Wants versus Needs and Your Remodeling Project

So we all WANT a five star, hotel quality, high end, luxury bathroom spa. But we certainly don’t all NEED so much. Wants and needs must be addressed and not over looked. You must be fair to yourself and to your bank account and consider every “want” and every “need” to determine what “wants” make he cut, because most of us don’t have the budget to let every “want” on the list. Another very easy thing to cave into is confusing the wants with the needs. Be honest with yourself and determine if it is truly a need or simply something that you want, but have convinced yourself you need it. 

Some examples of wants versus needs would be the vanity selection. Is your bathroom space going to be mostly designed for single person use, or double, or more. If you plan to have you and your spouse using this space regularly in the morning, then you can consider double sinks as a need. If you plan to be the only person in the space double sinks not only adds dollar signs to the overall cost, but also takes away from space that can be used for storage. Storage is a consideration for wants and needs as well. The more people using this space, the more storage will be needed. As equally true, if this space is only for house guests spending a night, or a few days, too much storage will only collect dust and take up space.

If your family is very earth conscious, then creating a green space may also be a necessity for you. While green spaces can inflate your initial cost or remodel, the savings in the years to come, as well as those to the earth, make it very much worth it. Dual flush toilets can save on your water bill and use less water. Low or no VOC paints are safer and emit no harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. Green bathrooms can be a need for some families.

Another legitimate need that is often at the top of the list is space. Sometimes a bathroom is simply too small. Often times a couple move into a home perfect for them, but a family begins to take shape and the house (and bathroom space) seems to grow smaller and smaller each day. If this is a need you should look toward closets that you can tap into or parts of a hallway to increase space. You may also have to extend outside your home. Architects and professionals should always be consulted if this is the case as it affects your foundation, roofline, and must adhere to building codes and permits.

If you want shower doors, as another example, simply because you like the way they look, perhaps this should go on your wants list. A shower curtain can accomplish the same thing for much less money. In the end prioritize your wants and add them to your plan as your budget allows.

• Browse our Bathroom Remodeling Guide and learn more
• Find out more about Bathroom Faucets
• Bathroom Sinks buying guide