As a homeowner, renovating a bathroom is an exciting thing to take on. A bathroom remodel not only enhances your everyday experience at home but also increases your home’s value and attracts buyers. Bathroom projects are among the most complex home renovation projects, involving plumbing, heavy-duty tub or shower fixtures, and tile. Understanding the most common bathroom remodel mistakes before you begin can help you save time, money, and frustration.
To save you time and money, we have thoroughly outlined how to avoid the most common mistakes when remodeling your bathroom and how best to approach your renovation project.
1. Inadequate Planning or Not Defining Goals
One of the most common blunders when it comes to bathroom remodels is taking on the project without truly knowing what the goal is.
- No Layout Planning: No matter the size, every square inch of your bathroom space matters. A plan without any thought to the layout can end up with a layout that doesn’t make the most of your bathroom’s potential, leaving you with a bathroom that feels awkward.
- Rushed Decisions on Design: Making decisions about tile, lighting, fixtures & finishes in the moment will more often than not lead to regret later on. Give your full attention to researching materials and layout options before you begin the project.
- Not Having a Detailed Budget: If you don’t have a detailed line-item budget, it is easy to either run out of funds quickly or overpay for your bathroom remodel.
Recommendation: Determine your floor plan early, create a detailed budget, and make your design decisions long before you pick up the sledgehammer to begin demo. Use online design services and/or a professional designer for assistance visualizing the finished product.
2. Style Over Functionality
It is easy to be swept up in all the pretty fixture options available, but remember that functionality should be the first priority and the foundation for design and decor.
- Vanities: Consider vanities that not only look the way you like, but also provide adequate storage solutions for your needs.
- Lighting: Lighting has the power to completely transform your space into a variety of moods. Be careful not to choose lighting that produces unflattering shadows or proves insufficient brightness for personal grooming.
👉 Tip: Consider how you actually use a bathroom. Do you need more storage space for toiletries? Do you prefer to shower more than take a bath? When considering your layout, plan for how your routine best accommodates your lifestyle and to avoid daily nuisances.
3. Not Budgeting Properly
A common mistake is either not budgeting properly, or not keeping to the original budget plan and splurging on unnecessary fixtures or finishes. These are among the most common bathroom remodeling mistakes to avoid during any renovation.
- Hidden costs: Plumbing issues, old wiring, or water damage sometimes only become evident after the demo phase, leaving you with costs you did not anticipate.
- Poor quality fixtures: There are cheap faucets, tile and vanities available, but opting to “save” on these items could end up with needing to replace them later due to poor quality.
- Unrealistic expectations: be practical with the bathroom product your budget can deliver.
👉 Tip: It is always a good idea to add an additional 10–15% beyond the total budget to accommodate unexpected expenditures, and invest some of that budget into quality waterproofing, durable tiles, plumbing fixtures, etc., before you add on luxury finishes.
4. The Perils of DIY
You Taking on a project yourself may seem tempting to save on costs, but be aware of the risks involved as well.
- Plumbing Issues: Plumbing issues can occur due to improperly installing a tub, shower, or sink, resulting in a leak and long-term water damage.
- The Installation Problems: If the tile work is not installed professionally, it is easy to end up with an uneven tile surface, or worse, leaks behind the walls.
👉 Tip: If you don’t possess the skills required or are unsure, leave the project to a tradesperson – plumbers, electricians, water proofers, etc. Hiring these professionals is certainly an investment, but in the end you can rest assured of quality work and not having to take on repair work due to DIY mistakes.
5. Not Ventilating
Bathrooms, being exposed to water and steam, are susceptible to moisture problems, and insufficient ventilation can give rise to mold or peeling paint. Unfortunately, the house’s owners may ignore this important feature.
- Inadequate Exhaust Fan: An inadequate or nonexistent exhaust fan creates issues where the air in the bathroom is never fully circulated or dried out.
- Long-term damage results: Too much moisture will damage walls/ceilings/cabinets.
👉 Tip: Invest in a good exhaust fan and air circulator, and place the fan as close to the shower or tub as possible.
Conclusion
Undertaking a bathroom remodel project is a great choice and an asset to you, your guests, and your home, but taking care to avoid common bathroom remodel mistakes is imperative in making the project a success and not a source of frustration. By understanding these bathroom renovation mistakes to avoid, you can complete a more functional, durable, and valuable renovation with greater confidence.