Our Top 5 Bathroom Renovation Tips for 2021

Bathrooms are one of your home’s most used spaces, so when yours isn’t working for you, it can feel as though your space is working against you and even the simplest tasks, (like brushing your teeth) can become tedious. In fact, we spend so much time in our bathrooms that a bathroom renovation is not only a home improvement but a significant lifestyle upgrade too.

Whether it is to make your bathroom more functional, to replace those outdated fittings and finishes, or to include the perfect make-up lighting, we all have different reasons to renovate. And because there is no one size fits all solution to create the perfect space, planning your renovation can quickly become overwhelming.

To make life a little easier for you, we’ve put together a list of the key factors to consider when embarking on your bathroom renovation project. From creating a beautiful design to choosing the perfect builder to meet your needs and budget we have you covered with our expert Interior Designers’ top 5 bathroom renovations tips for 2021, so you can begin your renovation journey with confidence.

Tip 1: Making it beautiful and keeping it functional. 

First things first, your bathroom’s layout is everything! We encourage you to get a professional to help you from day one so that together you can figure out your needs and priorities. An Interior Designer specialising in bathroom design is critical to achieving a gorgeous space that is also highly functional because when it comes to creating the bathroom of your dreams it not only needs to look fabulous, but it also needs to work for you and accommodate your lifestyle. 

One of our Interior Design team’s top style tips for your bathroom is to make sure you don’t get swept away by all the new and exciting trends. Yes, you want to make your space stylish and trendy, but keep in mind that what’s trending now might not keep its appeal in years to come. The key lies in finding a balance between chic and timeless while keeping an eagle eye on functionality. This can be a tricky balancing act to achieve, and that’s why trusted advice from an expert is so valuable.

To achieve this balance, a great approach is to include new and exciting elements when they are considered to your lifestyle now and in the future. For example, a wall-hung basin might seem like a good idea now, but maybe a floating vanity would be a more timeless and efficient option for you. Or perhaps your heart is set on a large wall mirror, but you’d be yearning for the storage space a few months down the track.

So, to make sure your bathroom is as beautiful as it is functional, the best approach is always to consider the needs of you and your family today, as well as imagining the way you want to grow within your dream bathroom.

Tip 2: Choosing a builder or, better yet: the dream team. 

Bathroom renovations are a complex operation with many moving parts that need to be tightly coordinated to achieve a stunning result while staying on budget and on time. While builders may seem like a more cost-effective option initially, the reality is it can end up costing you more (in money and peace of mind). In addition, builders often lead to the customer becoming the designer and project manager, which usually can result in impractical design decisions and time spent coordinating trades.

Engaging with an all-inclusive renovation specialist is a sure-fire way to take the stress out of the process while ensuring a professional outcome that will add value to your home. At smarter BATHROOMS+, our dedicated team of experienced professionals will work with you from the concept stage right through to completion to ensure you achieve your vision, exactly as you wanted it. If you’re interested in learning more about what to expect at every stage of the renovation process with smarter BATHROOMS+, then Our Process, Step by Step, is the blog for you.

Whoever you end up choosing, make sure they take waterproofing very seriously. We know there are different comfort levels when it comes to being involved in the building process, but we assure you want to be on top of that matter to avoid (very costly) future headaches. 

If you’ve decided that engaging with an all-inclusive company is the way to go, a great way to choose your dream team is always to check reviews. Word of mouth will give you the best idea of the quality of the renovator’s work!

Tip 3: Spending Smart.

Now that you have your team together, it’s time to budget according to your reality. Being realistic and compromising isn’t a bad thing; in fact, it’s key to achieving the best result without getting underwhelming results or overstretching your finances. 

A great approach to the budgeting dilemma is to take time to consciously choose your non-negotiable item (or items) and then pick the rest of the products around that hero of the room to fit in with your budget. For example, you can choose to splurge on a quality vanity with natural stone and a feature tile on one wall, and then go neutral and cost-effective for the rest. The good news is, you don’t need to purchase top of the range for all products for your bathroom to achieve stunning results if that’s not within your budget. 

Here is another valuable area where your dream team is so important: your Designer is here to help you balance your budget, spending where necessary to give you a great outcome while utilising tried and tested products for the rest that keep your project within desired costs. Of course, there are always going to be compromises, and that’s fine. Your Designer is on your team to work with you on meeting your budget, so being transparent and open about money is key. 

Our blog Bathroom Renovation: A Simple Guide To Splurging and Saving is a great place to start if you’re interested in learning more about mastering your bathroom renovation budget.

One last piece of advice before we move onto the next tip is to always allow an additional 5% buffer in your budget for any contingencies that might arise. Having that money budgeted from the start will give you the peace of mind you need to make the best decisions for your project. 

Tip 4: Managing time. 

Reality TV has convinced many people that anyone can perform a bathroom renovation in under a week. But the reality is, a bathroom renovation is a process that needs time to progress and unfold; therefore, being realistic about timelines is a great place to start when planning your renovation. 

Working with an all-inclusive company is an easy way of ensuring that your project runs according to schedule. But because you never know what will meet you during the process, we recommend aiming to start your project ahead of your deadline when possible. This way, if there are contingencies, you’ll still be able to stay on track.

Tip 5: DDIY – Don’t do it yourself. 

DIY renovations are a big no from us: let’s not turn this dream project into a nightmare. If you intend to renovate your bathroom, it’s important to understand that DIY is, at best, a temporary fix. While doing cosmetic upgrades yourself may be tempting, they have the potential to delay your renovation and cost you so much more expenditure down the track. Our advice when planning bathroom improvements is to consider the quality of changes you’ll be introducing into your space. The bottom line is you don’t want to end up with a bathroom that only looks good from afar.

If you’ve decided you want a complete bathroom renovation, this is best left to the professionals. The last thing you want in your home is a sloppy result that could devaluate your home. We said before; waterproofing is super important. It needs to be completed by a registered professional as does the rest of your renovation to avoid taking unnecessary risks.  

When selling your home, bathrooms and kitchens are the spaces that prospective buyers use to measure the quality of the build, so you don’t want to decrease your property value for a temporary fix. 

So, before you go to the trade store, ask yourself if you would buy or live in a house that hasn’t been professionally built. If the answer is no, then get in touch with your smarter BATHROOMS+ dream team. Call us on 1300 662 838 to speak to one of our experts or book a FREE in-home consultation with our award-winning designers and start your renovation journey today!