Don't Go Crazy With Your Craftsman Style Bathroom Renovation

If you are lucky to live in a Craftsman style home, you need to know about the special flavor of your home. Of course, you are legally entitled to redecorate or remodel it in any way you want, but that would be like putting MC Hammer pants on Michelangelo's David. Yes, that has a certain amount of humor to it, but it is still an unwritten crime against future generations. So, when you decide on a Craftsman Style bathroom renovation, don't get crazy ideas. Here, originality doesn't count.

Mimic With The Least Change

Although you might plan on living in your home the rest of your life, the odds are you will have to sell the home. A Craftsman style home has a much higher market value if the entire house sticks to the original Craftsman designs of low sloping roofs, all natural materials and lots of timber, glass or rock.

When you consider a Craftsman style bathroom renovation, you are going to have to mimic the original design as best you can. Although you might not have the original blueprints or photos of how the original bathroom looked like (some Craftsman style homes were built as early as 1905), you can see photos of other Craftsman style bathroom renovations in books or on the web. Perhaps one of your prospective contractors has experience with Craftsman style bathroom renovations and can help guide your remodeling decisions.

The Natural Look

Original Craftsman style homes, and later houses modeled on the style, are noted for their building materials - almost all of it is natural. Natural materials, unfortunately, can be quite expensive. However, there are synthetic or composite materials that look like natural materials like rock or wood. These synthetic materials are also strong, long lasting and often fire resistant.

It is the look that is most important in a Craftsman style bathroom renovation (well, functioning plumbing is actually most important, but the look finishes a nose behind). The look is a comforting and warm slice out of the past which people pay plenty for. Even if the materials aren't genuine, if they look genuine, than a potential buyer is going to be very pleased.

Take your time with your plans and gathering estimates, especially if you need a loan to finance the renovation. According to your local tax laws, you may be entitled to a substantial refund or rebate from your Craftsman style bathroom renovation.