Bathroom renovation ideas/warnings

[cos]

I'm having the bathroom in my house redone soon.

One thing I worry about is the possibility of failing to specify or ask for things I may have always taken for granted, so they don't occur to me. I know what I'd like to gain, but I may not be aware of all the things I don't want to lose.

Like ten years ago when I got a car that didn't have map pockets on the backs of the seats, which I'd always depended on - I liked being able to store a few large atlases and laminated maps behind the passenger seat, and be able to easily reach for them when stopped at a light. It simply hadn't occurred to me that some cars may not have those. Or when I got some house windows replaced, and ended up with windows that don't have metal bars or little tabs near the bottom such that you can push them up from below to open. I'd simply taken for granted the ability to open a window next to my bed a crack while lying down, and it had never occurred to me that anyone might make a window you have to be standing up to open, so it wasn't something I asked about or looked for. I saw the windows before I agreed to have them, and just didn't notice that critical detail.

So, what am I not noticing about bathrooms? Any ideas?

Comments

[mzrowan.livejournal.com]

A power outlet near the sink and the light switch inside the bathroom (instead of in the hall outside). And this doesn't count as a critical detail, but possibly radiant heat under the tiles.

[mzrowan.livejournal.com]

Oh, and a fan that actually vents to the outside rather than just circulating the air through a filter.

[cos]

I've got the light switch inside now, but you can't live in New England and not be aware of the prevalence of outside-the-bathroom light switches :) That would be just the sort of thing I'm asking about, for someone moving here from somewhere else where they just don't do that.

Heat under the tiles is something I'll likely get, but you're right, it's not a "I might not notice it because I took it for granted" kind of thing.

Good ventilation is something I trust this designer to get right, but I don't know enough to have opinions on the details. I just told him I prioritize low maintenance (so, as little grouting as possible, and effective ventilation, among other things, really matter).

[dphilli1.livejournal.com]

we had to put an outside switch in when we renovated the 2nd floor -- it was the only place that the combination of code, door swing, and shower doors permitted it to be.