7 Golden Rules of Bath Remodeling

2. Use What You Have

Make the most of existing space.

If a bath feels cramped, it may be necessary to strip the space down to the studs and reconfigure the room. "The biggest mistake people make when starting a remodeling project is to get bogged down with filling a new space with too many useless things," says Birmingham architect Bill Ingram.

Less-permanent elements, such as fixtures, interior walls, and cabinetry, are candidates for refinement. But plumbing stacks and drains are not so easily modified. Take a critical look at the layout, weigh the options, and plan accordingly.