We all make mistakes — don’t let your bathroom renovation be one of them

Is it time to renovate your bathroom but you don’t know where to start? While the outcome is rewarding, it can also be a challenging experience, and many first-time renovators make mistakes which can lead to extra costs, delays or unwanted results. Here are the most common bathroom renovations mistakes to avoid.

Winging a budget

Too many people underestimate how important a budget is. It’s not enough to designate a lump sum for the room and hope that all your wants and needs will fit within these parameters — you have to prepare a detailed budget per item in the space. The easiest way to work this out is to think long and hard about which aspect of your bathroom update is most important to you. Is a freestanding bath a must-have? Do you want to include decorative imported tiles or is ample vanity storage more important to you? Once you’ve worked out your priorities, designate money to each area based on its importance to you.

Lack of planning

A successful renovation starts with planning. Bathroom design is not something that should be pulled together on a whim. It takes time to understand how your bathroom space can best work for you. Think about which materials, fixtures and fittings will best suit you and your family, ensuring they are easy to clean, durable and available in your desired timeframe. As important as planning is, it is equally as important to understand that, when working on a renovation, sometimes you need to expect the unexpected. For example, when you rip up the floor you might find water damaged joists which need to be replaced before the renovation can continue. This is the nature of working on an existing property, and it’s something to be mindful of before embarking on your renovation journey.

Quantity over quality

Too many people try to cut corners and save money by using cheap building materials, but this is a sure-fire way to end up with problems down the road. Prioritise quality equipment and materials, and hire expert tradespeople who can complete the work in a timely manner and who, most importantly, can comply with building codes and regulations.

Forgoing storage

If you think a small shaving mirror cabinet is going to be enough, think again. Storage is absolutely essential in achieving a functional and uncluttered family bathroom. You don’t want your cosmetics, toiletries and towels just lying around. Ask your designer to create a smart storage system to suit your unique needs and include recessed shelves in your shower and bath areas to make your morning routine a breeze.

At smarterBATHROOMS+ we can explore all your renovation options and help you to avoid these common bathroom renovation mistakes. Call us on 1300 662 838 to speak to one of our experts today.