So you’ve decided that it’s time to update your bathroom. Whether you’re planning to sell your home or you’ve simply decided your family needs a more updated space, there are a few important decisions you should make before you start.

First of all, consider what needs to go (no pun intended). Are you remodeling because all of the fixtures- tub, shower, toilet and sink- are outdated? Or is there a specific area of the bathroom that doesn’t work for you? Maybe the floor is outdated or peeling, or the mirrors are in inconvenient places, or you’d like to knock out a closet or install some shelving. Before you start, pin down the exact things about your bathroom that need work. Don’t immediately assume you need to overhaul the entire room. You may be able to save yourself big bucks by starting with the problem areas. If your bathroom seems too small, you might not need to tear out a wall. Maybe you just need a pedestal sink instead of a cabinet one.

If you’re more than ready to just tear the whole thing up and start from scratch, you’ll have to make some decisions about what’s going to replace the current fixtures. Take some measurements of your tub, sink and toilet, the replacements you’re considering, and the size of the room. Keep in mind that just because you want a claw foot bathtub doesn’t mean you should have one- your bathroom may be too small for anything but a tub that fits closely into the wall. Draw some diagrams, and move things around until they seem to fit. But keep in mind that the layout of a bathroom is fairly limited. The water pipes only come out of the walls in certain places, so unless you’re planning on tearing up the walls and the plumbing, your toilet and shower will probably stay where they are, even if you replace them with new ones.

Making decisions about what new items to buy should be the easy part. Look into purchasing a low-flow toilet. If you haven’t had a new toilet in awhile, you will be amazed at the savings on your water bill once a new, water-saving model is installed. This is also a huge plus to potential buyers, who will love the idea of saving on utilities each month.

Safety in the bathroom is also a consideration. Consider handles around the tub and a non-slip floor covering specifically designed for bathrooms. Many older bathrooms are lacking in safety features, and that’s a down side when it comes time to estimate a home’s value.

Remodeling your bathroom is going to be a job that requires some forethought. Whether you’re doing it to sell the home or for your family, it’s best to take space, safety, and convenience into consideration. You spend an awful lot of time going in and out of your bathroom. It might as well be comfortable!