A bathroom renovation is a big investment. Between choosing tile, selecting a vanity, picking out faucets and deciding on a shower or bathtub, there are plenty of exciting decisions to make.
But some of the most important decisions aren’t necessarily the ones you see in the finished room. They’re the little details that determine whether your bathroom is comfortable, functional and easy to maintain.
Here are 10 common bathroom renovation mistakes worth avoiding before you start.
That beautiful vessel sink or oversized freestanding bathtub might look fantastic in a showroom, but will it work in your everyday routine?
Consider how you’ll actually use the space. Think about cleaning, storage, accessibility and how much room you’ll have to move around.
A beautiful bathroom should be practical, too.
One of the biggest regrets homeowners have is not including enough storage.
Think beyond the vanity. Where will you keep towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, toiletries and all those everyday products?
Consider vanities with drawers, tall linen cabinets, mirrored medicine cabinets and additional bathroom storage furniture.
Nobody enjoys turning on the shower and getting blasted with cold water while waiting for it to warm up.
Positioning shower controls near the entrance allows you to turn on the water and adjust the temperature before stepping underneath the showerhead.
It’s a small detail that can make a big difference.
Not every beautiful tile is suitable for every application.
Large-format tiles can reduce the number of grout lines on shower walls, making cleaning easier. However, shower floors require careful consideration of slope and slip suitability.
Smaller mosaic tiles are often a practical choice for shower floors because they accommodate slopes and provide additional grout joints.
Always consider where a tile will be installed before choosing it.
Bathrooms produce a lot of moisture, especially during showers and baths.
A properly sized exhaust fan, with ductwork that terminates outdoors, helps remove moisture and reduce condensation and mould risk.
Don’t leave ventilation planning until the end of the renovation.
It sounds ridiculous, but this is one of those details you’ll notice every single day.
Before finalizing the location, actually sit on the toilet and test the reach.
Too far forward, too far back or too high can make an otherwise beautiful bathroom surprisingly frustrating.
Before ordering your new vanity, check the location of existing plumbing.
The position of the sink, drawers, cabinet configuration and plumbing connections all need to work together.
A beautiful vanity isn’t much use if the drawers can’t open properly because of plumbing interference.
One overhead light rarely provides everything a bathroom needs.
Consider combining general ceiling lighting with dedicated mirror lighting and, if desired, low-level lighting for nighttime use.
Good lighting makes everyday grooming easier and helps create a more comfortable atmosphere.
A bathroom layout can look perfect on paper but feel cramped once everything is installed.
Check the clearance around the toilet, vanity, shower enclosure and bathtub. Remember to account for doors, drawers and shower doors when they’re fully open.
Also measure the route into your home. Large vanities, bathtubs, countertops and glass panels need to fit through hallways, staircases and doorways.
Towel bars, robe hooks, toilet paper holders, shower niches and electrical outlets should all be considered during the planning stage.
Waiting until the tile is installed can limit your options and make installation more complicated.
The Bottom Line
The best bathroom renovations aren’t just about choosing beautiful products. They’re about making thoughtful decisions before construction begins.
At Vanity Mart, we help homeowners explore bathroom vanities, toilets, faucets, shower systems, bathtubs, tile and accessories to bring their renovation plans together.
Planning a bathroom renovation in Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge or the surrounding area? Visit Vanity Mart and let us help you make the right choices before you start.
