Renovating your bathroom is no easy task. In fact, it can often be a source of arguments and disagreements with your family or your partner. Fortunately, since you have come across this blog post, you are already one step ahead of the game if you take into account some of the following bathroom renovation considerations we have listed below:
Establish a budget
Budgeting is crucial as it provides an estimated plan of spending. Without a budget or figure in mind, it is easy to go overboard with your costs and you may find yourself deep in debt when it comes to paying for the bathroom renovation. A pro tip for staying within your budget is to request an itemized quote from your cabinet maker. This will allow you to see a breakdown of your renovation costs and if you decide you don’t want to spend that much money, you can accurately pinpoint which costs you may be able to reduce. Ensure to add a buffer of 10-15% to your budget in the case of unexpected costs.
Prioritise the important aspects
It is very easy to fall down the rabbit hole when renovating, that you feel inspired to replace EVERYTHING and start from scratch. However, this is not possible for many of us and may only be plausible if you happen to have an unlimited cash supply. While there are some things you can make new and modern by painting over, this is not often the case. Make a list of the things you want to replace, then prioritise them and work down from that list to ensure you are able to change the things you deem as important.
(Image Source: Bathroom Gallery)
Consider buying mid-range fixtures
Many renovators may decide to spend a lot of money on the big-ticket items such as the bathroom vanity, toilet and shower, but then they buy small fixtures (such as tapware and handles) that are poorer in quality in an effort to cut small costs here and there. You want your fixtures to stand the test of time and not have to replace them every few years down the track.
(Image Source: Claremont Gallery)
Consider the DIY route
Although it may seem obvious to hire a tradesman for every aspect of your bathroom renovation, you may want to consider DIY’ing some small tasks. With an abundance of DIY videos on just about every topic on YouTube, you can pretty much learn how to do anything and everything online (note that you should definitely exercise caution and be wary to those teaching you. Are they a qualified professional?)
While we are not advocating you do everything yourself, if you are able to do a few tasks on your own, it could potentially save you a few hundred dollars all up in the end.
However, there are some tasks such as electrical work and plumbing where you should definitely call a professional as those jobs should be done safely and correctly and may cost you more to fix if done improperly the first time.
(Note that you should only attempt this if you have some background knowledge on the tasks you are thinking of DIY’ing).
Inadequate storage options
Much like kitchens, bathrooms will always benefit from more storage space. Consider installing ample cabinetry space to keep your bathroom benchtop clutter-free and hide your products away from the view of guests.
(Image Source: Bathroom Gallery)
Check, double-check and triple-check your layout
Let your builder know where you want things situated in your bathroom and they will draw up designs based on your plans. Ensure that you have trialled and tested the measurements yourself by going into your bathroom and thinking about how you use the space.
Do you usually have your makeup sprawled out on your benchtop? Perhaps you could consider more benchtop space if you find things roll off your counter.
Sit on your toilet and think about whether you require more legroom or if there is too much space wasted in that area. Even small things such as where the best spot to have your toilet paper due to your reach and accessibility are factors to definitely consider renovating your bathroom.
If you are thinking of renovating your bathroom, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our interior design specialists to get started today! Your dream bathroom is just one phone call away.