What are the key considerations you should take into account when redesigning your bathroom? We take a look at the questions you need to be asking.
Are you tired of looking at the same old bathroom every day of your life? Is the outdated style boring you to tears every time you wash your hands or brush your teeth? Have your walls and floors seen better days? Sounds like it's time for an upgrade.
Even if it's the right decision to make, redesigning your bathroom is a major task which you shouldn't undertake without careful planning. Unforeseen mistakes along the way can be extremely costly and time-consuming to rectify, so you want to be absolutely sure everything has been thought over and planned out carefully before you begin.
That's why we're here to help. In this article, we'll give you an overview of what to consider when redesigning your bathroom. We'll point out the most important things to be aware of and provide helpful advice, so you can achieve that bathroom you’ve always dreamed of.
Questions to ask before you start planning
To get started, let's touch on 2 main considerations that should act as a guiding framework for you as you begin to brainstorm your design plans.
1. Will I be able to fit everything I want into my existing bathroom space?
This is an important question to address, as it can profoundly affect the direction your design plans take. Maybe you’re interested in a relatively functional, straight-forward bathroom design? This is a sensible approach, as it will keep things simple, meaning you only have to worry about fitting the essentials into your space.
But what if you want a more indulgent, luxurious bathroom? That's all well and good, but it wholly depends on the space available to you. Will the new amenities you want to include be able to fit? Will you need to extend the walls to accommodate your vision? Or are there some things you should compromise on? To help you work all this out, you can find out more about bathroom clearance guidelines in our expert guide.
2. What is my vision for the style of my future bathroom?
Before you start planning, it pays to have a clear idea of the style you’re going for. After all, you don’t want your bathroom ending up as a mishmash of various odds and ends picked up along the way (unless that's the look you’re after—it's your bathroom!).
Decide whether you're looking to create a traditional or contemporary bathroom or if there is a specific style you'd like to see in the space, and plan accordingly. You can, of course, mix traditional and contemporary styles (indeed, the modern vintage look is a growing trend!), however, if you don’t have a particular look in mind, it’s best to stick to one style.
At Victoria Plum, we’ve created numerous bathroom style guides to help you “Get the Look” you want. Whether you’re into decadent Art Deco or on-trend Industrial interiors, we’ll show you how to achieve each individual design in bathrooms big and small.
What sort of decorative finishes do you want in your new bathroom?
Do you want tiled flooring decorated with artful motifs? Maybe you're looking for a stunning marble countertop in a bold colour, with accents around the room to match. Or maybe you prefer wood finishes and glass accent pieces?
Whatever your style, be sure to decide in advance, as some of these options may be a little more expensive than you first thought, adding significantly to your budget.
Want to create a stunning feature floor?
Do you want the luxury of twin sinks for you and your partner, or just one washbasin unit?
Of course, you'll need to decide whether you have separate washbasins or a singular unit installed in advance. The 2 options take up drastically different amounts of space and play a big part in determining your floor plan.
Save time in the mornings with separate sinks for you and your partner
Should you combine a separate toilet and washroom into one expansive bathroom?
Have you considered extending your bathroom and separating the toilet and sink with new walls? This could be the perfect choice for you if you decide your bathroom could use some extra space. It also allows for more privacy and makes your bathroom feel more luxurious.
But it's not to be decided on a whim. The physical construction involved in this will be costly, time-consuming and may require expert assistance.
What can you comfortably fit into your space without making major changes?
If you already know you don't want to knock down walls or significantly alter the structure of your room, you can make decisions according to your available space. You might decide to sacrifice a bathtub for a shower cubicle or combine your ceramics in one single toilet and basin unit.
Style it your way with a combination basin and toilet unit from the MySpace range
5 important aspects of your bathroom redesign
Unfortunately, bathroom renovations aren't just about making the fun decisions about style (as above). You'll have to ensure your new bathroom is just as functional as it is beautiful. Here are some other major components to think about when redesigning your bathroom.
1. Plumbing
You'll need to decide in advance whether you plan to redo the plumbing in your bathroom or move forward with the existing set-up.
Many bathroom re-designers would take the opportunity to install brand new plumbing. This can increase the value of the property and “future proof” the bathroom, as it would ensure there were no serious plumbing issues moving forwards. Since you're already remodelling the bathroom anyway, it might make sense to go ahead and replace the plumbing.
However, you might decide this is too expensive or too labour-intensive and that you want to leave it as it is. This is fine, but remember that the placement of your bathroom appliances depends on your plumbing layout. If you want to rearrange anything, you'll likely have to do this anyway. It's also a good idea to inspect the existing pipes for repairs just in case.
2. Ventilation
While most people don't think about this important factor when they're in a bathroom, ventilation plays a huge role in keeping the space fresh. If your bathroom isn't properly ventilated, you can run into problems with excess moisture, mould or mildew in the future. Be sure to invest in an extractor fan if needed and check out our article on preventing mould growth in the bathroom.
3. Storage
Don't get so distracted with all the big bathroom appliances and flashy decorations that you neglect storage. Take the time to add in a vanity unit, mirror cabinet or extra shelves—the additional space is worth it.
You can always find space for some extra storage
4. Lighting
Be sure to tailor your lighting situation to the desired mood. Whether you decide to use modern LED lights or even a traditional chandelier, make sure it fits in with the overall style of your new bathroom.
5. Colour
You'll want to put a lot of thought into your colour scheme. Otherwise, your bathroom can go out of style fast. Whilst a certain on-trend bathroom colour may look great now, it may fall out of favour in a year or so. If you are picking a fashionable colour for your interiors, make sure it can be replaced easily further down the line.
Soft, neutral, easy-to-clean colours like white and grey are always a safe choice. If you want to use a bolder, more creative colour palette, be sure it's a colour you won't get tired of too soon.
Discover the latest colours of the year as selected by industry experts.
Soft neutral colours are a great choice as they rarely go out of fashion
3 tips to make renovating your bathroom easier
1. Manage your time effectively
When doing a project as intensive as redesigning your bathroom, having a detailed, realistic schedule is critical to the success of the project. Scheduling mishaps and ill-preparedness could have disastrous, not to mention expensive, consequences.
Before you start removing the contents of your old bathroom, make sure you have absolutely everything you need to move forward. You don't want to entirely rip out the floors, only to find out that you can't get the tiles you want for a few more weeks. Having everything ready to go before you begin will help ensure a smooth renovation process.
If you are purchasing your products in advance, it is crucial that you inspect all your items, to ensure they are correct and as expected (you’ll find links to handy guides below). If you find any damage (which can happen on rare occasions), it’ll give you plenty of time to order a replacement.
If you aren’t experienced with plumbing repair or bathroom remodelling, you may want to call in skilled professionals to assist you with tasks you're less comfortable doing yourself. In this case, make sure you are careful and deliberate with your scheduling.
For example, if you've hired a plumber to help with new pipe installation, you need to make sure the relevant obstacles (i.e., walls) have already been removed before the appointment so that you're not wasting everyone's time with an unexpected reschedule.
Always unpack and check items like baths, as soon as they arrive
2. Stick to your budget
Redesigning your bathroom, like any remodelling project, is bound to be a costly endeavour. To be on the safe side, make sure you determine the maximum amount of money you want to spend before buying anything and do your best to keep expenses below this figure.
Building projects are notorious for the unexpected expenses that arise throughout construction, so you'll need to be prepared for this eventuality. It's an industry best practice to set aside about 25% of your budget for these unforeseen costs.
Whilst gathering your materials, there’s no need to spend extra cash on fancy brand names. You'd be surprised what high quality supplies you can acquire on a budget at Victoria Plum, especially when those products are on sale or part of a deal.
A designer bathroom without the designer price tags? Choose Victoria Plum
3. Planning is key
Drawing up an accurate floor plan before you begin construction is an absolute necessity. This will serve as an immensely useful resource for you throughout the remodelling process, and it will allow you to plan everything appropriately. Be sure to measure the dimensions of the room accurately and reflect this in the plan. Also, be aware of the exact locations of:
- Windows
- Doors
- Water supply pipes
- Radiators
You can sketch this out on a piece of paper or, better still, use 3D software. It’s really easy, even if you’re not a huge fan of computers, and you can create realistic designs in minutes.
Once you have this plan laid out, you can begin gathering your supplies and redesigning your bathroom. For a quick checklist, why not see our blog post How to redesign your bathroom in 10 simple steps?
