Bathroom from the studio suite at 1 Hotel Toronto in Canada. Image Credit Brandon Barré
Are you planning a bathroom renovation anytime soon? For many people, a bathroom is one of the most important rooms in a house. It’s a space you will use to get ready in the morning and to prepare before bed at night. It is a space to clean yourself and do self-care rituals. Your bathroom can also be a sanctuary if designed right, where you can go to take time out of your busy schedule and relax and rejuvenate. It is undoubtedly a very important room in the home.
When you are moving into a new property, or if you are thinking about upgrading your current property, the bathroom may be at the top of your priority list. Whether you are actively planning on making changes to your bathroom or simply trying to get some inspiration on changes you could make in the future, we have written our guide on considerations when undertaking a bathroom renovation project.
These are some things you want to keep in mind before starting your bathroom renovation.
- How much you want to spend
- The style of bathroom you’re going for
- If you want to upgrade everything
- What you will do while your bathroom is being upgraded
- If you will fit it yourself or get someone in to do it for you
- If you want to change the overall layout of your bathroom or keep it the same but with a new toilet, bath, sink etc.
- The colour scheme you are going to go for
What You Need to Think About When Doing a Bathroom Renovation
Choose the Right Flooring for Your Bathroom Renovation
Tiles by Maitland & Poate
The flooring of your bathroom is one of the main components and can really help to tie the room together. You want flooring that will be practical so it can withstand the water and wear and tear that a bathroom goes through, as well as one that fits the aesthetic you’re looking for.
You want to steer clear of carpets in the bathroom, and think hard before deciding on wood. Wood will look nice but can warp over time. Lino is a cheaper option if budget is an issue, and tile is a great choice if you are looking for a solution that pairs aesthetics and quality.
Whatever you decide to go for, make you get flooring samples first so you can see what it will look like and how well it will work with the rest of your bathroom.
Choosing a Bathroom Mirror That Meets Your Needs
Covert 800 Bathroom Mirror from R2 Bathrooms
This one can sometimes be a bit of an afterthought, but your bathroom mirror is a really important addition to the room and one that can completely change the way it feels and the way you use the space. The most popular place for the mirror is above the sink due to that being where you get ready, wash your hands and brush your teeth, so you need to look at the space you have here.
If you have a unit with a sink built-in, chances are you’ll have more space above for a larger mirror. If you have a standalone sink, you might want something smaller that isn’t so imposing. Decide if you want a mirror with storage built in, or if you want to add a shelf or something underneath it.
Do you want a statement mirror, or something simple? You’ll also want to think about if you want one with added features. Some come with things such as built-in lights, speakers so you can play music through Bluetooth and anti-fog sensors so they don’t get misted with the humidity. The price of a mirror can also vary from cheap to quite pricey so budget is something you’ll want to bear in mind.
Choosing the Right Bath for Your Bathroom Renovation
Happy d.2 Plus bathtub from Duravit
One of the most important things when doing a bathroom renovation is choosing the right bath. You want one that is beautiful, practical and fits in with the overall design feel of the space. There are many to choose from depending on your needs and the size of the room, so don’t rush your decision.
It can sound silly, but when shopping for a bath, don’t be afraid to climb in and see how it feels. This gives you a better idea of the length and depth and how it will work for what you want. You might want a free-standing bath that looks beautiful and has more of a vintage aesthetic, or you could want a corner tub, or maybe a jacuzzi bath.
These are all things to consider and think about how it might look in your bathroom. You’ll also need to choose the colour of the taps, where you want the taps to be and if you want the bath to have a shower over the top, or a separate shower. If you go for a separate shower, don’t forget to think about your shower enclosure to stop the water going everywhere, while also keeping the aesthetics of the space.
Choosing Your Lighting Scheme
Bathroom Lighting Scheme by John Cullen Lighting
Lighting plays a huge role in the overall finish of a bathroom, just as it does in all the rooms in your home. Done correctly it can make a space look bigger, brighter and more natural as well as more intimate. Considerations for your bathroom lighting mostly involve the type of lights that you are going to have. Do you want a mirror light? Ceiling lights? Track lights? Shower lights? Spotlights? Or wall lights? The best thing to do is ask your bathroom designer to give you a breakdown of all the lighting options and their benefits. A major factor in what you go for may also be the cost of the different lighting options. Bathroom lighting will also need to meet regulations.
Choosing Your Tiling for Your Bathroom Renovation
Image Credit: Ariel Bath
As well as choosing what you have on the floor, you need to think about what you want on the walls. Do you want the whole bathroom to be tiled with? One wall? Or just the sections that need it, such as above the sink and bath. Do you want your tiles to be large or small, and do you want them to match the ones on the floor or be completely different? Are you going to cut costs with cheaper tiles or will you splurge on luxury tiles? These are all questions you’re going to want to ask yourself to make sure you come up with the right decision.
Choose Your Storage Options
ORTHEX SmartStore Compact Clear Storage from HomeBase
You can spend a lot of time making your bathroom look fantastic, but whilst you are doing this, try not to forget about the practical side of a bathroom and that’s the storage of bathroom items. Where are you going to put your toothbrush, your shaving items, shampoos and conditioners, perfumes and deodorants, toilet rolls, towels etc? Choose smart ways to add storage in the bathroom such as a cupboard behind your mirror, under basin drawers, a towel rack and hooks to hang things on. Shelves above windows and doors are good too.
Choose the Little Touches
Image credit: Dobbies
A lot of upgrading your bathroom is choosing the big ticket items, such as a new bath, a new sink, the lighting options, and flooring – essentially a lot of what we have mentioned above. However, alongside these big choices, you want to consider the little touches that will add your personality to the room.
Items such as plants add colour to the room and break up any white spaces. Candles or reed diffusers add a luxury feel to your bathroom as well as a nice smell, whilst pictures or art, show off some of your interests.
A bathroom renovation is exciting and once complete, something you can be proud of and enjoy for many years to come. Unfortunately, as with any change to your home, upgrading can be stressful and any big changes create a lot of mess.
What changes are you planning on making to your bathroom and why are you going to make these changes? Which of the above tips in our guide did you find most useful? Is there anything in the guide on considerations when upgrading your bathroom that you think I have missed?