A bathroom makeover is one of the most thrilling projects a homeowner can undertake. Yet as with any remodel, there’s a lot of planning and details to work out before bringing those visions to life. For interior designer Anita Yokota, having a small bathroom doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style and function. She transformed an ensuite bathroom in her Southern California home into a sun-lit, desert respite using VELUX Solar Powered “Fresh Air” Skylights.
Here are a few considerations to keep in mind as you begin planning your bathroom makeover:
Identify your small bathroom design goals
Before the transformation, consider your goals for the project, including style, theme and color palette. For Yokota, having three growing girls sharing one bathroom created a pressing need to give her daughters more wiggle room. The designer knew she wanted to make the most of the space by blending comfort and style.
See how the bathroom looked before the renovation below.
Color plays a key role in the overall feel of any room. Inspired by her family’s trip to Arizona, the designer settled on a desert theme with a monochromatic color scheme. Warm colors like brown and bronze make the space feel cozy, while the mix of tile shapes complements the natural aesthetic.
Use natural lighting to make your small bathroom feel open
With a few intentional design practices, even the smallest bathroom can boast an upgrade. To optimize the size of your bathroom, incorporate natural lighting to make the small space feel open. A VELUX No Leak Solar Powered "Fresh Air" Skylight makes this humble space brighter without sacrificing that privacy that a traditional window may. It allowed Yokota to make the bathroom feel welcoming, and the light serves as a gentle mood booster whenever her girls step inside.
How much did it cost to install the bathroom skylight?
Yokota took this small bathroom's ceiling to new heights by having a skylight installed. The installer performed both the exterior work - installing the skylight on the roof - and the interior work - building the light shaft of drywall between the skylight and ceiling, as well as finishing the drywall, so it was ready for painting. Here are the costs broken down by product and labor.
- Product costs - One VELUX 2234 curb mounted skylight (22 1/2 inches wide by 34 1/2 inches tall) with solar powered light filtering shades and a flashing kit - $1,778
- Installation labor and materials - Includes labor, drywall, lumber and drywall finishing materials - $3,675
Skylight installation costs vary by location, ceiling type (vaulted or flat) and roof pitch. Contact a VELUX-certified installer to get an estimate to add skylights to your home.
Using automated skylights for natural ventilation in your bathroom
Remodels are often a mix of excitement and stress, but when all is said and done, the final results are worth it. One of the best features of the skylight Yokota uses is that it opens with a remote control or smartphone app, allowing fresh air to circulate. It also allowed Yokota to get rid of her bathroom’s noisy fan and swap it for natural ventilation.
When you’re finished with a warm shower, there’s nothing like a cool breeze and fresh air to freshen up the bathroom. Even when rain sets in, you don’t have to worry, because this skylight has an integrated rain sensor that automatically closes the skylight at the first sign of rainy weather.
Adding a skylight to your bathroom is a great way to eliminate moisture and control odors instead of relying on bathroom fans. Check out some of our top picks for bathroom skylights.
And you’ll have total environmental control with the VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO smartphone app, which monitors an online weather station and compares the forecast with readings from an inside sensor that measures temperature, humidity and CO2 levels. When the forecast calls for high temperatures, the system automatically extends the shades to prevent heat buildup. If it gets too humid inside, it opens the skylight for fresh airflow. Or with just a single touch, you can choose to open or close the skylight, or rise and drop the built-in shades.
If you need more inspiration, download our bathroom design guide; or if you’re ready to add skylights to your bathroom makeover plans, find a skylight installer in your area.
