Bathroom Remodeling 101: The Ultimate Guide (2025)

You’re tired of squeezing past the vanity. The outdated tile and the lack of storage frustrate you every single day. We don’t blame you—you deserve a luxury bathroom that feels calm and functional!

Bathroom remodeling allows you to create a space that supports your routines, feels like a retreat, and works for you long-term. Here’s everything you need to know to breathe new life into the most personal room in your home?

What are the Benefits of a Bathroom Remodel?

According to a 2024 study by Houzz, more homeowners are rethinking their bathrooms not just for looks, but for how they actually use them. The number of people remodeling to make their bathrooms more accommodating jumped from 23% to 27%—a clear sign that comfort, ease, and everyday flow matter more than ever.

A bathroom remodel is your chance to create a space that truly supports you, both in function and feeling. It’s more than picking out tile or updating fixtures. It’s about rethinking how your bathroom fits into your daily life.

Whether you’re improving accessibility, fixing a frustrating layout, or simply creating a calmer, more beautiful space, bathroom remodeling reshapes both the look and the use of the room. Not to mention, a freshly remodeled bathroom can help improve your resale value by an average of 26%!

3 Types of Bathroom Remodels

Not every bathroom remodel has the same goal. The type of bathroom you’re updating shapes the scope of work, design priorities, and how the space will ultimately support you (and your guests!)

Here are the three most common types of bathroom remodeling projects.

• Powder Room or Half Bath Remodels

A powder room is often small but highly visible. Remodeling this space focuses on high-impact design choices—think statement sinks, bold lighting, and thoughtful storage. Since it’s used by guests, style and functionality take center stage, even in a compact footprint.

• Guest Bathroom Remodel

A guest bath should feel welcoming and practical. Remodeling a guest bathroom might include improving flow, updating fixtures, and choosing materials that balance durability with comfort. It’s a chance to create a space that’s both beautiful and easy for visitors to use.

• Primary (Master) Bathroom Remodel

The primary bathroom is your personal retreat. A thoughtful remodel involves reworking the layout for better flow, adding a walk-in shower or soaking tub, improving lighting, and incorporating wellness features like heated floors or calming color palettes. It’s about creating a space that feels like a sanctuary.

Bathroom Remodel vs. Bathroom Renovation

People often use remodel and renovation interchangeably, but they mean different things, especially regarding bathrooms.

Bathroom Remodeling Changes How the Space Works

A bathroom remodel involves changing its structure, layout, or function. This could mean moving walls, reconfiguring plumbing, adding a walk-in shower, or expanding the footprint. Remodeling reshapes the space to better suit your lifestyle.

Bathroom Renovation Updates: What’s Already There

A bathroom renovation focuses on refreshing existing features. You might replace outdated tile, update fixtures, or swap out cabinetry, but the overall layout stays the same. It’s about restoring and upgrading, without changing the bones of the space.

Which One Do You Need?

If your bathroom’s layout frustrates you—or doesn’t meet your long-term needs—a remodel is likely the right choice. If you’re happy with the flow but want to update finishes and materials, a renovation might be all you need.

The Bathroom Remodeling Process, From Start to Finish

A successful bathroom remodel doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a thoughtful, step-by-step process to create a space that truly supports you, not just now, but for years to come.

Step #1: Discovery and Vision

We start by listening. You’ll share what’s frustrating you, what you wish was different, and how you want your bathroom to feel. Whether it’s accessibility, wellness, or simply ease of use, we’ll clarify your priorities before anything else.

Step #2: Design and Planning

Next, we translate your vision into a plan. This includes space planning, material selections, and integrating wellness-focused details like lighting, color theory, and storage solutions. Every choice aligns with how you want to live in the space.

Step #3: Budgeting, Permitting, Preparation

Transparency matters. We’ll walk through your budget in detail and set clear expectations for timelines. This step gives you a full picture of the investment and the process—no surprises.

Before construction begins, we handle the necessary permits and prep work. This ensures your remodel meets all local building codes and moves forward smoothly.

Step #4: Execute the Vision

We remove what no longer serves you—old light fixtures, outdated tile, and anything else holding your bathroom back. If structural changes are part of the bathroom layout, this is when we reframe walls, update plumbing, and adjust electrical systems to support the new design.

 

With the foundation set, we install flooring, tile, cabinetry, countertops, lighting, and plumbing fixtures. Every element is placed with care, bringing your design to life in a way that feels both beautiful and functional.

Step #5: Final Walkthrough and Finishing Touches

Before we call it done, we’ll walk through the space with you to ensure every detail meets your expectations. Final styling and adjustments make sure your new bathroom feels calm, supportive, and entirely yours.

Designing Bathrooms for Daily Wellness

These small design decisions have a big impact on your body and mind. Here are a few wellness-forward features to consider for your project:

• Heated floors for grounded comfort, especially in colder months
• Circadian lighting systems that align with your natural rhythms
• Color palettes based on energy and emotion, (luck us, we have Danette’s expertise as a True Colour Expert!)
• Mold-resistant, non-toxic materials that support respiratory health
• Steam showers and aromatherapy niches for a spa-like experience
• Smart toilets or bidets that elevate hygiene and ease

Remodeling with the Future in Mind

Whether you’re planning to stay in your home long-term or designing for loved ones with mobility needs, accessibility isn’t just smart, it’s also empowering.

As Certified Living In Place Professionals (CLIPP), we bring a deep understanding of how to design bathrooms that support safety, independence, and dignity—without sacrificing beauty. So, here are a few aging-in-place and accessibility features to consider:

• Curbless walk-in showers for smooth, barrier-free entry
• Grab bars that don’t look like grab bars—think brushed brass or matte black fixtures that blend seamlessly
• Comfort-height toilets and adjustable handheld showerheads
• Wider doorways and lever-style handles for ease of use
• Seated vanities or flexible counter heights

Compare Your Options: Smart Choices for a Better Remodel

Every detail in a bathroom remodel is a chance to align form and function. Here are some quick comparisons to help guide your decision-making:

Freestanding Tub vs. Walk-In Shower

• Freestanding Tub: Sculptural and luxurious, ideal for soaking and aesthetics
• Walk-In Shower: Space-saving, accessible, and easy to clean—especially great for aging-in-place designs

Porcelain vs. Natural Stone Tile

• Porcelain: Durable, low maintenance, wide design range
• Natural Stone: Timeless, earthy, and rich in texture—but may require more upkeep

Custom Vanity vs. Prefab Vanity

• Custom: Tailored storage, high-end materials, built for your space
• Prefab: Budget-friendly, quicker install, but less personalized

Why Stop at One Room?

Remodeling your bathroom is a meaningful step, but it’s just the beginning of what’s possible. When you remodel multiple spaces together, you create a home that works cohesively, flows better, and reflects your vision on a larger scale.

If your kitchen layout frustrates you, your bathroom feels outdated, and your living room no longer supports your lifestyle—chances are, it’s not just one room that needs attention. It’s the rhythm of your entire home. There are tons of benefits to redesigning more than one room at a time:

• Seamless Interior Design Cohesion: Colors, materials, and finishes work in harmony when planned as a whole—not patched together piece by piece.
• Greater Functionality: Open up floorplans, improve traffic flow, and enhance how each room supports the next.
• Time & Cost Efficiency: Bundling projects can reduce overall construction time and minimize disruption—saving you money and maximizing ROI.
• Future-Proofing: We help you plan for the life you want to live in your home five, ten, even twenty years from now. Whether that includes accessibility upgrades, aging-in-place solutions, or just a better use of space, we design with longevity in mind.

If you’re craving deeper change in your home, don’t just remodel the bathroom. Reimagine the way your entire home supports you.

Bathroom Remodel: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a realistic budget for a bathroom remodel?

A realistic budget for a bathroom remodel typically ranges from $15,000 to $40,000 for a minor refresh, depending on the size of the space and scope of work.  High-end primary bathroom remodels typically begin at $125,000 for Design-Build, especially when reconfiguring layouts, adding accessibility features, or selecting premium finishes.

Can you remodel a bathroom for $5000?

$5,000 may cover minor bathroom projects, such as new paint, fixtures, lighting, or hardware in a small guest or powder room. However, for full remodels involving plumbing, tile work, or cabinetry, will not get you very far.   Most comprehensive bathroom remodels require a larger budget to achieve lasting results.

Can you renovate a bathroom for $10,000?

$10,000 can cover a modest bathroom renovation, especially for small guest baths or powder rooms. This might include LVP flooring, fixtures, paint, and minor cosmetic updates like towel racks and toilet paper holders. For larger bathrooms or projects involving plumbing, custom cabinetry, tile, or luxury finishes, a $10,000 budget will fall short.

Why Choose Ron Scott Design Build for Your Bathroom Remodel?

Proven Expertise

With over 30 years in residential and commercial remodeling, every bathroom we create showcases meticulous detail, innovative solutions, and a seamless integration into your home.

Wellness-Focused Design

Our holistic design approach carefully considers accessibility, lighting, materials, and color, creating a calming, rejuvenating space that supports your daily rituals.

Boutique Service & Personal Attention

Our owners and senior designers work directly with you, guiding you personally through each decision. We listen closely, communicate clearly, and ensure your bathroom remodel authentically reflects your vision and lifestyle.

Emotionally Connected Collaboration

We thoughtfully guide your choices, aligning each detail with your unique tastes, desires, and values. The result is a space that genuinely resonates with you—providing both calm confidence and lasting satisfaction.

Refined, Timeless Craftsmanship

Our commitment to quality means your remodeled bathroom won’t just look beautiful, it will endure gracefully, serving your family’s needs for years to come.

Create a Bathroom That Feels Like Your Sanctuary with Ron Scott Design Build

Let’s design a space that’s more than functional—it’s calming, supportive, and built for how you want to live. From daily ease to long-term wellness, we’re here to help you remodel with intention. Book a consultation today or explore our bathroom remodeling portfolio to learn more about our work!