shower

Solid Surface is another great option for your shower wall surround. Similar to Durabath™ SSP and Natural Stone, this is a manufactured wall panel that offers similar benefits. It is groutless, durable and easy to clean. There are a variety of designer colors to choose from and wall patterns. The wall patterns give the illusion of tile without the added hassle of maintenance.

Tile is another option that our customers love. It gives them flexibility in their design since there are many colors and materials to choose from. The various patterns available include subway, herringbone, chevron, straight, diagonal, offset, vertically stacked, and more. You can use small or large tiles or mix it up by adding a decorative tile.

Tile requires more diligence to maintain to prevent mold and mildew over time.

grey shower with black horizontal patterned tile

Design Selection Overview

Besides your shower wall surround, there are a few design selections you will have to make. Our company provides Professional Design Assistance to select your products in the comforts of your home or at one of our design centers.

Shower Base: Our company uses a custom solid surface shower base that is hygienically sound and highly durable for years to come. The 3 main shower bases that are available are standard threshold, low threshold (ADA compliant), and curbless. We also recommend adding a slip-resistant layer to your shower base to help prevent any falls in the shower.

walk in shower base

Showerhead: This is one of the most fun pieces to select for your shower upgrade. There are many styles of showerheads from modern to traditional in a plethora of finishes: Chrome, Brushed Nickel, Polished Nickel, Brushed Gold, Matte Black, and Oil Rubbed Bronze. Matte Black is our new favorite finish and is currently trending in homes across the nation. Features to look for are the size of the showerhead, handheld shower function, and of course the style of the unit.

walk in shower with detachable shower head

Grab Bars: to install added safety features, you can strategically place grab bars in and around your shower. We recommend grab bars near the shower entrance/exit points, shower seats, and even a grab bar shelf that can also hold your shampoo and conditioner.

bath and shower grab bars

Shower Seating: Another SAFETY feature to add to your shower system is shower seating. This gives you a place to sit down, if needed or store your bare necessities. You can choose a built-in shower seat, fold-down seat, or a corner seat. Some clients provide a separate chair unit, which is great if you need to move the shower seat. We do recommend an attached seat for better stability.

shower bench seating

Shower Shelving: You’ll need somewhere to put your toiletries, especially if you want to get rid of that shower caddy! Consider built-in niches, corner shelves, and dual-function grab bar shelves. Don’t forget to add a lower shelf for a footrest while you shave.

walk in shower with shelving

Shower Door Enclosure: To keep your splashes inside the wet zone, you will need a shower enclosure. Glass shower doors present a clean look while displaying the beauty of your new shower system. Your actual shower door can have a dual bypass door or a slider, as well as a pivot door. Most doors will come with a towel bar, handle and knob that comes in a variety of finishes. You will also want to consider the thickness of the glass to ensure your door is durable. We recommend going with a shower door that is at least ¼” thick. To protect your glass from water spots, we recommend investing in a glass shield treatment and a great squeegie.

shower enclosure

Shower System Installation

How long does it take to install your shower system?

Our team installs typical shower systems in 2-4 days. We demolish the current shower system and make sure to remove everything down to the studs. This ensures that there is no water damage, which could cause our customers huge problems down the road. We then install the new shower system for our client’s specific design. Keep in mind that our 2-4 day installation is for shower systems only, and do not include the other elements that a full bathroom remodel would have.

Maintenance of New Shower System

Now that you have a new shower system, you want to make sure it lasts for years to come!

One of the greatest benefits to using Durabath™ SSP, Natural Stone, or Solid Surface is that it’s EASY-TO-CLEAN and groutless. You also don’t have to worry about mold and mildew growing in your wet area since the materials are waterproof.

Plus, our Re-Bath clients will receive Free cleaner for life. This cleaner has the “magic sauce” for cleaning bathroom wall surrounds and our customers love it.

Industry Warranties

In the remodeling industry, there are various warranties to consider when remodeling your home.

The first is the Contractor’s Warranty:

  • Contractor warranty in New Mexico– According to NM Home Builders Association, “NM does not require a contractor to offer a warranty(1).” This means that if you hire a handyman or any contractor in NM, they do not have to guarantee any of their work in your home. This makes going with a reputable company even more important, and that you don’t use a contractor that will take your money and leave.
  • Poulin Design Center Warranty- To ensure that our customer’s remodel will last, we offer a 2-year labor and material warranty. We send out warranty letters every 6 months during this time period as a friendly reminder to keep your remodel in tip-top shape. If needed, we will send down a team member to inspect any issues and resolve them.

The second warranty is the Product Warranty. Our company has searched hard to find reputable and reliable companies to work with that have the best warranties in the industry. All the products we recommend can be found in our Design Centers in Albuquerque and Santa Fe for our customer’s convenience. Below are the warranties provided for the shower brands we stand behind.

  • Re-Bath Durabath SSP™-  LIFETIME labor and material
  • Re-Bath Natural Stone- 10-year limited warranty
  • Swanstone Solid Surface- Limited lifetime warranty

Please note that to ensure your warranty, you will need to register your products per instructions.

Closing Thoughts

One of our greatest joys is to enhance our customer’s lives by installing a SAFER, more FUNCTIONAL and STYLISH shower space for them to enjoy for years to come.

Now that you know what to expect, you can start planning your new shower. If you’re ready to take the next step for a Free Design Consultation, click below or call us at 505-880-2500.

Free Design Consultation
Stunning-Shower-Tile-Trends
Author Poulin Design Center

Stunning Bathroom Tile Ideas 2021

When it comes to bathroom design, one of the easiest places to make a statement is with the shower design. Glass doors allow your shower to be on display; so don’t be afraid to show off with a beautiful design. Here are some top shower trends to consider from the experts at the Poulin Design Center.

 

Chevron Tile and Herringbone Pattern Tile

Chevron tiles keep popping up in kitchen and bathroom designs alike.  This unique angled look is a great eye-catching way to install the tile. The chevron shape comes in many sizes so that you’re not limited to the design possibilities.  You can also achieve a similar look by installing classic rectangular tiles in a herringbone pattern as pictured above.

 

Wood Look Tile

Natural wood looks beautiful and gives your home a rustic feel. However, in a moist environment like the bathroom, it’s smarter to get your wood fix using a porcelain wood-look tile. This can be installed as flooring, but more and more it is used to create a truly unique shower design.  Consider classic browns or go with the stylish grey wood-look tile.

 

Lantern Shaped Tile

If you want your tile to exude elegance, you’ll want to make sure you consider lantern-shaped tile.  This shape of tile comes in various sizes and can create a beautiful shower and backsplash option for your bathroom design. Go with a classic white or feel free to add in glass varieties as well.

 

Small Porcelain Tile

Historic homes and buildings often feature small square ceramic tiles in the entryway and bathroom. Trends tend to come back and we’re seeing more and more homeowners going after this classic look. Smaller tiles can be used as the shower floor option and will provide great traction.  However, smaller tiles make the perfect accent for a shower wall. Consider a single vertical strip of smaller tile.

 

Have another idea?

Tile trends are constantly evolving.  If you have a design idea of what kind of tile you’d like in the shower, just let the experts at the Poulin Design Center know.  Our tile experts can make your dream bathroom a reality!

 

Photo: Jodie Johnson

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