Is your bathroom starting to look shabby or outdated? Or, perhaps some fixtures have already broken down, making it a struggle for you and your family to carry out your business in the bathroom. Quite possibly, maybe you just want to beautify your bathroom and make it a more functional, comfortable, and visually appealing area of the home.

Whether you are just replacing some worn furniture or want a major bathroom overhaul, you want to make sure that the whole process is seamless, and the final result faultless. After all, a remodelling project is not only labour-intensive but can also be costly – especially if you make some mistakes. This is why careful consideration and ample forethought are important.

In this article, we explore some of the most common bathroom remodelling pitfalls that you have to steer clear of.

The Major Bathroom Remodelling Mistakes You Must Avoid

Remodelling your bathroom is not to be taken lightly. To guarantee the success of the whole endeavour, there are several factors you will have to take into account – and mistakes you need to avoid. Most of them have to do with a lack of planning.

1. Inadequate Planning

Not planning enough is no doubt the number one enemy of any home improvement project. Formulating a well-crafted plan involves identifying your goals and considering your needs, lifestyle, and specific situation. How many people will be using your bathroom? What are their age ranges? Is your bathroom just meant to be a functional space – or do you want to bring the level of comfort to greater heights? These are just some of the questions you might want to ask yourself.

In any case, before even getting started, you should already have a detailed plan laid out and know how the procedure will go from beginning to end. This may include the following:

• Budget
• Layout
• Walls and flooring
• Electrical works and lighting
• General plumbing and fixtures
• Colour scheme and other design elements
• Countertops, cabinets, and drawers
• Accessories and finishing touches

Even the seemingly minor decisions have to be ironed out early on. This guarantees the efficiency of the workflow and helps avoid unwanted delays. Sounds complicated? Hire a reputable bathroom remodelling company – and they will do all the grunt work for you. Of course, they also need to be transparent about the details and explain the particulars of the plan.

2. Improper Use of Space

A bathroom is a functional space through and through. Hence, you want to ensure that the layout and the placement of the fixtures are correct and practical. Otherwise, you and your family would have a hard time getting things done in the bathroom and only end up frustrated. For example, you should be able to easily access the bathing area from the restroom. And if your bathroom is on the smaller side, then you should not cram too much furniture and items inside. So, before buying that stand-alone tub or elaborate shower area, ask yourself if your space can accommodate them first.

Essentially, you want to create a smooth room flow, avoid layout miscalculations, and stick to elements that are suitable for your space. Aside from that, the new layout has to conform with building codes in your area as well. Proper planning and smart decision-making can help you with this.

3. Lack of Theme

Revamping a bathroom is no small feat, especially with the endless options in the market. It is easy to get tempted and buy every single fixture that strikes your fancy – whether it is a rustic doorknob, luxurious marble tiles, chic vanity mirrors, or minimalist countertops. The possibilities are practically endless.

We know it is challenging, but resist the urge and do your best to commit to a single motif. You can’t go for simple, elegant, traditional, and contemporary all at once – that is a recipe for disaster. You will likely just end up with a mishmash of design elements that don’t make sense and are also visually unappealing.

The trick is to start with a general theme, and then narrow your options further. If you want an industrial-style bathroom, for instance, consider which colours, furniture, and other elements can help you achieve that vision. Does your chosen theme feel too limiting? If so, it is probably best to explore other alternatives.

Related Article: What is the Cost of Bathroom Renovation in Vaughan?

4. Choosing the Wrong Materials

No part of the home is as finicky as the bathroom. You certainly can’t just use any material. Instead, you would have to take several factors into account.

For one, remember that a bathroom gets exposed to heavy moisture and humidity levels. It also experiences dramatic shifts in temperatures. As such, you would have to stick to materials that are specially designed for bathrooms. Otherwise, you will only promote the formation of moulds and mildew, as well as end up with warped furniture. Eventually, you will have to redo your space and spend tons of money along the way.

5. Using the Wrong Lighting Fixtures

Bathrooms have special requirements when it comes to lighting. After all, this is where you will be spending a lot of time grooming, freshening up, and checking your appearance, whether it is simply to wash your face or carefully apply some makeup. Essentially, you want something that can brighten up the space without being distracting. For some, it can mean a large ceiling light, while for others, it can be something subtler, such as a pot light. You also have the option of adding some vanity or mirror lights for your daily primp.

6. Neglecting Ventilation

Some owners focus too much on aesthetics and overlook the essentials, such as having adequate ventilation. Often, a window is not enough and you will need to install a high-quality bathroom vent fan to remove excess moisture and unpleasant odours. By promoting maximum airflow, you can keep your bathroom comfortable and smelling fresh at all times. Doing so also prevents mould growth, keeps allergens at bay, and preserves the longevity of your bathroom materials.

7. Ignoring Minor Mistakes

It might be tempting to just overlook small glitches and simply focus on the bigger picture – but don’t. Eventually, that botched grout application, barely perceptible tile crack, or tiny gap in the vanity mirror may worsen and become blots on the landscape. Even worse, the damage can be costly when repaired. So, do yourself a favour, and be as fussy as you can be while overseeing the remodelling process. Your future self will thank you.

Related Article: What Is the Cost of Bathroom Renovation in Vaughan

8. Not Having a Contingency Plan

Planning is all well and good, but you also have to be prepared for the unexpected. After all, when it comes to home improvement projects, you are never fully in control of the entire process. Something wrong or unforeseen might occur at one point.

Perhaps the most common obstacle has something to do with finances. Although budgeting is vital, understand that you may not be able to stick to it all the time. Maybe you had to obtain your fixtures in another store – one that charges a bit higher than you expected. Or, maybe it turns out that your bathroom needs a major overhaul to conform to plumbing codes and standards. The list goes on and on.

Ultimately, this stresses the importance of being flexible and having some leeway with your budget. That is, make sure you have some extra bucks to accommodate any unexpected stumbling blocks and expenses. Ideally, you should set aside some additional 15 to 20 percent.

9. Rushing the Remodelling Process

Bathroom remodelling is a time-consuming process and can take anywhere between four and six weeks. Of course, this is only a rough estimate and will still depend on several factors, including the size of your bathroom, the scope of the remodelling, the availability of the materials, and so on. If your bathroom needs to be demolished and stripped down to the studs, for instance, you can expect the time frame to stretch further. In contrast, if there are only minor tweaks, the whole project may be accomplished within a few days.

Remember, patience is key. Don’t rush your contractors and workers – this will only cause headaches and problems down the road. Instead, give them enough time to tear down the bathroom and deal with the plumbing, electrical work, walling, flooring, and installing the fixtures, among other things. Besides, if the contractors you hired are reliable, they would have given you a realistic timeline early in the planning stage. This way, you will know when to expect your spanking new bathroom.

The Best Way to Remodel Your Bathroom

For many, refurbishing the bathroom sounds daunting – and this is only natural. After all, there are several factors you have to keep in mind. Not to mention that a single miscalculation can also lead to costly errors down the line. Ultimately, however, it all comes down to proper planning and making smart, appropriate decisions for your space. To make your life infinitely easier, call BR Bathroom Renovations Richmond Hill. They will help you every step of the way and, more importantly, transform your dingy bathroom into the space of your dreams.