Have you always wanted a bathroom that’s beautiful, functional, and sustainable? With the right approach, you can get everything you ever wanted from your bathroom—and more! Here are some useful bathroom remodel ideas to help you incorporate eco-friendly products into the design.
- No bathtub: Filling the average bath uses 70 gallons of water, but a five-minute shower only requires 10 to 25 gallons. Ditch the tub so you’re not tempted to take energy-wasting soaks.
- Low-flow showerhead: Water-saving plumbing fixtures mix air into the water stream or force water through small openings to deliver a strong spray while consuming just 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) or less.
- Aerated, touchless faucet: Replace your leaky, worn-out bathroom faucet with a touchless model that automatically shuts off when you’re not using it. Even simply upgrading to a low-flow faucet that uses 1.2 gpm or less can save water without sacrificing performance.
- High-efficiency toilet: Today’s trusted HETs conserve water while reducing the risk of clogs. Look for a new toilet that consumes 1.3 gallons per flush (gpf) or less. If you opt for a dual-flush model, you’ll use a mere 0.8 gpf or less for liquid-only waste.
- Sustainable materials: Certain materials add a sleek, modern appearance to your bathroom while still promoting sustainability. These include:
- Eco-friendly countertops made of recycled glass, paper composite, or long-lasting quartz
- Sustainable cabinets made of bamboo or reclaimed wood
- Eco-friendly floors made of cork, recycled tile, locally sourced stone, or linoleum
- Bathroom backsplashes made of metal, porcelain, or recycled glass
- Radiant floor heating: This luxurious form of home heating warms the room from the ground up, so you never have to step onto cold bathroom tiles again. Radiant heating is also more efficient than traditional forced-air furnaces.
- Energy-efficient lights: The right low-wattage LED lighting can make your bathroom feel more luxurious, including vanity sconces, backlit mirrors, under-cabinet lighting, overhead can lights, and even impressive chandeliers. When possible, install windows and skylights to provide natural lighting.
- Low- or no-VOC options: Many traditional paints, finishes, adhesives, grout, caulk, and sealers contain harmful substances called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Have a strict no-VOC policy during your bathroom remodel to avoid the short- and long-term health effects of breathing toxic fumes.
- Adequate ventilation: The damp, enclosed nature of most bathrooms make them a prime breeding ground for mold and bacteria. You can run the bathroom vent to counteract this, but make sure the vent expels the air outside, not into the spaces between the walls and ceilings. You can also reduce energy use by installing a fan with a timer switch, motion sensor, or humidity gauge.
When you’re ready to design a luxurious yet efficient bathroom, turn to My Kitchen & Bath. We are Virginia’s bathroom remodeling experts, drawing on nearly 30 years of experience to ensure our customers’ complete satisfaction. Our team can personalize your project with the specific sustainable goals you have in mind. To begin your eco-friendly bathroom renovation, please call 703-520-7932 or contact us online for a free in-home estimate.
