Like many people, I consider my bathroom to be one of the most important rooms in my house. There are few things I enjoy more than spending an hour soaking away in a bubble bath, and I also like to have a bright, inviting, well-organized bathroom for when I’m getting ready to leave the house.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things about bathroom remodeling. If you’re considering doing some remodeling of your own in the future, here are my best tips:

Have a solid plan in place

Working with an architect or designer can often seem like a pricey move if you’re hoping to remodel your bathroom on a budget, but if you make the most of the opportunity, it will be money well spent.

Once you have a plan that you’ve worked out with a professional, you’ll know that your budget, timeline, and design is realistic. It also gives you a goal that you can keep in mind, along with a path to ensure you get there. The upfront cost of a designer will save you both money and time in the long run, and prevent you from making expensive errors along the way.

Work around your plumbing

This is a lesson that I’ve learned well, and it’s another reason why it’s good to work with a designer as they can take this into account. Using the existing pipes in your bathroom will save you thousands of dollars. While it may seem like a good idea to relocate your bathtub or toilet, you can expect it to cost almost $5000 each time. Yikes.

Upgrade your vanity

Need more bathroom storage? Or just want to step into the future? Bathroom vanities are one of the first things you notice when you walk into a bathroom, so upgrading to a new modern bathroom vanityis a good option. If you have room, a double sink vanity is modern, luxurious, and a great way to save time in the morning.

Go for open shelves

If you have a smaller bathroom, open shelving can make it look like you have much more space than you do. It’s also much cheaper than stuffing all your bathroom items into freestanding cabinets. Stack up pretty washes, soaps, and towels on a refurbished ladder, or take the doors off of an old cabinet and give it a paint to stay within your budget.

Consider your lights

There’s a good reason why lighting is one of the first things most people think about when they’re remodeling their bathroom. By adding lots of light, you can make your bathroom look bigger, brighter, more welcoming, and much more modern. Check out the sales at home improvement and lighting stores, or go big with a skylight if your bathroom has roof access. Believe me, adding a few lights around your mirror will do wonders for your makeup application in the morning!