7 Bathroom Renovations Mistakes to Avoid
When starting to remodel your home, bathroom renovations are a great place to start. It’s an investment in your home that can provide years of enjoyment, and knowing a few mistakes to avoid can help you make the most of your efforts.
Planning within Budget
It’s easy to overspend when doing a bathroom renovation, and starting your planning with a budget is the best way to stay on track. Before speaking with a contractor, it’s wise to get an idea of pricing for vanities, fixtures, or whatever you might think will be part of the renovation. Also keep in mind that unexpected expenses can occur, and having an extra 10 – 15% for your total remodeling budget can help ensure your bathroom is done right and also on time.
Mismatched Fixtures
You wouldn’t want your bathroom or lavatory to look like a sample room. Perhaps more like like spa, with a little sophistication would be something to shoot for. Your choice of materials will reflect this and suit your own tastes, but avoid mismatching more than two types of woods, metals or tiles.
Design Trends
If there is one thing that bathroom decor that pink tubs and toilets from the past have taught us, it’s that trends don’t usually last. A bathroom renovation can be costly, so choosing classic designs, neutral colors and clean lines is always a wise choice. If you want to try something bold, do it with paint, rather than porcelain or tile.
Proper Ventilation
Since the bathroom tends to be the most humid room in your home, you want to ensure proper ventilation. Don’t skimp on the fan and go with something providing at least 150 CFMs (cubic feet per minute – air exchange) to reduce condensation and prevent your paint from bubbling (and mold growing) in future.
Proper Usage
It might sound obvious, but it happens. Make sure you don’t use wall tile for the floor, or floor tile for the wall. Some floor tile can be too heavy for the wall, and some wall tile isn’t durable enough for the floor.
Function before Form
For a practical space like a bathroom, it’s important to properly plan. Small details can be overlooked easily, like towel rails within easy grabbing distance of the bath or shower, doors for the vanity or shower are able to open freely without obstruction, and having adequate counter or storage space.
Planning Ahead
Besides having a budget and what tiles or taps, you also want to plan your layout, even if it’s mostly upgrades. Thinking too big within the confines of a small space can also be a problem and make things impractical. If your bathroom is small, keep your design compact and add the luxury touches to your fixtures and finishes. A renovation is also an opportunity to fix anything missing or that you always wanted or changed.