Tue Feb 14

5 Bathroom Do's and Don’ts for Your Next Renovation

The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in a house as it represents a safe space for most people, and it is also one of the features that can influence the value of a home. Hence, most homeowners plan to renovate their bathrooms into an oasis they can enjoy for a long time.

Whether you choose to gut the whole room and start over or update a few features in the room, converting your bathroom into an updated, state-of-the-art style that befits you is a worthwhile investment. Here are some do’s and don’ts to guide you in planning the most efficient bathroom renovation.

Do Draw Up A Design Plan and Budget

Transforming your bathroom into a contemporary space is a capital and labour-intensive project that must not be undertaken without adequate research, planning and organisation - not to mention local government approval. Going into it blindly can have dire consequences for your home and your wallet.

The first step to a renovation is putting down your vision for the space. Talking to experts in the renovation space, such as Prominade Bathrooms, can really help sharpen your ideas.

You can compile a list of inspirational pictures that feature your desired aesthetics to form a vision board. You can also contact professional home designers to help bring your ideas to life through drawings or lifesize renditions.

Once you have an idea of how much work your bathroom would require, the next step is to draw up a budget using an estimate of the materials needed for the renovation. You can also get quotes from builders and contractors to form a rough estimate of the amount you will need.

Be sure to leave significant wiggle room in your budget, as there are bound to be unforeseen issues during the building process.

Don’t Do Everything Yourself

The successful renovation of a bathroom involves the skills of tradespeople like plumbers, electricians, builders and many more. Depending on how extensive the work will be, you will need the services of one or all of these tradespeople at one point.

If your redesign plans involve changes to your plumbing, such as water, sewage or electrical lines, it is best to leave it to the professionals, as the slightest mishap can cost you a lot of time, energy and money in repairs. You can tackle the less technical aspects like moving out appliances, fitting decorative fixtures or putting up the decor pieces.

Do Consider Ventilation and Lighting

The size and location of most bathrooms are major factors in their limited allocations for ventilation. A few small windows or an air vent are usually the room's airflow sources.

Inadequate ventilation can promote the build-up of mould and fungi growth due to the moisture and humidity in the bathroom. Hence, ensure that you do not block access to natural ventilation while renovating your bathroom. You can also improve the air movement in the room by creating more avenues for ventilation.

Bright, energy-efficient and eco-friendly lighting fixtures are necessities for your redesign as they are contemporary and long-lasting. Ensure to place lights in strategic locations in your bathroom to keep it bright and provide the illusion of more space.

Don’t Forget Storage

The bathroom holds many items like toiletries, medications, towels, linen, grooming tools and cleaning supplies. You can not afford to underestimate the amount of storage you need in the room, as doing so can affect your level of satisfaction when using your bathroom.

Make judicious use of your bathroom layout to carve out storage space that will not interfere with other features. Construct a vanity that features cabinets and drawers for storing your essentials. You can also look into reducing the size of some fixtures, like the shower or bathtub, to generate more space for storage.

Do Keep It Timeless

Unless you plan to gut your bathroom and change it up again in the nearest future, you should try to use pieces that will look up-to-date for a long time. With a capital and time-intensive project like bathroom renovation, it is advisable to stick to fixtures that can transcend the latest trends and deliver a timeless look for years.

While adding your personal style to the design is essential, ensure to keep the big purchases and appliances as neutral as possible. Use the decor pieces and small items like towel racks, cabinets and hardware, and lamps to reflect your personal touch.