There are many benefits of remodelling your basement bathroom. For starters, consider the makeup of your household. If you currently only one bathroom or you have a larger family and need an additional one, an extra usable bathroom in the basement will make all the difference. Basement bathrooms also have proven to yield big returns when it comes time to sell your home. Our expert contractors at Harmony Basements recognize however that it can be difficult to decide which type of basement bathroom renovations you want. That is why we have compiled a list of the best basement bathroom ideas to hopefully inspire you to find your perfect blend of function and style.
1. Let Light In Where You Can
A full-size window may not always be possible to employ in your bathroom downstairs depending on your basement bathroom layout. How far below grade your basement sits determines whether you have the necessary room or not. With that said, some semblance of natural light is imperative, so be creative with the types of windows that can accommodate the space. Clerestory-style windows are an example that provides natural light because they sit high up on the wall. Plus, the skyward position means you will have plenty of privacy and window treatments are not required.
2. Add A Luxurious Shower
Glass-walled basement showers are one way to add a high-end feature that’ll make your basement bathroom one of your home’s most luxurious spots.
3. Install Walk-On Roof Lights
For those seeking small basement bathroom ideas, an excellent choice is to install walk-on roof lights to ensure natural light permeates the room from the spaces above. This effect particularly works well for underground spaces, i.e., basements, and in turn, creates a space that feels more expansive and larger.
4. Warm It Up
Because basements are located subterranean, they can tend to feel a bit cold. By incorporating furniture pieces like a warm-toned stool, side table, or wooden dresser, you can cozy up your basement bathroom to make the space feel more part of your home. These types of complimentary furniture pieces tie the room together to give it its own sense of comfort and refreshing taste.
5. Draw The Eye Up
Older homes traditionally built basements with lower ceilings, meaning your bathroom downstairs has standard height limitations. Painting the crown moulding for example is an effective way of drawing the eye upwards and making the room feel larger. Another choice could be to paint the trim black and add a collage wall.
6. Get The Most Out Of Unusual Basement Spaces
Embrace your entire bathroom space to make the most of your basement. If you’re dealing with low ceilings, awkward corners, or a sloping site, embrace the individual qualities to enhance those quicks and make your new bathroom even more unique. An innovative basement shower idea can optimize a change in floor level and built-in storage units make the most of the space available to create a reflective finish in a stunning, modernized bathroom.
7. Add Wallpaper
The details of your basement bathroom matter and they should be prioritized just as purposefully as any other room in your home. The tile floors, a built-in shower, and a glossy finish vanity are noteworthy basement bathroom design choices, but the wallpaper really can give your bathroom that extra oomph. The otherwise monotone-coloured and cool palette space can be warmed up by choosing a rich colour. A traditional pattern adds sophistication and gravitas to make a bold statement.
8. Remember Good Lighting Is Key
There are three essential lighting options to consider when planning for your basement bathroom: ambient, accent, and task lighting. Ambient lighting is general lighting used to illuminate the room at large, so ceiling-mounted light fixtures, a small chandelier in the ceiling, or pendant lights do the trick. Accent lighting illuminates’ special objects or pictures, so LED strips or wall sources for example will add that finishing touch to any space. Task lighting is used in vanity mirrors or is strategically placed in areas where illumination is vital, i.e., for putting on make-up or shaving.
9. Create A View With A Feature Wall
Choose simple fixtures so you can invest in a mural or statement wallpaper. A majestic monochromatic-themed bathroom is elegant and timeless. Just the style you want out of your bathroom space.
10. Contrast Light And Dark
Make a big impact by matching an on-trend bold wall with a pale wall tile. One of the best basement bathroom ideas is tile flooring because they’re resistant to dampness and moisture. Another idea would be to install white toilets for basements containing a dark-coloured floor so the contrast between light and dark will complement one another.
11. Reference Natural Elements
Introducing links to the great outdoors is essential to combat basement bathrooms’ familiar feeling of lacking a connection to the outside world by suffering from a lack of natural light. To restore that connection to nature, natural stone tiles, wooden vanity units, or even a natural clay wall finish are effective design choices to reference natural elements. The same recommendation can be applied to install the best basement toilet possible.
12. Get Creative With Lighting
When working with a contractor, architect, or electrician, plan for lighting in your basement bathroom. An example is, before adding the finishing touches, insert an LED strip within a shadow gap to create a beautiful wash of light.
13. Make The Bath Your Centerpiece
One of the most beautiful elements of a bathroom is freestanding bathtubs. When designing a new bathroom, placing the tub in the middle of the floor provides a luxurious finish, mirroring a boutique-like hotel. Add LED wall panels with suitable flooring to make bath time enjoyable for adults and children alike.
14. Create A Light Well
Basement bathrooms struggle with natural light because of their subterranean nature. Therefore, to avoid feeling claustrophobic or cramped, add a glazed light well to the outside of your basement bathroom to achieve a more airy, fresh-feeling space.
15. Tile A Wetroom
In hopes of creating the ultimate showering experience, and a luxury one at that, pair a realistic marble effect with a flush shower tray with matte or slip-resistant tiles. The inclusion of a freestanding bath with ceiling speakers is a nice touch to sit back and relax.
16. Heated Bathroom Floors
Most basement floors are built straight on the concrete slab and tend to be cold all year round. One of the best ways to change this uncomfortable feeling and improve the functionality of your bathroom is to add a heated floor. In addition to the obvious advantages of heated bathroom floors, let’s look at some of the additional benefits.
First, because your new or renovated bathroom in the basement is closest to your electrical panel compared to other floors of your house, the electrical work to install a heated floor is the cheapest in the basement bathroom. What’s more is that because flooring is coldest in the basement, you will notice and appreciate having it heated compared to other bathrooms in your home.
17. Contemporary Colour Schemes
Incorporating a contemporary colour scheme can be quite the valuable choice to include in your basement bathroom renovation. Not only does this help your bathroom appear brighter and more inviting, but this colour palette is on-trend! This timeless look should help prevent you from feeling the need to update your basement bathroom with new colours anytime soon.
The light, warm, and soft colours that make up a contemporary colour scheme are generally preferable over loud and dark colours because they are more comforting. Some popular contemporary color palettes include neutral colors like white, gray, and beige paired with bold accent colors like mustard yellow, emerald green, or navy blue. The opposite colours create high contrast and vibrant looks when used together.
Closing
While there are many basement ideas to implement in your bathroom downstairs, hopefully, our compiled list of 15 ideas has presented a glimpse of just how many possibilities are available to you. The days of your basement bathroom feeling outdated and looking bland is a design of the past. The modern bathroom layout ideas that contribute to an oasis-style space is possible with any one of the many suggestions listed here. Let us know what basement bathroom style you liked the most and are willing to try for your own basement bathroom. Harmony Basements will be happy to offer you a detailed quote for any of the ideas you read today or for any basement renovation project in general.
FAQs
Absolutely, a basement bathroom is a great idea! Adding a bathroom to your basement is known to result in a positive ROI and you will likely see an increase in the overall value of your Toronto home. Plus, turning a boring, unusable space into a nearby bathroom adds convenience and is beneficial regardless of whether you sell or not.
Yes, there is a lot of value a basement bathroom can add to your home. Building a new basement bathroom or renovating an existing one can potentially increase the resale value of your home by upwards of 20%. The transformation of remodeling this often-underutilized space into an attractive, functional area is of particular interest to potential home buyers.
There are many ways to improve your basement bathroom. For example, wall décor, good lighting, wallpaper, a new paint job, a decorative mirror, flooring, and/or patterned tile finishes on walls, can all add significant value to your home. Try installing a shower, adding a new sink vanity, or replacing the toilet for an upgrade even larger in scale.
Yes, most local building codes require a basement bathroom to include a vent if an open/close window is that available. In some areas, even if your bathroom does have windows, ventilation fans are still required. If you do build a basement bathroom, make sure to include proper vents.
