Tips for getting your bathroom build or renovation right!!
Bathrooms are a big ticket item when it comes to renovating or building so it’s important to get the details right the first time so you’re not left wishing you’d done things differently. The below list isn’t exhaustive but it shows how many decisions need to be made (and made early) so if all this seems overwhelming, get in contact today so we can plan your bathroom together and I can help with these decisions!
Avoid placing the toilet where it is easily visible from living spaces. Consider whether the toilet can be concealed behind the door when it is open or can it be positioned against the wall so that it only becomes visible once you are inside the room? The last thing you want is a beautiful bathroom but you see a toilet every time you are sitting on the couch!
Allow for power points for things like electric toothbrushes, hair dryers etc. Power points inside cabinetry is a clever way to hide these, just think about whether you want to have anything plugged in permanently or whether it is just for intermittent use.
Consider task lighting as well as softer lighting for relaxation, night time bathroom trips etc. Pendants or wall lights near mirrors and vanities can add both soft lighting and help with adding style to the bathroom, however there are standards around how close a light can be to the water source so just check with your electrician!
Sensor lights in or near bathrooms that children may use during the night are a good idea so you can avoid turning on bright lights so they can hopefully return to sleep quicker – always important!
If you plan on having a laundry basket in your bathroom, make sure you've allowed space for this or at least consider where the dirty laundry will go. Is it close enough to the bathroom that household members will actually put their dirty washing in there after having a bath or shower?
Make sure you're clear with your tiler about whether you want your tiled corners/edges mitred or covered using a trim. Trims come in different finishes now that can match your tapware and can be used as a feature but they are not everyone’s taste so make sure this is discussed before your tiler starts and even before you’ve ordered your tiles as some tiles are harder/unable to be mitred. Mitred edges can be more susceptible to chips so this is something to consider as well.
Consider how much storage you will need and the size and shape of that storage e.g. do you store towels, hairdryers in your bathroom or are those things stored in a linen closet? Think about which things you use frequently and where you would ideally like to store these – do you want all your make up at face level or do you want a drawer dedicated to this?
Smaller mosaic style tiles mean more grout lines - if this is going to bother you from a cleaning perspective, choose larger tiles or keep the mosaics out of wet areas. There are multiple grout sealants available now so if you have your heart set on smaller tiles in your shower area, talk to your tiler about what can be done to make cleaning as easy as possible.
Ventilation is so important, ideally make sure you have an operating window or if that’s not an option, a skylight that can open to allow air flow is an alternative. If neither of these are possible, make sure you invest in the best quality extractor fan that you can afford – a damp bathroom is only going to cause issues!
Shower/bath niches need to be decided at framing stage so don't leave this too late if you want to include them! Again, think about the size of the items that you would like to have in the shower, some pump bottles are quite tall and if this is what you prefer to use make sure your niche allows for that!
Find out where the door will swing into the bathroom - if it affects the layout options for the bathroom, think about whether a cavity slider or barn door would allow for more flexibility within the bathroom.
Think about where smaller items will go - hand towel, toilet roll holder and extra toilet rolls, soap dispenser, toothbrushes, do you need a spot to hang the bath mat when not in use etc? Look around your existing bathroom and make sure that you’ve considered where all of those things will go in the new bathroom.
Have everything written down clearly (preferably with images/plans) so there is no confusion over your design choices! You can go as far as deciding exact tile layouts so you don’t end up with half-tiles where you would have preferred a whole tile or grout lines that meet up at strange intervals between the floor and wall tiles or different walls.
Aim to have your selections done and ordered as early as possible to allow for lead times and shipping delays - you don't want these things to hold up your trades and make sure you have the items on site when they are needed!
Discuss floor tiling options with your builder/tiler as early as possible to make sure the tiles you want are an appropriate option - some tiles are thicker than others and your tile choice may influence whether there needs to be a small step up to your bathroom or not. You will then need to decide if you’d prefer a thinner tile rather than the step up! Builders and tilers often get trade discounts anyway so it is a good idea to ask about this if you are ordering your own tiles.
A mirrored cabinet at face level can be handy for storing smaller items - they can be recessed or surface mounted if planned early enough and you can get them in various shapes to suit the style of your bathroom – there are plenty of circular, oval options etc out there now!
Do you want floor to ceiling tiles? Do you want every wall tiled or just the ones that are in wet areas? If there are walls that aren’t tiled you will need a skirting tile to cover the join between the wall and floor tiles.
