Things to Consider when Renovating Your Bathroom
The bathroom may be small but it's a complex room to renovate, and possibly one of the most important. Due to the many different trades that ware needed to properly renovate a bathroom, it must be carefully planned, and any errors can be quite costly.
Primary considerations
Work out first for your self how you think the lay out of the renovated bathroom should look to you. Sketch it out, taking into account where the services such as water, drainage and electrical currently are (a cheaper renovation will leave these in much the same places).
You should also take into account surrounding rooms - is the bathroom an en suite that has to flow from a master bedroom? Is it part of an el fresco area and needs to be easily accessed etc.
You will also need to decide if you are going to make any major structural changes such as altering ceiling height or sinking a bath/spa into the floor. Are you increasing the number of electrical or plumbing points from the existing?
You will need to decide the materials you intend to use in the bathroom - you will want tiles primarily, but would you also like some metallic or wooden features? Bench tops of marble, stone or formica?
Is there ample room to work such as a ceiling cavity to gain access, plasterboard walls that allow walls to be accessed, or under floor access if required.
In some cases it may be possible to utilise existing fittings if they are in good condition or otherwise important - such as mirrors, tap-ware or toilets.
Take into consideration the people who will be using this bathroom - is it a majority of the family or just one person - this will dictate its facilities and size.
If you wish to install a new bath or shower engineering tests may need to be done to find out if the structure of your floor can handle the load.
Keep in mind that your own rough sketches will need to be modified by the professional, so be prepared to change some aspects as needed.
An important step to take into account right now is going to also be how will you be able to live without your bathroom for a week or weeks for a more complex redesign. Is there a second bathroom that you can use, a neighbor, or perhaps this is an opportunity to get away for a week and leave it to the builder to take care of everything.
Get the Experts Advice
Here are some of the professionals that can help with your renovation, depending on your requirements and budget:
- Architect, builder or interior designer (any of which may be able to help you with the overall design)
- Integrated bathroom renovation service, project manager, builder
- Plumber, waterproofing contractor
- Electrician
- Carpenter
- Cabinetmaker
- Tiler/renderer/flooring specialist
- Painter
Make certain that all of the professionals you employ on your bathroom renovation are fully licensed and insured. It is often easier and safer to contract a single builder to do the job. That builder will then subcontract the specialised work to other trades as needed. This way you do not need to check the qualifications of each of them - the builder will take the full responsibility for you.
Common Mistakes
Do all of your planning in advance to the best degree you can (see the Primary Considerations above). It is often better to spend more time getting the design right at the start then having to change something later on. Use your professionals to choose tile type and colour, paints and other materials. They not only have to match and be aesthetic, but need to also be practical for the position they are in (for example, you will need a water-proof tile for the floors)
Organising tradespeople in the wrong sequence; This can result in skipped stages, revisits, extra work and costs. This can be avoided by having the whole job done through a qualified builder that specialises in bathroom renovation.
Planning redesigns without considering crucial basics such as cavity space, concrete walls/floors/ceilings, existing plumbing and circuitry etc.
Buying fittings or fixtures without consulting the relevant trade professionals, resulting in unsuitable choices. This includes tapware, toilets, mirrors and other fixed items.
Can I do it myself?
Generally speaking, no. There are many elements to a bathroom renovation, planning, waterproofing, electrical, tiling, plumbing, painting, cabinets and carpentry. These elements are all specialised jobs requiring experience and understanding. There is a correct sequence that these elements must be done in, and failing to get them right is costly and time consuming. Much of this work is also required to be done by a licensed person by law.
There are elements that you can do yourself, or assist in, such as planning, tile and colour selection and fittings. You will also need to give specific instructions to your builder as he is coordinating everything for you, and will need to consult with you on any delay or unusual occurrence.
The Bathroom Design - Tips and Advice
When renovating a small bathroom you want to try and give the illusion of space. Consider the following:
The illusion of height
Vertical lines add height to a room by drawing the eye upwards. Tiles that are extended to the ceiling can make a small bathroom feel larger. Painting a vertical stripe or using a similar wallpaper pattern is also a good idea.
Correct use of lighting will also help in this situation. By lighting the boundaries of the room rather than the center you will create an illusion of more space.
Lights and mirrors
Mirrors are a great way to add depth, width and length to a small room but be careful not to over do it, one mirror is generally enough. The mirror will also help to distribute light throughout the room. Try to utilise the natural light in the bathroom as much as possible. It is a good idea to install windows in a bathroom that allow light in but can remain private.
If this is not practical or there is no window in the room, think about installing a skylight.
Colours
In any case keep the colours as neutral as possible. Keep patterns to a minimum and avoid several contrasting colours or patterns. Remember, the bathroom needs to be lived in for some time, so anything too outrageous may get dated very quickly
Light coloured walls, floors and décor can make a room seem larger. We suggest using pastel tones, neutrals or whites.
Tiles
Larger tiles create a sense of space and are more traditional.
The feeling of space can be generated by making more of the floor visible. This can be produced with floating cabinets and a pedestal or wall mounted sink or toilet. In a small bathroom, consider how much cabinet space is actually needed - can towels be better stored elsewhere, do you really need all of those tubes from ten years ago etc. Do make sure though that you make allowances for the storage of everything, as items that end up needing to be left sitting out will produce a cluttered effect, that is not good.
Storage, sinks and baths
Pedestal basins are a great way of adding space. They look good and don't take up any additional space.
Placing windows near the ceiling will free up wall space for your storage needs - it will allow you to install wall mounted cabinets or a larger shower without having to sacrifice any lighting.
Placing the toilet in an alcove will make efficient use of a small bathroom, and above the toilet is a great place to fit a shelf, too.
Doors
A sliding door gives more room than a normal hinged door, and can be hidden in an in-wall cavity for a clean look.
If you are using a hinged door, don't clutter your walls with towel racks. Hang them on the back of the door instead.
Deciding on your Needs
Design Trends
As noted earlier, some designs will need to be looked at form the viewpoint of how they will appear in years to come - will they date and need to be remodelled early, or will they stand the test of time?
Lighting
In addition to the standard bathroom lighting, task lighting for shaving, applying make up and so forth is generally required and should be placed as close as possible to the mirror. General lighting should light up the entire bathroom and may be single purpose (lighting only) or dual purpose (lighting plus heating). If you want to use the bathroom as a retreat, consider installing a dimmer switch so that you are able to change the ambience of the room. As an additional point do not forget to install ceiling fans to exhaust steam.
Storage
Choose storage that suits your needs, and can take expansion if a family is going to grow. Do not overdo it though, as this will make the room feel smaller and smaller.
In the shower, there should be storage for shampoo, soap and other items that may be needed. Ensure that the storage is installed in such a way so that items can be accessed easily and without fear of items falling onto the user or anyone hurting themselves.
Water Efficiency
In todays climate where water is becoming ever more valuable, water efficiency is an important consideration in the bathroom. In fact, about 40 percent of all water used in the home is used in the bathroom and the toilet. New technology and designs mean that saving water does not have to mean compromising on water pressure and comfort. In the bathroom, the toilet, taps and shower are the key areas to look at. You may already have a water tank that can be plumbed in to the toilet cistern. Toilets should be dual flush. One of the benefits of installing a new bathroom is that all of the new fixtures such as tapware are certain to be more efficient than your old items.
A water efficient showerhead is a required fitting these days to bathrooms. There are many inexpensive designs available on the market today, and you do not need to have any noticable reduction in pressure, efficiency or comfort to have a water wise shower head.
Safety
Safety within the bathroom needs to be considered. Power points should be installed well away from any water sources, as should heaters, heated towel rails and any other sources of electricity, and are ideally fused with a safety switch on the supply board. If you have a lock on your bathroom door, make sure that it can be opened from the outside in the case of an emergency. Make sure the hot water heater is not set too high to prevent accidental burning.
Ensure all needed items are in easy reach. If elderly persons are to use the bathroom you may want to install grab rails. Remember a tiled floor can be very slippery when it is wet.
Professionals
To take all of the above points into consideration, and to create the best possible combination of design, safety, style ,budget and function in your bathroom it is smart to include a bathroom design specialist such as Just Right Bathrooms early on in you bathroom renovation. This way you can have all points discussed without the fear of forgetting something or getting a crucial matter wrong.
The right bathroom renovation professional will coordinate all of the various trades and purchasing that will be needed to get your job done. And using someone who is registered and has all needed insurances in place will give you peace of mind.
