How to Remodel a Half Bathroom

Add new towel racks in a remodel.

Remodeling a half bathroom is easier than doing a full one, because it typically features only a toilet and sink. The bathroom is an important room of the house, and when you sell your home many buyers will take into account the state and layout of the bathrooms. Remodeling a half bathroom is one home improvement that can be done in a weekend, and will also improve the look of the home.

Things You'll Need

• Utility knife
• Adhesive glue remover
• Pry bar
• Hammer
• Concrete patching compound
• Trowel
• Flooring material
• Thinset
• Adhesive
• Notched trowel
• Spacers
• Grout
• Paint
• Lighting
• Hardware (knobs, towel racks)

Instructions

1. Disconnect the toilet and remove it from the room so you can replace flooring. Place rags over the top of the hole to prevent fumes from filling the bathroom.

2. Slice the linoleum to pull it up and away from the flooring. Complete the whole room, and scrape away any glue residue or use an adhesive glue remover to scrape away stubborn areas. Pull up tile flooring for replacement with a pry bar. Place the straightedge of the pry bar in a grout line, and tap at it with a hammer to get underneath the tile to pull up.

3. Patch any cracks in the concrete subflooring with concrete patching compound, and smooth over cracks with a trowel and allow to dry thoroughly.

4. Place your desired flooring material on the subfloor. If you want to add new linoleum, affix it to the floor with fresh adhesive glue or add new tile by spreading thinset to the floor with a notched trowel, and laying the tile in the desired pattern. Use spacers to keep grout lines even and apply a thin layer of grout over the tiles.

5. Paint the walls with a new color. For smaller half bathrooms, stick to neutral or light-colored paints to keep the room looking open and spacious. Patch any cracks with spackle, and the smooth out with sandpaper. Cover the existing walls with a water-based primer, and then use semi-gloss or satin finish paint since there is no real danger of mildew because of a lack of tub or shower.

6. Switch out an outdated light fixture with a new one. Choose a fixture that complements the style of the room for a cohesive look. Turn off the power before attempting to change the fixture.

7. Add new hardware to the room. Install a hand-towel rack, new toilet dispenser and faucet. Improve the look of a vanity by changing out the knobs or handles instead of replacing the cabinet.

8. Finish the remodel by adding accessories to the bathroom such as wall art, soap dispenser or candles.

References

• Gomestic: How to Tile a Floor and Remodel a Half-bath Read more: http://gomestic.com/home-improvement/how-to-tile-a-floor-and-remodel-a-half-bath/#ixzz0oCmYdlfT
• This Old House: The Complete Half Bath