Episode Summary

This week on Home In Progress, Dan dedicates the whole show to bathroom remodels -- why they're trending, and how to think one through before spending anything. He covers the tub-or-shower decision, storage planning, lighting that stops working against you, upgrades worth baking in while walls are open, aging-in-place choices, and a full closing section on painting the bathroom right. A practical episode worth saving if a bathroom is anywhere on your horizon.

In This Episode

• [00:00] -- Bathrooms Are Trending
• [02:15] -- Start With What Bugs You
• [05:04] -- Tubs or Showers First
• [07:45] -- Freestanding Tub Reality Check
• [10:43] -- Tub to Shower Conversion
• [13:41] -- Storage That Fits Life
• [16:15] -- Smart Storage Ideas
• [18:31] -- Bathroom Lighting Problems
• [19:25] -- Why Mirrors Make You Cringe
• [20:22] -- Fixing Harsh Shadows
• [21:43] -- Layered Lighting Basics
• [22:14] -- Mirror Task Lighting
• [23:56] -- Sconce Placement Tips
• [24:54] -- Shower and Night Lighting
• [26:02] -- Bulb Temperature Consistency
• [28:00] -- Remodel Upgrades to Add
• [30:44] -- Aging in Place Choices
• [33:52] -- Bathroom Paint Essentials
• [37:02] -- Paint Cure and Humidity
• [39:10] -- Prep and Tight Spaces
• [41:19] -- Ceilings and Caulk
• [43:05] -- Wrap Up and Store Deals

Bathrooms Are Trending [00:00]

Bathroom remodels aren't overtaking kitchens -- kitchens are still the most popular project -- but bathrooms are closing the gap. They're smaller, usually less expensive, and more manageable. And the daily impact is bigger than most people give them credit for. If a kitchen remodel feels out of reach right now, a bathroom is worth serious consideration.

Start With What Bugs You [02:15]

Before looking at tile or faucets, walk through the bathroom you have and write down everything that bothers you. Not what you'd love to have -- what actually annoys you about the space right now. A lot of renovations look great but feel disappointing because they didn't solve the actual problems. New finishes don't fix a bad morning. Start with what the bathroom needs to fix, then work forward from there.

Tubs or Showers First [05:04]

The shower or tub is the biggest decision in any bathroom remodel and where serious money gets spent. Dan breaks it into two parts: what fits your life better (some people love a bath; others haven't taken one voluntarily in years), and what fits your existing bathroom layout. Getting swept up in a vision without looking honestly at the space is where projects get expensive.

Freestanding Tub Reality Check [07:45]

A freestanding soaking tub is a popular idea that can get complicated fast. Most existing bathrooms have an alcove setup -- tub against three walls, drain in place, plumbing at one end. Switching to a freestanding tub means relocating the drain, addressing the floor and walls after the old surround comes out, and making sure there's enough clearance around the tub for it to look intentional.

The alternative worth knowing about: deeper alcove tubs, drop-in tubs, or soaking tubs designed to fit a traditional footprint. These can deliver the soaking experience without requiring a full redesign. Even replacing an older alcove tub with a newer one in the same footprint can be a meaningful gain.

Tub to Shower Conversion [10:43]

If baths aren't your thing, converting a tub surround to a walk-in shower is often a practical fit for what most bathrooms already have. Plumbing can often stay in roughly the same location, the footprint works, and the project tends to line up more naturally with the existing space than a freestanding tub would.

One thing to stop and think about first: is this the only tub in the house? Families with young kids need one. Pet owners often do too. Future buyers may care. That doesn't mean you keep it -- just means the decision should be deliberate.

Storage That Fits Life [13:41]

Storage isn't the exciting part of a remodel, but it may be the biggest factor in whether a renovated bathroom still feels good two weeks after the job is done. Before choosing a vanity, go back to your list of annoyances and ask honestly whether storage is on it -- and whether it should be.

The practical question isn't what vanity looks good. It's what the vanity needs to do. Drawers let you see what you have; deep cabinets swallow things. A vanity drawer with a built-in outlet keeps hair tools off the counter. Storage that matches how you actually live beats storage that just looks organized in the showroom.

Smart Storage Ideas [16:15]

If the footprint isn't changing, there are usually more options than it feels like. Going vertical -- tall cabinets, shelving from counter to ceiling, built-in storage above the toilet -- can add meaningful capacity without touching the floor plan. Recessed medicine cabinets don't have to look like the metal box from 1978; modern versions are framed, mirror-faced, and look like part of the room. And awkward spots -- a dead corner, a gap beside the vanity -- are worth a second look.

Better storage organization inside existing space also counts: drawer organizers, pull-outs, a bottom drawer for towels or toilet paper. Build the answer in. Don't assume things will find a home after the remodel if they haven't found one yet.

Bathroom Lighting [18:31]

Bathroom lighting is often bad in ways people don't fully notice. One harsh overhead fixture, or a row of bulbs above the mirror, creates shadows on the face -- under the eyes, under the nose, under the chin -- that make people look older and more tired than they are. If you walk into your bathroom every morning and immediately want to look somewhere else, the lighting may be a bigger factor than you think.

Why mirrors make you cringe [19:25] -- Most bathroom lighting is designed to illuminate the room, not the person at the mirror. A ceiling fixture in the middle of the room does the former. It doesn't do the latter well.

Fixing harsh shadows [20:22] -- Light from both sides of the mirror is significantly better than light from above. Sconces on either side spread light evenly across the face, cut shadows, and make grooming more accurate. If side lighting isn't possible, a long horizontal fixture above the mirror is better than a single small bulb.

Layered lighting [21:43] -- Good bathroom lighting usually comes from more than one source. General light -- ceiling fixture, recessed lights, or both -- makes the room usable. Task lighting at the mirror is where the real work gets done. One fixture can't do both jobs well.

Mirror task lighting [22:14] -- The goal is light on your face, from roughly face level. That's what reduces shadows. A fixture above the mirror alone usually can't deliver that.

Sconce placement [23:56] -- Height matters. Too low creates the campfire-flashlight effect. Too high brings the shadows back. Aim for face-level illumination, and let the person who needs the most help from the lighting make the call on placement.

Shower and night lighting [24:54] -- A shower with walls that block the main room's light probably needs its own fixture. A dark shower feels less clean and less comfortable than it should. Night lighting is the thing people forget: a dimmer, toe-kick lighting, or a softer secondary source lets you use the bathroom at odd hours without switching on every bulb in the room.

Bulb temperature consistency [26:02] -- Cool bulbs feel sterile; warm bulbs can make whites and skin tones look strange. A warm neutral bulb is a solid starting point for most bathrooms. More important than the specific temperature is keeping it consistent across all fixtures. Mismatched bulb temperatures can make the room feel off in a way that's hard to identify -- paint reads differently in different spots, tile can shift color. Sort out lighting before finalizing paint colors or any other choices sensitive to light.

Remodel Upgrades to Add [28:00]

When a bathroom is torn apart, some things are much easier to add than they'll ever be again. Worth at least pricing out:

• Heated floors -- bathroom square footage is small, and if the old floor is already coming up, now is the time to ask
• Ventilation -- a weak or struggling fan should be replaced now, not after it causes moisture damage to a freshly renovated room
• Outlet placement -- if outlets are always in the wrong spot, fix it while walls are open
• Shower niche -- easier to build in now than to add later
• Shower lighting -- while the walls are accessible
• Blocking for grab bars -- you may not want them now, but blocking costs almost nothing during a remodel and makes installation easy whenever you do

Aging in Place Choices [30:44]

If you plan to be in the home long-term, a remodel is a good moment to make choices that work better as you age. This doesn't have to look like a care facility. Options have improved considerably. A curbless shower can look modern. A wider shower entry feels more open. A shower bench can feel spa-like. A handheld shower is useful for almost everyone. Slip-resistant tile is smart at any age. Comfort-height toilets are common. Grab bars don't have to look institutional -- attractive options exist that look intentional in the room. And if you don't want grab bars now, add the blocking to the walls. Much easier to plan for during the remodel.

Bathroom Paint Essentials [33:52]

Even without a full remodel, a fresh paint job can change how a bathroom feels. But painting a bathroom has a few considerations that a bedroom or living room doesn't.

Paint choice. The standard answer has long been a satin or semi-gloss for moisture resistance. That's still not wrong. But Benjamin Moore Aura Bath and Spa is worth knowing about -- it's a matte finish engineered specifically for high-humidity rooms. You get moisture resistance without the reflective surface that broadcasts every patch and roller mark. For walls, especially when you want a more elegant, finished look, it's a strong option. Satin and higher sheens still make sense in kids' bathrooms, rentals, or spaces that get wiped down constantly. For trim, doors, and cabinets, Dan still likes a satin or semi-gloss.

Paint Cure and Humidity [37:02]

One of the most common bathroom painting mistakes: putting the room back into full use too quickly. Fresh latex paint hit with high humidity too soon can produce surfactant leaching -- shiny streaks, sticky spots, or brownish marks on the walls. It looks alarming, but it's not damaging the finish. It can be wiped off. It's also completely avoidable.

Give the paint time. Keep showers short for the first few days. Run the fan during and for at least 20 minutes after. Open the door as soon as possible. Use another bathroom if you have one.

Prep and Tight Spaces [39:10]

Bathroom walls collect soap film and hairspray that prevent paint from bonding. Wash down with TSP or a mild Dawn solution, rinse with clean water, and let everything dry completely before painting.

Clear the room more than feels necessary. In a small space, every obstacle is a real obstacle. Take down towel bars, hardware, switch plates, outlet covers, hooks, shelves. Tape the mirror carefully if it can't come down.

Behind the toilet: you usually don't need to remove it. Take the tank lid off for extra room, then use a small brush or mini roller to get behind the tank. If there's a sliver behind the tank that nothing can reach, leave it. Nobody sees it.

For tight areas around faucets and the vanity, an angled brush helps, and a short-handled brush is worth keeping on hand -- you won't constantly be knocking the handle into the opposite wall. RepcoLite stores carry them.

Ceilings and Caulk [41:19]

Ceilings. The ceiling over a shower takes more abuse than almost any other surface in the house. If there's peeling paint, scrape it, sand the edges, and prime before repainting. If there's mildew, address it before painting. Don't use a cheap flat ceiling paint over a shower. Ask at RepcoLite for the right product for the situation.

Caulk. Bathrooms have a lot of caulk, and not all of it is paintable. Painting over cracked, dirty, or silicone caulk can cause peeling, fisheyes, or areas where paint won't stick. Inspect all the caulk before you start. Replace anything that's cracked or moldy. If caulk will be painted over, use a paintable formula -- pure silicone is excellent in wet areas, but paint won't adhere to it.

Wrap Up and Store Deals [43:05]

Questions about a bathroom repaint or any paint project? Stop in at your closest RepcoLite location. 80 years in the business -- they know paint.

Current store deals:

• RepcoLite Endura Exterior -- on sale at all RepcoLite stores through the end of June. Up to $38 off per gallon. Ask in store.
• Handy Paint Pails -- cut-in buckets, on sale now. More on these next week.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Benjamin Moore Aura Bath and Spa -- Matte finish for high-humidity rooms; available at RepcoLite
• TSP -- For washing bathroom walls before painting
• Short-handled brushes -- For tight bathroom spaces; available at RepcoLite stores
• RepcoLite Endura Exterior -- On sale through end of June, up to $38 off per gallon
• Handy Paint Pails -- Cut-in buckets, on sale now at RepcoLite stores

Find the Show

Home In Progress is on the air every weekend and available anytime at repcolite.com -- click the On the Radio tab on the homepage. Dan also posts episode content on Facebook and Instagram throughout the week.

About Our Sponsor

Home In Progress is brought to you by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore. People often think of paint as just another line item on the supply list. But everything you do, every hour of prep, every stroke of the brush, comes down to the quality of what goes on the wall. The paint is the project. Make sure it's the best.