Ultimate Guide to Bathroom Renovations

Bathroom trends are changing by the year; it’s tough to keep up with the latest designs and technology.

But there are a few ways to remodel a bathroom that will stand the test of time. All you have to do is invest in the right resources while keeping your budget in mind.

Start by thinking about whether or not you wish to renovate your bathroom. If you come across more reasons than one to go ahead with it, look up ideas and inspirations to plan. Now, that’s just the beginning; there are many more factors to consider.

And that’s where we come into the picture. This guide will take you through the crucial points that should be considered while planning a bathroom renovation. We’ll cover all aspects to help you out, from choosing the right fixtures to maximising space.

So, without further delay, let’s begin.

The Ultimate Guide To Bathroom Renovations

Here are the factors you need to consider while renovating your bathroom.

1. Time Frame

It might take between three and eight weeks to renovate a bathroom. Not to mention an additional one or two months to plan, collect ideas, decide on designs and pick out fixtures and materials. So, you’ll have to be prepared to dedicate the required time to remodelling your bathroom.

2. Budget

Set aside a budget for renovating your bathroom; this will help you understand the scope of work. For basic renovations involving the replacement of existing fixtures, the total expenditure won’t exceed your average budget.

But you’ll have to spend more for mid-range renovations, involving more electrical and plumbing work. These projects cover the installation of new baths, toilets, showers, tiles and light fixtures. High-end renovations won’t be a problem if the price isn’t a factor.

You’ll get the luxury of choosing from a wide range of high-end fittings. Furthermore, using smart-home technology, you’ll be able to control the temperature, entertainment settings, and bathroom lighting.

3. Apply For Council Approval

There are two possible scenarios for which you might need council approval first if you’re planning to change the bathroom structurally by removing a wall or separating your toilet from the adjoining bathroom. Second, you’re making relevant changes to the plumbing system.

Now, you won’t need consent if you’re not adding more sanitary fittings to the bathroom. You can make replacements and reposition your shower, toilet, or bath without applying for council approval.

However, for installing a new shower in a tiled wall, you’ll need consent from the plumbing council in Australia.

4. Professional Or DIY Renovations

Next, think about hiring experienced professionals to manage the remodelling project. You could also choose to go the DIY route, provided you have prior experience of the same, to save costs. However, it’s a ton of work, and there’s no certainty of achieving the desired results.

That’s why it’s always better to hire a specialist when it comes to home or bathroom renovations. They’ll be able to complete the project within no time in the most professional manner. You’ll only have to pick out the tiles, paints, appliances and fixtures recommended by them and tell the project manager how you’d want the bathroom to look.

5. Bathroom Styles

When it comes to remodelling a bathroom, there is a wide range of styles to choose from. You can take inspiration from various bathroom renovation projects to incorporate ideas into the bathroom design. Just make sure that the colour scheme of your house and practical implications are considered before you make any decision.

Some of the most popular and inspiring bathroom styles and designs are as follows:

• Luxurious open-plan ensuite and bedroom
• Retro bathroom with ensuite renovation
• Compact yet luxurious ensuite
• Farmhouse style bathroom

6. Bathroom Size/Space

Divide your bathroom’s dry and wet areas as per their size and available space. After all, nobody likes getting their feet wet while brushing their teeth, right? Also, remember that you might have restrictions related to fittings’ positioning due to the plumbing setup. Only a professional will help you design the bathroom accordingly.

7. Layout

Consider the floor layout of your bathroom before deciding on a suitable style and design. Start by choosing the essentials you must have in your bathroom, including a toilet and a vanity with a shower and sink. After installing these fixtures, check the space remaining and add more elements, such as heated towel racks and free-standing baths, to have a complete and fully functional bathroom.

8. Toilet Type

Next, decide if you want a floor-mounted or wall-mounted toilet. In other words, do you wish to have a cistern mounted on the floor or attached to the wall? This will help determine the total renovation costs. This is a crucial decision that will affect your bathroom’s available space.

9. Tiles

The market is flooded with a variety of titles to choose from. They are available in different shapes, sizes and textures. Here are a few tips to help you choose the most suitable type of tiles for your bathroom.

• Refrain from using too many different colours
• Use large tiles for a large bathroom
• Ensure that the floor tiles aren’t slippery
• Choose standout tiles and add accent features

10. Showers

You also have a range of options when it comes to choosing showers and baths for your bathroom. That said, it’s better to opt for either a battery or shower bath if you only have space for installing one of these two fixtures.

On the other hand, a free-standing spa bath or a double shower will enhance the luxurious feel of the bathroom, provided you have enough space.

11. Bathroom Lighting

Give importance to the basic lighting requirements of your bathroom before experimenting with artistic fixtures. Start by lighting the vanity and sink of your bathroom. It’s better to install a lightbar or an LED strip above the mirror.

Also, you could play around with more classical fixtures like wall sconces, small pendant lights and dimmable spotlights to create a relaxing and calming ambience.

12. Storage Options

Even if you’re opting for a sleek and minimalistic design, be practical about the storage space needed for your toiletries and other bathroom essentials. Think about the size, design and position of the cupboards and drawers.

After all, it’s better to minimise clutter in the bathroom, and setting up wall-mounted cupboards in the corners of the toilet for vanities or sinks will help keep your essentials sorted.

13. Smart Technology

Most designers invest in intelligent technology while renovating bathrooms and other indoor spaces. You could ask your renovation specialist to install voice-controlled lights, a digital shower with an LED temperature gauge and a shower head with a built-in Bluetooth speaker.

Using fixtures and components powered by the latest technology will ensure a convenient and seamless bathing experience. You might also be able to install mirror cabinets featuring touchless control panels to dim the lights and perform functions like mirror heating.

Bathroom Renovation Mistakes To Avoid

Even the most experienced renovation experts make mistakes while remodelling bathrooms. Some of the common mistakes that you should refrain from making are as follows:

1. Installing a bath that’s too big, thereby leaving insufficient floor space.
2. Large tiles in a small bathroom.
3. Too high or too low storage cabinets because of lack of measurement.
4. Lack of space between fixtures.
5. Poor floor planning leads to no space to move out, stand, or dry yourself.
6. Lousy positioning, leaving floors constantly wet.

Tips To Save Money

Bathroom renovations can be expensive without proper planning. But there are a few tips to help you save on the overall cost.

1. Try to refrain from changing the layout of your bathroom; keep it as it is.
2. Install timers on towel rails to lower electricity bills.
3. Stick to appliances, fittings and fixtures available in the base price range, and choose only one expensive component to add a sophisticated touch to your bathroom.
4. Hire a professional and experienced contractor for the job who’ll be able to complete the project relatively quickly, ensuring more savings.

It’s Time To Renovate Your Bathroom!

Bathroom renovation is a great way to upgrade your home into the space you dream of. But the entire process is quite time-consuming, and it requires proper planning.

That’s why it’s better to seek assistance from a professional service company. Being experienced in remodelling all kinds of bathrooms and other spaces, the experts will guide you through the complete process.

However, after reading our ultimate guide on the topic, we’re sure that you’ll be able to make every decision related to the project without any hassle. On that note, we’ll take your leave.

You can always reach out to us or leave a comment down below. We’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Till next time!