Bathroom renovation tips

Whether you want to upgrade your fixtures or simply inject some colour into the space, a bathroom renovation is a great way to upgrade your home. There are endless bathroom ideas to take inspiration from.

Before you get stuck in, you should have a clear idea of how to bring your vision to life. This will help make everything run as smoothly as possible so you don’t end up spending more than you expect. That’s where these bathroom renovation tips can help.

How long does a bathroom renovation take?

Knowing how long your project might last is an important step for setting expectations. Generally, extensive bathroom renovations take around six weeks to complete; however, the exact amount of time will depend on what you have done.

Typical tasks include plumbing, re-wiring and replacing sanitaryware (e.g. sinks, bathtubs). Some people also decide to redecorate by replastering, painting and installing new flooring.

How much does a bathroom renovation cost?

Make sure you settle any expectations regarding the costs involved.

The cost of a bathroom renovation is dictated by factors like the size of your bathroom, the existing plumbing system and the amount of work required. If you need a new boiler, this can add two or three thousand pounds, depending on the type you settle on. Total costs can range from around £1,000 to several thousands of pounds.

One of the most important bathroom renovation tips for reducing the costs involved is to put more thought into the planning stage. This means you’re less likely to have to pay extra to reverse any mistakes. You can also lower costs if you’re willing to embrace some DIY. Tasks you could do yourself include tiling, painting, and renewing grout and sealant.

How to renovate a bathroom

While no two projects will look the same, one of the most important bathroom renovation tips and tricks is to get everything done in the right order.

Generally, the process will look like this:

• Removal of the old bathroom, including sanitaryware, showers and electrical appliances
• Removal of tiles from the wall and floor
• Addressing the plumbing (e.g. water supplies) depending on changes needed
• Addressing the electrical wiring (e.g. if modifications are needed)
• Painting or updating the walls
• Laying down the flooring
• Installing sanitaryware, showers or fixtures and connecting these to the water supplies

It’s important to follow this order to ensure the bathroom renovation process runs smoothly. Painting the walls is difficult to do once the sanitaryware is in place, for example.

Before you start your bathroom renovation

Only start the process once you are confident in your plans. It might feel like you have plenty of time to make decisions but, once the renovation begins, the windows to make these decisions can shut in a flash.

Remember to consider aspects that require more thought, such as sloping ceilings and other hindrances. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from professionals if you are unsure about the layout, design and other factors.

Decide which elements you are happy to compromise on and which are non-negotiables. Sometimes builders might question your decisions and, while this will often be in your best interest, you should feel comfortable explaining your thought process behind it.

Make sure you know exactly where you’d like things to be placed. If you’re planning to have a wall-mounted shower fitting, make sure it isn’t too low. Perhaps a ceiling-mounted shower would work better for the space in this instance.

If you’re incorporating DIY elements, make sure you think these through. For example, you should consider plumbing access when tiling. Simple logistical elements can go over your head while in the thick of it.

Small bathroom renovation tips

When renovating a smaller bathroom, it’s worth considering how you can optimise storage. You could go for shelving built into the wall or sink units with inbuilt cupboards. In other circumstances, a small floating sink might be more appropriate for the space.

Simply reordering the layout of a small bathroom while renovating can make a huge difference. You might find that you can free up space by simply moving sanitaryware and fixtures around, though you should bear the plumbing in mind while planning this.

In the meantime, many people decide to go ahead with a vibrant wall design or flooring to make the space pop.