Hello All, I am remodeling my kids bathroom after a major water leak so i gutted it to the studs and down to the slab. I am a single Dad with no clue 🙂 I was wanting to wainscot the walls tile the floor and surround does anyone see fault with this design also has anyone “PERGO’ed” a bathroom floor of course the salesman @ H.d sez its fine but what about real life? Also I have been thinking about a stereo for the bathroom. How much would a interior decorater cost if i fo all the work my self. I welcome all input and advice sincerly clueless in cali.
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I see no problem with wainscot on walls and tile on floors and around the tub. It could look very nice. Since you say you have no clue then it would be an involved DIY job. But, it's only a kids' bathroom, so if you really want to learn, now's the time. But, you need a knowledgeable person to guide you.
I've never used laminiate on a bathroom floor. Even though they say it's rated, I'd be suspicious in a kids' bathroom. There's just way too much water. I would consider it for maybe a half bath for guests.
Interior designers' rates vary, but it wouldn't surprise me to see $100 per hour. You have to balance your skills and abilities vs. your money to decide if it's money well spent.
If money is on the tight side, you could give a contractor a magazine photo of what you want and skip the designer. You will have to choose the colors, tiles, etc.
my flooring supplier says the only reason he sells Pergo is because of advertising and people asking for it. He thinks it is a flash in the pan. I don't know how you are going to keep water from the cracks and underneath is just dense particleboard
I also looked extensively into finishing (and flooring in particular) for bathrooms. From what I can gather, yes, you can put laminates in the bathroom but it isn't recommended. If you do, however, consider some type of more water-resistant material around the tub (e.g. tile or vinyl). Pretty obvious the point being this is where people stepping out dripping wet or water splashed overboard is going to end up. Although I've settled on vinyl for the 1st round in my two bthrms I'm doing in such a way that I can relatively easily replace it later with tile which I'm confident is really a much more suitable surface (kinda like wood and soil don't play particularly well together wood, and derivative products, and water aren't bound for a long-term relationship).
There are some woods that I think would go very well on a bathroom floor - teak and ipe come to mind.
This is a very big project for someone who is "clueless". If you want it done well enough to outlast your kids, get some help. Better yet, help someone who knows what they're doing and learn by watching.
Laminate floor in a kid's bathroom is not a good idea. The first time they leave a wet towel in a heap behind the door for two days you will get a bubble at the seam in the laminate, and there is no way to fix it. When the caulking seal along the bottom of the tub or the toilet fails (which they always do at some point) and the kids splash as kids do, the same thing will happen. Vinyl is your best bet - easy to install, cost effective, water proof and there are many attractive options. You can always replace it with fancy tile later.
Paneling in a kids' bathroom will be prone to water damage too. You would have to caulk every seam and caulk along the bottom edge of the paneling and the baseboard, prime well, and paint with mildew resistant paint. I have 3 boys - I'd never put wood on the walls of their bathroom.
Tile surround would be great, but it's not a project for a novice - especially a single dad who wants the bathroom finished in this decade. Hire a tilesetter. Or opt for a solid surface surround (cultured marble, Silestone, etc.) or use an acrylic surround. When the kids grow up you can always put in something more fancy.
Make storage easy to use, leave room for a hamper, and put up plenty of towel bars. Add a stepstool so little ones can get to the sink and mirror, and so you'll have somewhere to sit right next to the tub to keep little ones above water level. Last thing for a kid's bathroom - get the best exhaust fan you can afford and teach the kids to use it whenever they use the shower.
Good luck!
"A completed home is a listed home."
Lisa, thanks for the sound advice I was a little mileading in my orginal post I am cluless on the interior design of it all. If left up to my taste it would look like the red soxs dugout with a beer tap and a recliner :) I have definetly abandoned the "pergo" plan and am now shopping for some vinyl. I will post pictures when there is progress worth showing. BoB G wishing you all a verrry merry christmas and a happy new year. shure do miss new england this time of year stationed in cali (NAVY) AND THEY JUST DONT GET IT!