Chicago Bathroom Remodeling Ideas for 2024
Does your Chicago bathroom bring you tranquility? Does it bring you joy? Do you enjoy living in it? If the answer is no to any of these, keep reading. The world is already hectic enough, your home should serve as an oasis to help you get through daily life and also help you unwind. If your bathroom doesn’t meet your needs in your life, it might be time for a change. Our Chicago bathroom remodelers at Arete’ Renovators have put together some fresh new remodeling ideas for your 2024 bathroom remodel to inspire you and help you envision your new dream bathroom. Let’s get into it!
Color, Color, Color!
This year, color is back! Of course, we can use soothing grey and neutral tones to relax, but we can also use color psychology to curate the moods we want for our homes. Cool blue can be comfortable and inviting, whereas a bright yellow color can promote happiness or creativity. If you are looking to make a bold unique choice, a bright color could be the perfect way to do that.
Maybe Barbie Pink is calling your name for that fun energetic vibe! Or a bright lush green for that refreshing crisp feel. Or maybe a refined terracotta for that sophisticated but warm pop. If a saturated shade is too much for you, you can go for a pastel or muted shade in your design. Whether it’s a speck of color in a terrazzo marble, or a whole color-blocked bathroom, updating the color shades of your bathroom can lead you to a space you deeply enjoy. We encourage you to dig deep and really think about colors that could potentially enrich your daily life.
Spa Amenities at Home
#TreatYourself. It’s time. You’ve worked hard and long enough, you deserve a bathroom that pampers you. If you were waiting for permission to create a bathroom that serves you and your needs, I am giving you that permission right now. A bathroom that gives spa vibes (or is actually just a spa) could be a perfect choice for your bathroom and be a great investment in your own mental health. Our first recommendation for a Chicago home would be heated tile floors. Those winters get CHILLY!
There is nothing more luxurious than stepping into that bathroom in the morning and being greeted by nice warm floors on your bare feet. Another way to elevate your primary bathroom would be with a sauna. The hot steam from a private sauna in your own home can relax your muscles and your mind. Another integrated spa feature worth considering would be aromatherapy. Of course, you can always hang some eucalyptus in your shower, but what if your shower itself could emit eucalyptus essential oils? Luxury bathing features can make your daily routine feel that much more luxe.
Bring Nature Indoors
Humans are meant to be connected with nature. Although Chicago has many beautiful parks and green spaces, we are still in a city. It’s important to bring elements of nature into our homes so we can feel close to nature every day, no matter the weather or season. One main way this can be done is so simple you may not have thought of it, and that is including natural light. Skylights and high windows are a great way to incorporate the sun’s light without compromising on privacy. If those options aren’t available in your space, consider frosted privacy glass or glass block windows.
Another integrated nature option would be incorporating plants and greenery into your space. We recommend bringing plants into your space to purify the air and lift your mood. If you are interested in going one step further, integrated planters may be the perfect way to bring that true spa oasis vibe to your primary bathroom. Finally, the perfect way to round out the natural vibes in your bathroom would be with natural finishes and textures. Your dream bathroom might have wood grain tile, natural fiber drawer pulls, or an incredible cut of natural stone with unique and striking veining. Any little way you can strive to have more nature in your life can enrich your mind and help you feel grounded.
The Perfect Lighting
Lighting is maybe the most important aspect of a bathroom. There are two main aspects of light that you need to consider when making lighting choices. The first is color temperature. Colder light temperatures come from direct sunlight or from daylight fluorescent lights and are characterized by a cool bright white look. Warmer light comes from incandescent bulbs or candlelight. The second aspect of lighting to consider in design is the quality of the light. Hard light is characterized by focused light with hard shadows whereas soft light is more diffused and has soft shadows.
The perfect bathroom lighting really differs, depending on who you are and what you use your bathroom for. If you use your bathroom to do skincare and apply your daily makeup, then having a vanity with even, daylight-temperature lighting will help ensure that your makeup looks great once you step out into the world. If you want a softly lit bathroom with a soothing vibe, opt for a lower color temperature warm-toned light, and fixtures with frosted glass or a diffused finish. If you want your bathroom to have an amazing aesthetic with minimal features, the versatility of hidden edge lighting and mirrors with integrated LED lighting could help you achieve your intended look.
DESIGN TIP: Make sure you are looking at any color swatches, paint chips, and samples under the correct lighting. If you are standing in a store looking at a tile sample under cold, fluorescent lighting, and then you bring it home and have it installed in a bathroom that has warm, soft lighting, don’t be surprised if it looks completely different. It is important to consider lighting temperature at every part of the process so you can be making consistent choices about what looks best in your home.
Smarter Storage
A huge part of what makes a bathroom calm or frantic is the amount of things in that bathroom. Clutter can make your bathroom more stressful than it needs to be. If you are vigilant about your process, you can make sure to incorporate smart and useful storage in your bathroom so that the space is efficient and keeping it tidy is easy. Here are a few ideas to help you figure out what solutions are best for you. Consider having an integrated hamper cabinet. Instead of taking up more floor space with a pile of dirty clothes, or just a hamper, make one of the cabinets in your vanity into a hamper.
This will keep dirty clothes hidden and tucked away until they can be collected and cleaned. Another great option would be custom cabinetry for makeup and beauty tools. Instead of storing these items piled in bins underneath your vanity or right on top of your countertops, consider utilizing a pullout drawer so nothing gets lost behind other things on a shelf, or think about turning false drawers into a tip-out bin to maximize storage. Why not design a pull-out vertical storage drawer with metal cups for makeup brushes, curling irons, or whatever else you may need to store? Curated, custom storage solutions can maximize efficiency in your bathroom and give you that extra boost by streamlining your routines.
Accessibility Now, Not Later
Finally, nothing can bring relaxation like the reassurance of knowing you are ready and prepared for the future. As we age, our needs will inevitably change. As our bodies slow down, it is important to consider what mobility aids you may need to incorporate into your life as well as your home. You or a loved one may need to use a cane, walker, or wheelchair at some point, and considering this when designing your bathroom can ensure the longevity of your home.
Adding a wall handle next to your shower bench or bathtub can make it easier for occupants to sit down and stand up in your shower or bath. Choosing a walk-in curbless shower and wide enough bathroom doorways can ensure that wheelchair users can still easily access and use your bathroom and shower. Even including a lower shower faucet valve or hand shower attachment can help make your shower more usable for everyone.
If you are investing in your forever home, it’s important to make sure that you can stay there forever. And even though you may be young and able-bodied now, the needs of your family could change at any time. Instead of putting off accessibility needs, why not address them while you are remodeling and save yourself the hassle of doing another remodel down the line? Here at Areté, we want you to love your remodeled space for years to come. Future you will thank you for thinking ahead.
If you still need any guidance finding the perfect choices for your dream Chicago bathroom remodel, we invite you to visit our showroom and talk to our design team. Our staff at Areté The Art of Design are eager to help you hone the vision for your beautiful new home. Our designers can offer their insight and experience, and in our showroom, you can look at photos and samples to help you feel good about a glamorous new Chicago bathroom renovation.
Areté The Art of Remodeling can also help you through the build process of your bathroom remodel. We are here for you, don’t hesitate to reach out with questions! We believe in building relationships based on trust and transparency, and we’re dedicated to delivering quality workmanship that stands the test of time. Contact our bathroom design professionals at Areté today at 773.683.3033 and let us help you make the most of your bathroom renovation.