In what order should you renovate a bathroom?

If you're starting a bathroom renovation project, it's hard to know where to begin. In this handy guide, we'll explain exactly which order to do things in.

Your bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home, and it's also one of the most overlooked when it comes to renovation. But a well-designed bathroom can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of your home, and it can also be a great place to relax and unwind after a long day.

If you're thinking about remodelling your bathroom, here’s the order in which you should renovate, along with some quick and easy tips to help you along the way:

1. Choose a style and design

Before you start any renovation project, it's important to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve. What style and design do you want for your bathroom? Do you want something modern and contemporary, or something more traditional? Create a mood board (like the one below) containing images, colours, patterns and products you like. Once you have a general idea of what you want, you can start to narrow down your choices.

Browse our #GetTheLook style guides for bathroom inspiration

2. Consider your budget and DIY skills

Bathroom renovations can range in price from a few thousand pounds to tens of thousands. It's important to set a budget before you start your project so that you don't overspend. You should also consider your DIY skills. Some bathroom renovations, such as fitting bath panels or wall cabinet, can be done by DIYers with basic skills. But other renovations, such as rewiring the electrical system or fitting a new bath, should be carried out by experienced professionals.

Consider where you could save money by doing certain tasks yourself

3. Make a plan

Once you have a budget and a design in mind, it's time to start making a plan. This will involve measuring your bathroom (see video below), creating a layout that meets bathroom clearance guidelines and ordering your products and materials.

If the works involve building an extension to your home or changing the usage of a building, it’s worth checking with your local council whether you need planning permission before you start any work.

If you’ve reached this stage and are still unsure about taking the next step, why not enquire about the free, no-obligation Bathroom Design Service from Victoria Plum? With a little input from you, our experienced designers will create a realistic 3D image of your new bathroom, with styling and product advice. They’ll even supply you with a bespoke product list to pass on to your own bathroom installer.

Enquire today by clicking below.

4. Order your new products

At this stage, you should know exactly which products—and specifically which sizes—you require. Make sure you buy from a trusted retailer, like Victoria Plum, where you can be assured of high quality products at the lowest prices around. Keep an eye out for product guarantees and an award-winning delivery service for added peace of mind.

Victoria Plum is officially the UK’s largest online only bathroom retailer, where you can choose from thousands of stylish, quality bathroom products like these

Before you order, check out our guide to avoiding common bathroom planning mistakes. This’ll help you get your order right first time. And, if you’re relatively new to online shopping, read our guide to buying your bathroom online.

5. Start dismantling your old bathroom

Once you have your plan in place, and you’ve checked over and inspected your new products, it's time to start dismantling your old bathroom. This involves removing all of the old fixtures and fittings from your bathroom. If you’re doing this yourself, you may want to read our guide to dismantling your bathroom and be sure to disconnect the water supply and electricity before you start.

The sooner you dismantle your bathroom, the sooner you can transform it into something like this

6. Start on your walls and floors

Ask any professional Tradesperson and they’ll tell you that wall and floor tiles should go in first, before installing your fixtures and fittings. This allows for a more professional finish, and means avoiding awkward tile cuts to fit around fixtures.

At this stage, you may need to replaster and prepare your walls, before adding any coverings. If you already have a layer of tiles, it is best to remove these, rather than tiling over the top.

If you are simply laying vinyl or laminate flooring, you may wish to leave this until all your fixtures are in place.

7. Install the new fixtures and fittings

Once the old fixtures and fittings are removed and you have got as far as you can with your walls and floors, you can start installing your new products, like the bathroom suite, bath, enclosure or shower. This is where your DIY skills may come in handy.

If you're not sure how to install something, and it requires plumbing or electrical work, you will need to hire a skilled Tradesperson.

Create your very own home spa with the right mix of products

8. Finish the walls and floors

Once the new fixtures and fittings are installed, you can finish the walls and floors. This may involve painting the walls and ceiling or laying a new floor.

Once everything’s in place, you can give your walls and ceilings a lick of paint

8. Add the finishing touches

Once the walls and floors are finished, you can add the finishing touches to your bathroom. This may include installing new bathroom lighting, adding accessories and decluttering the space.

These beautiful Terrazzo style accessories from Accents will add the perfect finishing touches to your bathroom

Further tips and advice

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when remodelling your bathroom:

Choose products and materials that are durable and easy to clean
Make sure your bathroom has adequate ventilation to prevent mould and mildew growth
Install enough storage space to keep your bathroom tidy
Consider adding a walk in shower or bath if you have the space.
Don't forget the details, such as the towel rack, toilet paper holder and soap dispenser

With a little planning and effort, you can remodel your bathroom into a space that you love. And with the help of the experts here at Victoria Plum, you can find all the products and materials you need to get the job done. Happy renovating!

Shop bathroom suites

If you’re thinking of renovating your bathroom, you’re in exactly the right place! At Victoria Plum, you’ll find a huge choice of bathroom suites for bathroom projects (and budgets!) big and small. From timeless, traditional designs to on-trend, contemporary styles, why not browse our huge range of bathroom suites today? Simply click below to begin.