Most Common Mistakes in Bathroom Design

One of the most used rooms in a home is the bathroom.  So if you are planning a bathroom renovation, plan carefully!  Whether you are planning to do it yourself or hiring a contractor, putting some thought into the planning and layout of your new bathroom will take you a long way!  To help you avoid common pitfalls & disaster renovations, here’s our DO NOT DO list:

1. Don’t underestimate the importance of counter & storage space.  Many homeowners make the mistake of choosing small storage units because they don’t want to crowd the room.  But doing this just means that your space will eventually look even more crowded as you clutter counters with stuff.
2. Don’t think inside the box when it comes to storage.  Be creative and use vertical space by going with some tall storage units.  But make sure you think carefully about the type of storage you need.
3. Don’t forget to make room for two.  If you and your partner consistently share the bathroom, put in two sinks.  But beyond that, make sure you have enough room for two!  A cramp space to get ready for the day can make for a very unpleasant morning!
4. Don’t buy tubs that won’t fit in your current space.  Make sure you can get it into the house first and then ensure there’s enough room for it in the bathroom.  Larger freestanding tubs are very popular but not everyone can have them!
5. Don’t forget to ventilate.  Owners always regret it when they realize it too late.  If you don’t ventilate properly you are inviting mildew & mold, amongst other things.
6. Don’t put the toilet beside the door.  It’s very awkward to open your door & see the toilet first.  Try to place your sink closest to the door.
7. Don’t forget to think about access panels for motor/power system, etc if you are installing whirlpool tubes, etc.  The further away the motor is from the tub, the more peaceful your bathing experience will be.
8. Don’t install multiple jets if you don’t have the pressure to handle all of them.
9. Don’t neglect safety precautions.  Use non-slip material for floors & showers.  Non-slip materials are no longer the ugly eye-sore that they were years ago.  There are very attractive and design friendly options.
10. Don’t be a hero!  If you have never renovated before, avoid doing it all by yourself.  Bathrooms, particularly, are not the best place to start your first DIY renovation project.  If you are on a budget already, and have no previous renovation experience, this may just end up blowing your budget altogether.

It is not as easy as those home improvement shows make it look.  For one thing, renovations take weeks, months sometimes – not a day!  The stress of it will build as the project progresses and new problems arise.  Plan plan plan and maybe you won’t have to “hope for the best” everyday of the renovation.