It’s nearly impossible to plan, execute, and complete a bathroom remodel on the basis of misinformation. Half-truths and full myths can undermine the process by limiting your ability to make well-informed decisions. As a result, if you don’t have all the facts straight, the whole project could go awry. Whether you’re an experienced home improver or a novice homeowner, you have a lot to gain from a thorough debunking of the most common bathroom remodeling myths.

Keep reading, and that’s exactly what you’ll find.

Myth #1 – Bathroom remodels are always expensive.

Like any good myth, there is a grain of truth to this. The reality is that bathroom remodels can be expensive, but they certainly do not have to be. How much you spend on the project will depend on how much you want to change. Minor adjustments to flooring, cabinets, or lighting can be very economical changes if you tackle them yourself.

However, your new bathroom can get more expensive if you want to make drastic changes to the room (see Myth #2 below for an example). Expanding the room or moving your plumbing can be beneficial, but will require a higher cost.

Our team of professional designers works hard to bring you the best services at the best price through our Personalized Design experience. If you want to learn more about what Cabinet World can offer you, give us a call for a free consultation. You can meet with us face to face at one of our Pittsburgh Kitchen & Bath Design Centers.

Myth #2 – You have to expand the room.

There’s something alluring about a large, extravagant bathroom, but at the end of the day, it’s not about the amount of space in your bathroom. It’s all about what you do with that space.

We expand even more on that point in our blog post about Making the Most of your Bathroom Storage. There, we explain exactly how you can reap the practical benefits of a large bathroom without moving a single wall. With the tips from that blog post, you’ll be well on your way to a space-efficient bathroom, no matter its overall size.

If your bathroom is smaller than you’d like, you can still earn the fashion merit of an extravagant bathroom without compromising the room’s other qualities. All you need to do is learn a few tricks of the eye.

Adjustments to lighting, layout, and more will expand visual space, if not physical. Learn more about that in our blog post, How to Make a Small Bathroom Look Bigger.

It’s beginning to look like the myth of the bigger bathroom is simply unfounded, but let’s not jump to any conclusions. Every home is unique, along with the homeowner and his/her needs. It’s entirely possible that your bathroom is truly too small, and no amount of storage hacks or tricks of the eye can help it.

If that’s the case, don’t hesitate to break the mold and move a wall. You’re not locked into the current dimensions of your bathroom, whether it’s too small or too big.

Myth #3 – Adding luxury is a must.

Your bathroom is a sanctuary of self-care and relaxation, so it’s only natural to wish it were more luxurious. That wish only becomes a myth if you mistake it for a necessity.

The truth is that oftentimes the basic package of a product will suffice if it’s what works best with your budget.  Jetted bathtubs, sweeping marble vanities, or walk-in glass showers, however tempting, are not necessities.

Now that does not mean you can’t remodel your bathroom with a little flair. Wishes do come true, after all. Just remember that they’re not essential, and you may have to let one or two go for the sake of your budget.

Myth #4 – Bathroom remodels just aren’t worth the money.

A well-done bathroom remodel leaves no room for buyer’s remorse. Making your dream bathroom a reality isn’t just worth the money – it’s priceless.

Even better, remodeling pays you back by increasing home value. In this way, the average homeowner recovers 60% of what he/she spent on his/her bathroom remodel, and some recover all or more of it. Home improvements cut their own costs, giving you all the more bang for your buck—possibly even a net profit.

It’s hard to believe that bathroom remodels aren’t worth the money when they make money.

To make the most, your project needs a thorough plan. Home improvements aren’t really improvements without a little guidance and a whole lot of thinking ahead. Thankfully, the executive elements are easy to foster through our Personalized Design experience.

As part of this experience, one of our design experts will meet with you in the comfort of your home for an at-home visit to discuss your upcoming remodel and see your space. We’ll help you anticipate the entire remodeling process, along with special steps that may be necessary to accommodate the unique layout of your bathroom.

In turn, you can help us understand how and where to work with you as the project continues. It’s your bathroom, your home, so you call the shots. We’re here to assist you from project start to completion.

Myth #5 – Extra features lead to a higher utility bill.

The impact of adding bathroom features depends on the quality of those features. For example, an efficient, eco-friendly appliance won’t let your money swirl down the drain.

What’s more, you could even lower utility expenses more than ever before by replacing worn-out appliances with a those of a higher quality.

So don’t let this myth scare you into settling for less. If there’s an appliance or feature that you would love to see in your bathroom, have at it. If you have questions about a certain feature, feel free to ask us via a phone call or visit.

Myth #6 – You have to keep up with the latest trends.

It feels good to be in style. New shoes, a fresh haircut, and a modernized bathroom—each one boosts confidence like nothing else. Yet once the fashion of the day passes for trends of the next, that happy feeling may turn into an unpleasant pressure to keep up. It becomes a source of stress and the root of this myth, as well.

There’s nothing wrong with staying in style, of course, but please don’t feel that you must. You don’t need to worry if something looks ‘so yesterday,’ but only if it looks ‘so you.’ That’s especially true of the bathroom, where you should be able to relax with no fear of judgement.

Holding the room to any standard but your own makes any calm experience harder to achieve. The situation worsens if you’re under a financial burden, which makes this myth a double-edged sword. Turning trends into the benchmarks of remodeling implies that your best opportunity to modernize the bathroom is through a major home improvement.

In reality, there are many ways that you can change the style of your bathroom without changing the room structurally. You might try adding decorations or repainting the walls. These are the small, tasteful adjustments that can lead to a fashionable look without the expense of a total remodel.

If you want some decoration inspiration (and remodeling suggestions, too!), check out the Hottest Trends in Bathroom Design and Décor for 2020.

Myth #7 – You can’t move the toilet, sink, or shower… or you have to move them.

There are two sides to every coin, and the same goes for this myth. On one hand, you’ll meet people who’ll tell you that you simply can’t remodel the bathroom without moving an appliance. On the other, you’ll find people who say that the opposite is true.

Well, we’re here to tell you that neither claim is true, because – like we said earlier – it’s your bathroom, your home, so you call the shots. In the absence of a structural/plumbing crisis, there’s no need for you to rearrange the bathroom as part of your remodel. That being said, there’s nothing preventing you from doing it, either.

If you’re not sure whether you’d like to move a bathroom appliance or not, consider how well you’re able to move about the room. Is one area more cramped than another? Is the shower easily accessible? Does the door block anything when it opens?

By answering these questions, you’ll have the right perspective to determine if the toilet, sink, or shower should be somewhere it’s not. Our team of designers will help you answer these questions as part of our Personalized Design experience, so you don’t need to go through them alone.

Myth #8 – Bathroom remodels are easily completed as DIY projects.

To understand the fault of this myth, let’s first define what a remodel is precisely.

Remodeling – as opposed to, say, renovating – results in significant changes to the structure and/or functionality of a room. In the case of bathrooms, these changes include replacing appliances, moving the walls, and more. Each job will likely require some combination of drywall, plumbing, and electrical work.

All things considered, you have to be a Jack of all trades – a handyman mastermind – to completely remodel the bathroom by yourself, and perhaps you are. Still, in our nearly fifty years of doing business, we’ve noticed that everybody could use a hand at some time or another; and if that means we have the chance to work with you on your next big project, then we’re happy to offer our help.

Myth #9 – Overhead lighting is the only option.

Most artificial lights in the house are mounted to the ceiling, under domes or below ceiling fans. Yet while overhead lighting is incredibly common, it’s far from a homeowner’s only option.

Lamps are the first alternative. Tastefully arranged, they’ll brighten a room in warm light, covering every square inch from just as many angles. Lamps can also serve as secondary or complimentary lights, shining directly on specific areas or adding texture to the atmosphere.

Recessed lights are another option for you to consider. These shine from cavities that have been carved directly into the ceiling, wall, or floor. They’re unobtrusive and absolutely perfect for creative illumination.

You can get even more creative by using a variety of lights (overhead, lamp, recessed) and lighting shades (warm, cool, bright). We talk more about the endless ways to make your bathroom shine in our blog post, How to Personalize the Lighting in Your Bathroom.

Myth #10 – Ventilation is a minor concern.

This myth that couldn’t be further from the truth. Proper ventilation is, in fact, critical to keeping a safe and clean bathroom. It’s a bit like the air filter in your HVAC system that stops dust from breezing about your home.

The only discrepancy in our comparison is that – while the air filter catches solid particles – bathroom vents instead whisk away moister. In doing so, the vents reduce the chances of mildew appearing, because mildew relies on a high level of humidity to grow.

Another benefit of bathroom ventilation would be its cooling effect on the room. By encouraging air circulation in a room that is otherwise sheltered from drafts, vents prevent the bathroom from becoming stuffy. This makes everything more comfortable for you, and it protects the walls, flooring, and wood fixtures from mild heat damage.

To make a long story short, ventilation should not be a minor concern during your next bathroom remodel. Instead, make it a top priority by initially ensuring that your current ventilation system is able to meet regulations. If not, you’ll want to update it as soon as you can.

Once that is taken care of, stay mindful of the vents as you proceed with remaining home improvements. Make sure that whatever changes you implement will not obstruct or damage the ventilation system. If necessary, you may be able to move ducts in order to accommodate certain adjustments.

Myth #11 – Tile is the way to go, no matter what.

Tile may be an excellent choice of flooring for your new bathroom, but it’s not the only fish in the sea. There are many other flooring types and materials available, including marble, concrete, glass, wood, and even rubber.

Any one of those would make for a picture-perfect bathroom floor, but as you make a selection, remember: it needs to compliment the rest of your bathroom in color, pattern, and texture. No matter how elegant a certain flooring looks, it won’t do you any fashion favors if it clashes aesthetically with the room’s other elements. But again, this isn’t a decision you have to go alone. Visit one of our Kitchen & Bath Design Centers to see a variety of flooring options. Our designers have expert knowledge and can help you make a selection.

In all likelihood, there are many more myths plaguing home improvement than what we had the chance to cover today. However, as long as you plan your bathroom remodel with care, your new bathroom is sure to be an masterpiece.

It’s also beneficial to learn about the remodeling process and other related topics. The key to a new bathroom that raises the bar is raising your own level of awareness. If you need a place to begin your research, check out our blog post on Your New Bathroom: Mood, Style and Room to Move. You’ll also want to read about 10 Things to Know Before a Bathroom Renovation.