7 Bathroom Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

Renovating a bathroom can be an exciting (and daunting!) process. If you have never done it before, it’s natural to be a tad apprehensive about getting something wrong. Even ‘seasoned DIYers’ can muck things up from time to time, whether it’s due to an incorrect measurement or a lack of forward planning. 

In this blog post, our bathroom product experts take a look at some of the most common bathroom renovation mistakes they’ve seen over the years, plus some helpful tips for avoiding these mistakes. 

Mistake # 1 - Trying to incorporate too many features

This is something we see all too frequently. It’s easy for people to get all wrapped up in and excited about the latest bathroom design trends they see on Instagram or The Block. But it’s important to remember that no single bathroom can support all of these design trends without the space looking disjointed.  

A bathroom with coloured tapware, prominent feature tiles and a two toned vanity might be a bit too much on the eye. All those design features are going to be competing against each other. 

Our advice is to try to create a single focal point in your bathroom. This is the one single design feature that will really stand out. Ask yourself - what do you want to be the hero? A tiled feature wall? A stunning freestanding freestanding bath? Maybe a floating double vanity? Then support that focal point with accessories and fixtures that complement it, not compete with it for attention. 

Keep it simple, as they say.

Mistake # 2 - Doing a full renovation when only a revamp is needed

You might already have your heart set on demolishing your old, ugly bathroom and rebuilding a beautiful new one from scratch. But before you start swinging the sledgehammers, take the time to consider whether you really need to do a full renovation or if a revamp is all that is actually required. 

A full renovation requires you to re-sheet, waterproof and retile. This work drives up your costs. If you can get away with not having to do this, you’ll save yourself a lot of money. 

On the other hand, a bathroom revamp is like doing a renovation but without breaking a tile. Sometimes all you need is a coat of paint and to replace your old fixtures or fittings to give your bathroom a brand new look. You might be surprised at how much you can change the appearance of your bathroom without ripping up any tiles. Talk to a bathroom product expert for ideas and suggestions about what is possible within the confines of your existing bathroom. 

It’s also important to carefully think about the layout of your bathroom and space constraints before deciding whether you need a full reno or just a revamp. How much space do you want in front of the vanity? What size bath do you want and where can it go? Do you even really need to move things around at all? There’s not much point in re-arranging your fixtures when you don’t have to.  The money you would save on plumbing costs will be better spent on higher quality products.

Finally, if you’re flipping a house, it’s best to strike the blows where they are going to count. You might find that a revamp of the guest bathroom is all you need, allowing you to invest more in a total renovation of the main bathroom so you can really increase your resale value. 

Mistake # 3 - Not considering storage

The ‘minimalist’ look in bathroom design is currently all the rage. However, what often happens when people go for this trend is that they forgo having adequate storage at the expense of getting the look. 

Don’t underestimate how much cupboard or drawer space you might need. Consider how much storage space you have in your bathroom now and whether you want the same amount of storage in your updated bathroom, or whether it’s feasible for you to scale things back. 

If you really want to go with that minimal look, or space is tight in your bathroom, think about adding a recessed shaving cabinet. This involves creating a recess in the wall so that the shaving cabinet sits flush to the wall. It’s a really practical way for you to save space and create the illusion of a bigger bathroom. There are also plenty of compact wall hung vanities you can choose from for extra storage. There’s always a way to squeeze things in. 

Mistake # 4 - Choosing form over function

Everyone wants that ‘showroom’ look bathroom. But a showroom bathroom is not always a functional bathroom.

You might not have given it much thought before, but how you and your family use your bathroom needs to influence your choice of layout, fixtures and fittings. Let’s take overhead ‘rain’ showers for example. They look great and are very popular in showrooms right now. But they do have some drawbacks. They don’t offer much in the way of adjustment. Not everyone wants to get their hair wet every day. A shower system could be a better option for you, as these include a multi-function shower handpiece on the rail as well as an overhead showerhead. So you get the best of both worlds. 

Another example of form over function is lighting.  Fancy pendant lighting might look great, but you need practical lighting over your vanity. Placing the wrong type of lights in the wrong locations will create shadows. The best lighting option for your vanity is to have mirror lighting. Cool lighting should be used to aid with grooming tasks like shaving and warm lighting is best for doing makeup. 

Choice of materials is another thing to consider. While natural stones look amazing for vanities and tiles, they are porous and need to be treated and re-surfaced every few years to stop water getting through. If you go with a non-porous manufactured stone, you don’t have to worry about this. Ask yourself whether you’re happy to invest a bit more time and effort in having natural stone surfaces to get the look you want. 

It’s also easy to overlook the little things. For example, having a wall niche is a great way to keep your soaps and shampoos organised in the shower, but you can’t hang up a face washer or a shower cap in a niche. If you don’t want to have a shower caddy over your nice new shower rail, look at getting some stylish robe hooks for hanging things up instead.

Mistake # 5 - Not considering futureproofing or resale 

Renovating a bathroom gives you the chance to showcase your sense of style. But keep in mind that you should approach your project with a sense of longevity in mind. It’s important that you are happy with the design of your bathroom in the present and in the future. Styles and trends come and go. You don’t want to end up with a bathroom that you dislike in only a few years’ time after the trend you excitedly embraced has faded from favour.

Things you can do to futureproof your bathroom design include choosing a neutral colour palette and classic design features. Also, don’t just pick products which are the flavour of the month, always go with trusted brands like Hansa or Villeroy & Boch which will stand the test of time. For more on this, check out our blog: Tips for creating a timeless bathroom that lasts. 

If your ultimate goal is to sell your property, you want to style and fit-out your bathroom in a way that appeals to the most amount of people possible. Be conservative with your choices. Not everyone has bold tastes.

Also consider how your bathroom might need to be used in the future. Is this your ‘forever’ home and bathroom? As you or your relatives get older, you might need to consider installing grab rails in your bathroom. By planning ahead, you can put the necessary stud work in behind the walls now for when you need it down the track.

Mistake # 6 - Not hiring qualified tradespeople

It might be tempting to jump on Airtasker to find someone handy with some spare time to carry out basic renovation work, but trust us; you’ll probably end up regretting it.

Hiring qualified tradespeople is the only way to go. You can’t afford to risk things when you’re dealing with waterproofing and plumbing. Getting it wrong can become an expensive nightmare to rectify. 

Also, be sure you are detailed in your communications with your tradespeople. Make sure they clearly understand what you want to see at the end of the project. Inform them of any changes to your plans as soon as possible to keep things on track and to budget. Always hand over any tech specs before you purchase any fittings so they can let you know if there’s going to be any issues before you buy. 

Mistake # 7 - Not having a ‘back up’ bathroom

This is a quick one. It might seem obvious, but you would be surprised at how many people overlook the fact that they may not be able to use their whole bathroom throughout the reno process until it’s too late. 

If you don’t have a full sized second bathroom that you can use while work is being carried out, you’ll need to stagger out your project carefully so you’re not stuck without a toilet or shower for days (or even weeks!) at a time. 

Need help with your bathroom renovation or revamp project? Talk to the team at arthaus 

Whether it’s a home bathroom or a commercial one, arthaus is here to help. 

Our bathroom experts have all the right know-how to recommend the right products for your needs so that you can make that final decision with confidence. 

Click here to get in touch with us today. We have a dedicated bathroom showroom in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley which is open to the public 6 days a week.  

Or give us a call on 07 3252 6111. We look forward to making your dream designs a reality.