Many years ago, the bathroom was just an afterthought, often contained in a shed in the garden.
Now, things couldn’t be more different. As we make an effort to make the most of our down time the importance of the bathroom has increased, and often it is designed to be a sanctuary for relaxation and pampering.
If your bathroom is not quite a sanctuary yet, but you want it to be, here is a bathroom renovation guideline of things you should think about before you get started.
Think About Your Bathroom Needs
The first, and arguably most important step, is thinking about what you need from your bathroom renovation. A bathroom for a family of five might require a long list of fittings such as double sinks, a bath and separate shower, and tonnes of storage. Or, if it is just for a couple then you might want to minimise the storage to make room for a feature such as a standalone bath.
Plan a Bathroom Layout
Once you have a clear idea of what your ‘must-haves’ are you can draw up a layout. If you are renovating an existing bathroom then it is a much cheaper option to keep the layout relatively the same, instead of moving water and waste pipes for the sake of it. If you do plan to change the layout, measure your bathroom very carefully. It might be a good idea to hire a bathroom renovation company at this stage, as they will have experience maximising the space whilst minimising costly mistakes that can come from poorly drawn plans.
Find Inspiration
Choosing the style and aesthetic you want early on in the bathroom renovation project will help you with direction when it comes to fittings and fixtures. Hotel, particularly small boutique ones, are an amazing source of inspiration, so scour their websites for one you love the look of. Quite often hotel bathrooms will pack a lot into a small space, so you might find some layout tips for your bathroom renovation too.
Be Realistic About the Space
Unfortunately, there is no point getting your heart set on his and hers sinks, or a roll top bath if there is no space for them. The average footprint of the UK bathroom is equivalent to a king-sized bed, so, when planning your bathroom refurbishment, think about products that will make your space look bigger instead of trying to cram things in.
Tiles Are a Great Way to Follow Trends
Surfaces can be a tell-tale sign of a bathroom’s age, think about vinyl for example, once a huge hype now it looks dated and grubby. A common trend at the moment is graphic ceramic tiles, you may want to do the floor or inside of the shower in different tiles to act as a feature. Opting for a smaller area like this means it can be easily redone if you are bored of the pattern and want a change, then all you need is a little bathroom refurbishment instead of a whole rip out.
