How To Identify Function In Your
Existing Bathroom (or Kitchen)

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Renovation projects are large tasks. They can feel overwhelming before you begin. The reason you even want to begin in the first place is because you’ve thought about what needs to be updated, changed and redone. However, while you scan your space and dream of newness and upgrades, don’t forget to also locate the things that already work and don’t necessarily need to be touched.

Here are some tips to help you spot existing function in your bathroom (or kitchen):

Demo vs Decorate

Before you get started on your renovation project, pay attention to the parts of the room in question (bathroom, kitchen or otherwise) that you use the most, such as cabinets and shelving. Do the size and location work well for your needs?

If you don’t have overflowing bathroom drawers or jam-packed kitchen cabinets, you may want to decorate instead of demolishing in these areas. A coat of paint, new handles, and even storage organizers can help you update without needing to fully renovate, preserving existing function in your home. If you do have storage issues, this is something that kitchen or bathroom renovations can solve, as you are probably missing organization options and practical spaces.

Layout, layout, layout

Changing the layout of your space can be a huge undertaking, especially if you want to move water fixtures or appliances. It’s one thing to think big with your renovation ideas and realize that the sink would feel better on the other wall, but if your layout is open and functional, it may make sense not to scrap it. Before you start a kitchen or bathroom renovation, ask yourself a few questions:

• Does traffic flow well?

• Do you have enough prep space and ample room near your sink?

If you have enough prep space, preserving an existing functional layout saves time and money. If traffic does not work in your space, take it as an opportunity to correct your layout during your renovation. Paying attention to the flow of your room is one of the best ways to identify what’s missing from your space.

Don’t floor it

Next up in our functional review of renovation planning is what’s going on under your feet. Before your bathroom or kitchen renovation, check out your floors. Are they in good condition? Do they still look good?

Keeping your flooring in place and opting for a refinish over a re-do is a great way to salvage some of the existing function in your space.* Most wood floors can be re-stained and updated, and even tile can be thoroughly scrubbed to look almost new.

*Note if you have carpet in your bathroom or kitchen – this is the exception. It’s gotta go.

Jump to the tub

This tip applies specifically to a bathroom renovation, but it refers to such a huge part of your room that it warrants its own mention. The tub. Your tub is one of the focal points of your space, so it makes sense that you want it to look breathtaking. That being said, a perfectly functioning and clean tub does not always need to be replaced.

During renovation planning, inspect your tub and look for signs of wear, stains, and chips that could hinder its performance in the near future. If your tub still works great and still looks new, it’s probably safe to say that it can stay. An all white, simple bathtub can also be completely transformed by the elements around it, so your existing tub doesn’t have to feel old once your bathroom renovation is complete.