Bathroom renovations can possibly be the most daunting rooms in the house to tackle. On the surface, they may seem simple, but the hidden pipework etc can cause confusion and frustration for many. In this guide, we aim to help you make this task easier. We will set out the steps for ensuring a smooth start to your bathroom renovation.
Setting a Budget
The most difficult but key part to discuss is money. It is essential when starting a new project that you set a budget, even if you just start with a ballpark figure; it’s something to work around. Bathrooms are one of the most expensive rooms in the house to change, and without a budget, you might get carried away or cut corners when you should/could have really spent more to achieve the dream bathroom you’ve always wanted. Within the budget, you want to ensure you have included enough installer costs, including ripping out and disposing of the original bathroom. It is also advisable to have a reserve for unforeseen issues, which are not often apparent until the old bathroom is removed, and don’t forget about all the nice new towels and toiletries you can fill your brand-new bathroom with using any leftover money.
Timeframe
Bathrooms take time, and they aren’t an area of the house that you want to rush. The best plumbers and installers are often booked up months in advance and products may take time to arrive (especially if they are coming from Europe or are being specially manufactured). When laying out a timescale for your bathroom, you want to make sure your products arrive before your plumber/installer is due to begin the work; this will prevent costly delays and also means you will be without a bathroom for the least possible amount of time. The bathroom is an essential part of the home so you will need to make other arrangements for washing while your bathroom is out of action, this is specifically key if it’s the only bathroom within your house. Good installers will always endeavour to provide a working toilet; however, it may not be the prettiest to use.
Measuring your Bathroom
A key step within the whole process, measuring your bathroom will help define the layout of your future bathroom and also show you what is possible with the space you have. For most bathrooms, this part can easily be done without a professional. To make it easier, grab another member of the family to help.
To measure your bathroom, you will require some sheets of paper, a pencil and a trusty measuring tape. Methods for measuring out your bathroom are:
On the sheet of paper, roughly sketch the shape of your bathroom; this is easy if it’s square. Where crevices are involved take time in considering where they sit within the room’s layout.
Once you have your rough layout, you will need to measure every wall and record this down on the corresponding wall on your layout. Don’t worry if the wall sizes don’t exactly match up no house is perfect so no room will be perfectly square or rectangular.
Next, you will need to mark out where the door sits within the wall. For this measure, note the size of the door, how far out from the wall it sits, and which way it swings.
If your bathroom has a window, you will need to measure its distance from each wall, the size of the window, and how far the base of the window is from the floor.
Note where the soil pipe sits (usually on an outside wall) in the bathroom and its directionality. Also, roughly marking down where any existing waste and tap points are will help identify where water pipes run.
For bathrooms with sloped ceilings, you need to know the highest and lowest points of the ceiling and where they correspond in the bathroom. It would also be worth testing where different family members can stand under the ceiling to ensure all parts of the bathroom are accessible.
If you are thinking about making drastic changes involving moving pipework, the joist layouts of your floor would be essential to know, but for most bathrooms, this isn’t required.
Bathroom Design
For some, this part is the most exciting. For others, they know it will cause arguments due to clashing ideas. So before diving straight in, have a search around and be open to what is available and also what is trending. But remember that every room is a different shape, size and layout and this means that not everything can be exactly transferred across from a Pinterest or Instagram image into your bathroom, often the designs aren’t as practical as they may seem. However, they will give you an idea of styles and colours that will look good in your bathroom.
Think more broadly about the style lines or the colours and textures you like or want to see in your bathroom. If you are really struggling to pin down a starting point, consider these simple questions: traditional or modern? Minimalistic or opulent? Rustic or industrial? Have a wander around showrooms or look in brochures, all these will help in providing ideas. Check out some of our inspiration guides to see how we’ve put together our suggestions for different bathroom styles. It’s best to look at what’s available so you don’t set unrealistic goals and also so you don’t settle on the first design you see; it is costly to change your mind halfway through or straight after your new bathroom has been installed.
Our Teams Top Ten Tips for your Bathroom Journey
To help you start your journey, our team has divulged their top tips.
Accurate measurements – Measure more than once; this will ensure your recordings are accurate. There is nothing worse than your installer coming and your measurements being entirely off.
Budgeting—Always aim to be at the top end of your budget; this will mean you have bought the best possible. Bathrooms are expensive to install, and you want them to last with good-quality products. As a guide, we suggest spending more on brassware, furniture, and products with mechanisms such as sliding shower doors to get the highest-quality items.
Professionals – Consider talking to a professional for planning and design advice. We also recommend finding an installer with a pedigree within the bathroom industry to give you that spotless finish.
Functionality – You may think you are wasting space putting in a bath that you will never use, however, if you plan on selling the house in a few year’s time young families would prefer to have a bath. A sidebar to this is to make sure you are utilising the bathroom space but not overfilling the bathroom; there is a difference between functionality and clutter.
Practicality – There is no point in selecting new bathroom products only to find they aren’t compatible with your water system or with each other.
Longevity – While planning ahead may seem daunting, a bathroom that is functional for you now may not be later down the line. This can also be applied to the products being bought and design elements being used. Think about bathroom upkeep and your ability to use the bathroom in a few years when taking on long-term renovations.
Ventilation and Heating – A key element in bathroom design that are often overlooked. There is nothing worse than a damp humid bathroom. Modern solutions can be both practical and stylish. Consider using underfloor heating, towel radiators and sensor-activated de-humidifiers within your bathroom space.
Lighting – The lighting within a room can change the feel and atmosphere, and no more so than in the bathroom. This includes both natural and artificial light; you must account for both when designing your bathroom and make the most of them.
Personality – Make sure to consider your personal requirements over style, but remember it’s your bathroom, and you can express yourself within its design. Don’t overlook the effects flooring, wallpaper, tiles, and alternative-coloured fittings can have on a bathroom’s aesthetic. Take your time finding and selecting a design scheme that works for you.
Accessories – Don’t leave these till the last minute; they can often be the spark that sets you going on your new bathroom journey. Weave them into your overall bathroom design in order to create a more practical space. Think about adding non-traditional bathroom items such as plants and vases to truly make your bathroom feel part of the home.