Shop With Me: Wash Room Essentials
Is a project at #thehyggeranch really even a project if I don't have a wishlist of items I'm daydreaming about & coveting? Answer: No. I wouldn't be me.
Working on the powder room half bath washroom gives me a bonafide excuse to do some window shopping - as if I ever need one anyway - for all the details of the space. Shopping for a bathroom is nothing like when I was doing so for other projects, because (1) it's a renovation and (2) the space is extremely small.
This kind of project really only calls for shopping renovation fixtures, storage solutions, and finishing touches.
This would be a significantly shorter shopping wishlist, compared to the kitchen renovation or even the launderette. There are few considerations to make, outside of selecting tile and paint because this isn't some tucked away bathroom reserved for guests. We use it a lot. It's the closest to the flex lounge, media room, and garage, so whenever we're in one of those spaces, this is the bathroom we're using + it's the one other people use the handful of times someone is here. With a color scheme & design style in mind, it's been easy to sift through everything and pick out the items that'll be the best fit for us - in look & use.
What things should you be considering (and adding to your cart) when you're renovating a powder room, half bath, or washroom?
Renovation Fixtures
Whether you're changing all the fixtures, reusing the original fixtures, or some combination of both, these are likely gonna be your most big ticket items. We're talking toilet, vanity, sink, lighting, and mirror.
When deciding if & what to purchase, you'll want to take your time here - consider the space layout (is it changing or remaining the same?), gather precise measurements, and sift through site reviews. The items in this category are not items you want to rush, especially in the current industry climate and supply chain delays at every turn. These are the items we want to buy once and buy right, especially if we may end up spending weeks waiting for them to arrive. These are also key fixtures in the way the space with function, so taking your time will guarantee you longevity with the items you choose
Storage Solutions
In case you're like "Albie, what about shelving and/or the medicine cabinet?" you'll find those in this category - storage solutions - right alongside hooks, towel bars, baskets, and countertop organization. Designing a 2-piece bathroom, you have to be especially mindful of how things with be stored & organized because space is typically at a premium.
In small spaces, I focus on the finishes I use & the silhouettes - for example, acrylic items are visually "lighter" when you're scanning the room, while items with curves soften the space & feel less cluttered. This is also where we're gonna be thinking about how we use the walls - vertical storage, open storage. Finding a balance between wall mounted storage & stylish storage is the sweet spot.
Finishing Touches
With a vanity picked, toilet installed, cabinet hung, and shelves mounted... what's adorning & surrounding all of these items to make the bathroom feel complete? What comfort touches tie it all together?
Shopping for this category means styling... means getting to play with the pretty parts... that can also serve a function. It's not just a vase of flowers on the shelf... even though though that can totally be part of the design equation. It's the tissue box holder, the floor mat, the towels, the soap bottles, etc. It's the items you think about when people say "design is in the details" because good design really is in the details. These are also the items where you can really play with pattern, color, and texture if you went for a more subtle backdrop. While some people tend to start here - out of excitement for shopping - these are the items that'll punctuate my renovation statement.
As the renovation for the washroom progresses, my shopping list will become refined to make sure everything comes together in a way that looks & feels good... in a way that feels complete.
