April 2022 - Page 2 of 3 - Normandy Remodeling

In most two-story homes, half-baths, or powder rooms, are traditionally on the first floor, with full baths being located on the second floor only. Normandy Designer Abby Osborn says that we’re seeing more families opt to add a full bath on the first floor to help with aging in place.

“Adding a full bath anywhere in your home will increase the resale value,” Abby says, “but adding a full bath to the first floor will help you eliminate the need to climb stairs to bathe on the second floor.”

A full bath on the first floor can be very helpful for those with injuries, or recovering from surgery, when going up and down stairs is a challenge. “Most first floor full baths have a shower only, solving the concern about stepping over a tub,” Abby adds. A step-in shower on the first floor is also beneficial if you have pets to bathe. There is no tub ledge to bend over while you suds up your four-legged friend.

If you’re wondering how this option might work for your home, Abby suggests looking at the size of your existing powder room. “Adding a full bath where a powder room was is the ideal scenario,” Abby says. “Depending on the existing footprint, the toilet and sink can remain in the same place and a shower can replace an existing linen closet.” Most first floor baths are successful with a pedestal sink and a wall mounted medicine cabinet versus a full vanity.

“If the existing powder room is too small to accommodate a full bath layout, you may be able to borrow space from an adjacent laundry or mudroom,” suggests Abby. Putting on an addition is also a possibility, but most try to reconfigure their existing space whenever possible.

There are additional perks to adding a full bath on your first floor, besides the convenience and increased home value. “Because this first floor full bath isn’t an ensuite, you can be more adventurous in the design,” Abby says. “Typically used as a guest bath, you can really let your personality shine with a fun floor tile or a showstopping wallpaper that can easily be changed out if your taste in style changes.”

Are you considering some upgrades for your home to make it work for you in the long run? Reach out to Abby to discuss your ideas and schedule a time to work through your options for creating a full bath on your first floor. In the meantime, our photo gallery has plenty of design ideas to get your creative juices flowing and we have plenty of tips and trends to share on Facebook and Instagram.

There’s nothing quite like the romantic look and feel of a deep soaker tub. So, when it comes to selecting a tub filler faucet that complements both the bathtub and the bathroom’s overall appeal, knowing your options is important.

You can choose fixtures that are floor mounted, wall mounted, or even tub mounted. Normandy Design Manager Leslie Molloy, CKBD gives suggestions for choosing which of the four tub filler options is best for you.

Deck Mounted

“The most common, cost-effective, and versatile tub filler is the deck mounted,” Leslie says.

This scenario is the one you’ve probably seen the most, as the tub sits in a cabinetry or tile surround, topped with tile or a countertop material, and the faucet is attached to surface of the deck. “In a deck mounted, there is more flexibility in the placement of the tub filler, as well as many options available from the vendors,” adds Leslie. The deck mounted tub filler looks beautiful positioned anywhere around the circumference of the bathtub.

Floor Mounted

“With the uptick in stand-alone bathtubs, we saw a growth in popularity of floor mounted tub fillers,” says Leslie. As their name suggests, these fillers are mounted directly to the floor and positioned where the spout extends over the tub far enough to easily fill the tub without splashing.

“Floor mounted tub fillers tend to be most costly with fewer options to choose from. Though, this is where you can get creative in selecting a very ornate tub filler, which can be a standout piece when paired with a bathtub with more simple lines,” notes Leslie.

Tub Mounted

Some freestanding bathtubs come designed with tub fillers that can be built into them. These tub mounted fillers are integrated into the edge of the bathtub, only exposing the spout and controls. “These are a great option when space is limited, and they’re most commonly available on acrylic bathtubs,” says Leslie.

Wall Mounted

“Depending on the layout of your bathroom, wall mounted tub fillers can be a stylish, space saving option for your bathroom,” Leslie says. “You can choose a decorative tile for the wall behind the bathtub and really make a statement.” But there are some caveats when considering a wall mounted fixture.

“For those of us who live in a cold climate like Chicago, where winter temps dip below freezing, be mindful of your planned placement,” cautions Leslie. “While there are ways to work around it, placing a wall mounted tub filler on an exterior wall can be risky, due to the possibility of freezing pipes.”

Choosing the right fixture for your bathtub is just one of the many options to explore when preparing to remodel. Set up a time to talk with a designer about your plans for your bathroom overhaul. In the meantime, garner inspiration from our recent designs on Instagram, Facebook, or in our photo gallery.