Whether your bathroom space is in need of extensive repairs or you’re just ready for something new, renovating your bathroom should be an exciting, enjoyable process.
However, without the proper planning and help, these projects can often leave you with more stress than satisfaction. After reading this blog, you’ll know what the 6 most common bathroom renovation mistakes are, and how we can help you avoid them at all costs.
1. Failing to Commit to a Style
One of the great things about deciding to remodel an aspect of your home is the opportunity to start from scratch. However, as fun as this element initially seems, many homeowners soon find themselves feeling stressed and overwhelmed with all of the options available to them.
When it comes to bathroom styles, there are numerous routes you can take. From coastal and minimalist to glamorous and bold, it can be easy to end up with a space that’s not cohesive. Mixing too many contrasting styles can make any room feel cluttered and unorganized, and it can ruin your home’s overall design flow.
How to fix it:
Fortunately, this bathroom design mistake can be entirely avoided. We recommend doing some research before you begin planning your bathroom remodel. Knowing your interior design style will help you decide which theme best suits your home.
Try creating an inspirational lookbook or a mood board to organize your style ideas in one place. Start by choosing a central element, such as a color scheme, which will determine the aesthetic of your bathroom space.
From here, you can pick different, smaller elements that will work to complement your central idea. This process will ensure you have a clear picture and cohesive theme before renovating.
2. Overlooking Sufficient Storage Space
It’s easy to focus on the look and aesthetics of your bathroom space, but it’s just as important to remember the space you’re creating should be as functional as it is visually appealing.
Homeowners can run into bathroom renovation mistakes when they overlook their storage needs. Doing this will most likely leave them with littered countertops and messy drawers, resulting in a space that lacks harmony and flow.
Remember that you use your bathrooms on a daily basis, which means the layout and storage space should be practical and well thought out.
How to fix it:
Often, people think creating storage space means bulky cabinets and unappealing racks. The good news is that this is a big misconception. There are many ways you can design storage space that still fits with your budget and bathroom theme.
One way to do this is to install open shelves which you can use to store more attractive toiletries, accessories, and clean towels. You can even add other elements like plants, candles, and decorative accents which will compliment your theme and make your storage area look like it’s part of your overall design.
We recommend storing your other, less attractive bathroom necessities in closed cabinets, drawers, or containers. Consider installing a mirror cabinet recessed into the wall, vanities with drawers, recessed wall cabinets, or even a shower niche.
All of these options will give you the opportunity to generate more space while still maintaining a clean and attractive look.
3. Choosing Unsuitable Materials and Fittings
Renovating your bathroom can be costly, but there are a variety of ways you can save money and stick to your budget plan. However, it’s imperative that homeowners understand where and when they should try and cut costs.
One of the most common bathroom renovation mistakes a person can make is choosing unsuitable (or cheaper) materials and fittings for their bathroom space. The quality of your bathroom materials and fittings, ranging from damaged hardware to porous surfaces, can make or break the look and feel of your space.
Certain materials may cost less upfront, but will require more maintenance and may end up costing you more in the long run. Choosing high-quality materials and finishes can transform your bathroom’s design and look, as well as make your everyday cleaning routine much easier.
How to fix it:
We recommend doing some research on common bathroom materials, finishes, and fittings. This will give you the background information you need to make decisions.
For example, if you’re looking to avoid bathroom tile mistakes, learn about the types of tiles that are unaffected by moisture. Using porcelain, ceramic, and glass tiles are visually appealing, easy to maintain, and durable.
If you’re wondering what the best faucet type and material are for your bathroom, think about your lifestyle and bathroom design. If you want something that lasts, consider using brass since it’s aesthetically pleasing and the most durable.
A good rule of thumb is to always choose fittings with the highest finish quality and can withstand moisture. These will be less likely to become broken or damaged and will add considerable value to your home.
Another great way to ensure you’re choosing the best bathroom materials is to simply ask a professional for help or advice. Design experts will know which materials are best suited for your space, and they can make sure they fit your interior design style as well.
4. Not Installing Enough (or too much) Lighting
Another important, and often overlooked, element of your remodel is the bathroom lighting. As we said before, you want a space that you enjoy but is also practical. Not installing enough lighting in your bathroom can make it hard to go about your daily tasks such as shaving, skincare routines, applying makeup, and styling your hair.
On the other hand, installing too much lighting can create a harsh environment rather than a soothing and relaxing space. Finding the balance between these two extremes can be difficult but it’s not impossible.
How to fix it:
To avoid this bathroom remodeling mistake, we recommend learning how to implement a layered lighting design as opposed to settling for basic overhead lighting above your sink, shower, or toilet. Doing this helps to keep the room from being too bright or too dull in certain areas.
Using a variety of light sources, such as ambient, task, and accent lighting also gives you the opportunity to try out different light fixtures which complement your room’s theme. In addition, you can experiment with light temperatures varying from very warm to very bright.
Keep in mind, many of your lighting choices will depend on the size and layout of your bathroom. For example, there are certain fixtures and light sources that look great in a master bathroom but can make small bathrooms seem cluttered.
5. Neglecting Proper Ventilation
Another one of the most common bathroom remodeling mistakes is neglecting to ensure your space has proper ventilation. Mold is extremely common in bathrooms because of the moist air and steam that accumulates.
Without proper ventilation, many bathrooms form small black specks on the walls and ceiling, which is a sign of mold buildup. Having windows is helpful to avoid this, but you’ll most likely need to do more such as installing a ventilation system.
How to fix it:
There are many options to choose from when looking for a good ventilation system. However, every system should be installed by a professional. This will ensure it’s done correctly and safely.
Your bathroom probably already has ventilation points, so as you plan your layout, get a professional’s advice to see if the current ventilation system will work to circulate the air properly.
Depending on your new layout or design, you may need to change the ventilation points or install an entirely different system. No matter what you choose, it’s good to remember that good air circulation is imperative to keep your bathroom safe and usable.
6. Rushing the Design Process
It’s easy to get carried away with the excitement of planning a bathroom remodel. It’s good to be enthusiastic about your renovation, but it’s also important to step back and remember that there are fundamentals to consider.
One of the worst bathroom design mistakes a homeowner can make is rushing the design process. This means that even if you’ve done the research, planned the process, and created a budget, you still need to give the actual renovations the time they deserve.
Most bathroom remodeling projects take at least 4-6 weeks to complete, however, every process is different and this duration can easily become longer.
How to fix it:
There are a variety of factors you need to consider and be prepared for when planning a bathroom remodel. Some of these include:
- Bathroom layout. You may have a lot of big ideas for your bathroom remodel, and while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it’s important to be realistic about your space. For example, many common bathroom layout mistakes happen when homeowners try to cram too much into a small space.
- Material and hardware availability. Once you decide on your bathroom materials and hardware pieces, you need to ensure they are available. These may include things like your tiles, shower and sink faucets, cabinets, and other elements.
- Delivery timeframes. Availability is one thing, but checking when your materials will be delivered is a whole other obstacle. We all know that shipping dates can get pushed back or delayed. Be prepared to put your project on hold if something is taking longer to get to you than you anticipated.
- Remodel schedule. This will depend on who you’re hiring to help with your project. Make sure you sit down with your installer and/or interior designer and figure out a realistic remodel schedule.
Every step of your renovation process is important and should be carefully considered. Doing this will ensure your bathroom ends up exactly how you imagined it. The more time you put into planning, the less time you’ll waste in the future with replacements, repairs, and unexpected hurdles.
If you don’t already have the help of a remodeling expert, we strongly consider consulting someone who can provide guidance throughout the process. An experienced interior designer will be able to foresee issues that you can’t. This will save you from making common bathroom renovation mistakes before it’s too late.