14 Do’s And Don’ts Of Bathroom Remodeling To Consider

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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People often expect to experience stress and mess when they consider renovating their homes. The truth is that there’s a tinge of reality in it, only if you fail to do things that need to be done. If you feel like your bathroom is long due for a remodel, now’s the perfect time to pursue your home improvement project.

This article will help you with what to do and what not to do when conducting a bathroom renovation in your house. You won’t have to worry about breaking the bank with your project and compromising quality as long as you are careful with your choices of contractors, fixtures, and procedures.

Here Are The Things You Can DO For Your Bathroom Remodeling

Take note of the following tips and tricks that you can do to remodel your house beautifully. These are basic but helpful advice, so follow them, and you’ll be satisfied with the outcome of your project.

1. Do Consider Your Budget First 

You must first determine what your budget is after you’ve found inspirations and distinguished designs. It’s essential to take into account your budget because you’d want to control all expenses. Overspending may make you cut corners somewhere along your plan and the results may not be what you expected. You can determine which aspects of a renovation are most feasible for you by examining your finances. You can see which procedures are necessary and which ones you can do later when you have more spare money.

Consider your budget

Image Credits: Kitchenandbathshop.com

To assist in keeping your project priced reasonably, you can do a few things, such as:

    • Try to find quotes from different plumbing and electrician contractors for your bathroom renovation.

    • You may opt to do some fixing yourself if it’s not something dangerous and complicated.

    • Check different stores and hardware shops to see which products are of excellent quality but aren’t too expensive.

    • Stay updated on days that stores hold sales and offer huge discounts.

2. Do Plan Out The Design For Your Bathroom 

Design your bathroom according to a plan because it’ll serve as a guide through and through. During the planning process, professional bathroom remodelers will ensure this happens when they perform the work for you. But, if you’re planning to do the project yourself, having a plan will go a long way. It’ll serve as a guide so you can achieve your dream results.

When your contractor devises a plan for you, make sure that you’re on the same page and know all the details, even the smallest ones. A little thing in the overall plan may make or break the entire project, so always keep up with changes and updates.

3. Do Hire A Reliable And High-Quality Bathroom Remodeler 

Hire a bathroom remodeler

Image Credits: Bobvila.com

Bathroom remodeling can be a DIY project if it’s small scale, and you only need to create minor revisions. However, if it already entails waterproofing, plumbing works, as well as electrical fixtures, then it’s best to rely on a professional bathroom remodeler. They should be the only ones who can tackle the waterproofing system in your bathroom to ensure your and your family’s health care and safety.

Also, when you hire them to do this chief task, you can rest easy, knowing that the job is done perfectly and professionally. New home construction and home remodels are their forte, so they rely on them to do these monumental tasks.

4. Do Follow Building Codes 

When doing a bathroom remodel yourself, you might be tempted to forgo permits and inspections. You might find it troublesome to comply, but you must stop and think for a while because it might lead to some costly disasters later on if you bypass such legal actions.

Later on, you may have problems with the quality of the projects, especially their safety. These might result from firing, flooding, and other unfortunate accidents. The best way to undertake these building codes and compliance is to leave them to your contractors. They’ll be the ones to deal with them while you sit pretty and enjoy a safe and sturdy bathroom that your legal sectors have approved.

5. Do Choose And Add Bathroom Features You Want 

When remodeling your bathroom, make sure the features you want are included. If you have designated enough budget for this project, why don’t you spare some bucks for things that you need? It’s been a long time since you’ve tolerated your old bathroom, so now’s the time to enjoy splurging on a comfortable and luxurious one. That is, of course, if you can afford it. Creating your own tranquil and relaxed space is essential to go back home and replenish your energies from a long tiring day at work.

Choose great features for your master bath

Image Credits: kowalske.com

To give you some ideas, here are some upgrades that are worth every penny:

Heat Flooring 

Put a radiant heating system beneath the floor of your bathroom to enjoy the warmth. Although porcelain tiles are a great flooring choice due to their resistance to water, they are not warm. Heated floors are specifically useful during winter seasons. This system is robust and can be installed beneath your tile flooring or stone flooring. You can go for this feature if you feel like lounging in the bathroom for quite a while after showering. This will warm up your feet while making you feel calm, warm, and cozy. 

Ventilation Fan 

Most modern bathrooms nowadays are equipped with ventilation fans. However, if yours hasn’t been renovated for so many years, then you probably don’t have this bathroom fan yet. This should be a priority feature that needs to be added to your bathroom upgrade. This allows good airflow within. It gets rid of steamy mirrors and makes you breathe well inside the secluded space even if you stay for a longer time. So, make sure to find the best product among the best exhaust fans in the market today.

Heated Towel Bars 

Heated towel bars

Image Credits: Usa.hudsonreed.com

Heated bars are capable of heating your towels so that when you take them off the bars, your body will be wrapped up with comfortable warmth. These are usually electrically operated, but if you prefer to go for a cheaper way to heat your towels, just simply depend on the shower steam to heat your towels from the bar installed inside, then you can still enjoy the same warm benefits.

Storage Solutions 

Storage solutions

Image Credits: Kitchenandbathshop.com

Storage is one feature of bathroom renovation that is not given enough attention. Adding pretty and practical storage to a beautiful bathroom will make it even more stunning. This is aesthetically beneficial, but more than that, it improves your things and their organization. You can find places for your cosmetics, hygiene care products, and everything else.  There are various kinds of storage solutions—from built-in shelving and closets to wall cabinets to door inserts and racks.

Chandeliers 

Adding a chandelier to the bathroom is a quick and easy way to liven up a hardworking area. You can either hang it from the center ceiling of your bathroom or put it beside the window so the sun’s reflection can shimmer through the crystals and other accents of the chandelier. This is a great way to make your bathroom look divinely luxurious.

Floating Vanity 

Floating bathroom vanity

Image Credits: Elledecor.com

Avoid wall-to-wall cabinets in your bathroom to make it appear larger. This is a brilliant tip for those with a smaller square bathroom area. This is where floating vanities come into play. They look minimalist yet sleek and offer a counter space or place for daily bath essentials.

Floor Rugs 

Don’t forget this overlooked idea. A tiled floor rug is another added feature for your bathroom, contributing to its overall aesthetic and comfort. Tile rugs give the bathroom a personalized look, like other bathroom decors you might want to add. They also give you innovative ways of making your bathroom look cozy and welcoming. You can go for different colored area rugs that’ll suit the color palette of your bathroom.

6. Do Choose Good Lighting 

Your bathroom can be made more energy-efficient by installing task lighting or LED lighting. Your bathroom’s lighting plays a significant role in its overall look. The brighter your bathroom, the larger it appears. Even when choosing LED lights due to their eco-friendly aspect, some light fixtures change colors, which helps make your bathroom look more unique and beautiful. Ensure to purchase lighting fixtures that are safe to use near water.

7. Do Go For Good Showers 

Go for good showers

Image Credits: Pittsburghremodelingcompany.com

If you’ve been a homeowner for many years by now, you already understand that each area or living space in your home needs to have a focal point. In your bathroom’s case, it should be the shower. Aesthetic- and functionality-wise, your shower design should be the focus when you’re doing your bathroom remodel. It’s where you take your showers, so your showerhead, faucets, drainage, and other shower fixtures must be all high-quality, sleekly designed, and smart to use. You can even install multiple showerheads to attain a luxurious bath.

8. Do Go For Timeless Bathroom Designs And Accents 

When remodeling a bathroom, you should consider whether you plan to stay in your home for a long time or possibly sell it to a new homeowner. Envisioning long-term scenarios will allow you to better decide on designs suitable for it in the long run. Skip the trends when doing your bathroom remodels, stick to primary colors and neutral hues, as well as go for timeless and unique pieces and designs.

Here Are The DON’TS When Remodeling Your Bathroom

Remodeling your bathroom

Image Credits: Rebath.com

Like any other home renovation, you must be mindful of what you shouldn’t do. Here are a few that you need to remember:

9. Don’t Do The Electrical Wiring Jobs By Yourself 

When doing bathroom renovations, tackling electrical wiring is difficult and dangerous. This is the reason the bathroom involves water and electricity at the same time. Hence, leaving the electrical wiring jobs to a professional bathroom remodeler is safer.

Don't always follow trends

Image Credits: Progressivedesignbuild.com

When browsing bathroom design inspirations online, you might be tempted to go for a notable trend that most homeowners have been following recently. Although this might seem tempting, it won’t be a smart move in the future. Trends change, and you might regret choosing them when they’re already out of style and outdated in the future. Therefore, it’s wise to follow staple and practical features that’d still look good over the years. Allow your design to be more of a blank canvas so that it might be easier to change your design as trends change.

11. Don’t Rush Everything 

Once you’ve decided to install a new bathroom, you probably want it completed as soon as possible. You’re too excited or eager to get things done that you forget it’s an ultimate big no-no. Rushing often leads to poor quality, which, in turn, would increase your expenditures when some fixtures would become faulty and damaged. Spending several weeks or even months planning your bathroom project depends on its size and scope. Take it one step at a time, and you’ll eventually acquire your dream bathroom in no time.

12. Don’t Buy Bathroom Fixtures Online Without Seeing The Real Products 

Bathroom fixtures

Image Credits: Fontanarchitecture.com

The convenience of online shopping will tempt you to buy plumbing and electrical products online. However, you should pause for a while and rethink. Researching online and comparing products is fine, but it would be best to check them first before actually buying them. Sometimes, things bought online don’t seem to be how they appear on the screen.  Besides, you might lose money to fake products. Visiting a showroom or design center before purchasing is always a good idea. There are also possibilities that you can find products that have excellent quality and reasonable prices.  

13. Don’t Put So Many Things In The Bathroom 

Bathrooms shouldn’t be crowded. If possible, go for minimalist design ideas for your bathroom. Less is more, and everything becomes more beautiful and elegant when there are just a few things. The space in your bathroom isn’t much, so maximize the use of the entire space. Your bathroom should be designed to make the most of its space without feeling crowded or cramped. You can check out tips and resources to make your bathroom look large without putting so much in it.

14. Don’t Waterproof The Bathroom By Yourself  

When remodeling their bathrooms themselves, many homeowners run into problems with waterproofing. Although they’re less familiar with waterproofing techniques, they persist in doing it to save money, often resulting in distress and failure. Save yourself from buying the tools and materials because you’ll only waste them, and you’d be paying double in the end. Hire a professional bathroom remodeler instead. With proper certification and licenses, they know how to execute the appropriate waterproofing system for your bathroom.

Conclusion 

It can be both thrilling and daunting to remodel a bathroom. The bathroom might seem such a small space to hire a professional. Although you might be skilled in doing some minor DIY tasks, leaving the plumbing and electrical wiring jobs for the pros would be best. A contractor makes estimates for your bathroom renovation expenses and will work faster. They already have a system and flow that’ll lead to a successful bathroom renovation which makes sense if you spend a small fee. Transform your bathroom now with the support of a reliable contractor and achieve your bathroom goals soon. 

Frequently Asked Questions On Bathroom Remodeling

1. What should I consider before doing a bathroom remodel?

There are a couple of things to consider when doing a bathroom remodel. Here are a few:

The size of the room you need for a half bath: It is advisable to look for an area that measures up to 4 feet wide and 8 feet long for utmost comfort. Ensure also you check local codes for any other requirements and details on dimensions and clearance.

Design for accessibility: The easy-to-grip, quality faucets and handheld showers can be put in at any time to suit people of all abilities. However, planning for permanent features such as grab bars and a wider doorway, a barrier-free shower, and lower stainless steel sinks’ height is important.

Determining the right height for accessories: No specific rules dictate the correct height for hanging towels and placing robe hooks. A designer will always use the dimensions above as their starting point. Hence it is advisable to decide the right height to put things. From there, you can add extra blockings as, when, and where you need to before finishing the walls. Consider marking these potential heights using painter’s tape and adjusting later if required.

2. What is the first step in a bathroom remodel?

Like any other home remodeling exercise, the first step in bathroom remodeling exercise is creating a realistic budget. The budget must address every expenditure, which means the budget must account for material, including appropriate surfaces, fixtures, fittings, and labor costs. Remodeling your bathroom can be expensive and complicated if you fail on this first step. There should be careful coordination of various trades like carpenters, a local plumber, tile contractors, and electricians.

A professional designer will help you design a new bathroom that fits your budget and guide you through each step of the renovation process. The cost will also depend on the project’s scope and the bathroom size, even as the designer’s cost will be included here. You can find a professional, qualified bath designer at your local home improvement store. You can alternatively contact the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

Suppose you want to avoid working with a professional designer. In that case, you can use your computer’s spreadsheet or a dedicated notebook to track all renovation expenditures, including a separate listing for material or labor. Suppliers and contractors will give you price quotes in writing. Remember, most of the quotes will only be valid for a specific period, up to four weeks. After totaling all the costs, add up to 20% to cater for any changes, unforeseen repairs, and upgrades.

The cost of remodeling your old bathroom depends on the condition of your current bathroom fixtures and fittings selected. Remodeling a mid-sized bathroom may cost anything from 6000 to $10,000. From there, you can move on to other steps of bathroom remodeling.

4. What are the rules of a bathroom layout?

Bathrooms are so varied these days, and what may fit in one may not work on the other. Your bathroom layout will include a toilet, sink, and shower arrangement. However, even with different styles and sizes, there are common principles that all bathrooms must rely upon. These include:

Never squeeze too many pieces: Bathrooms are meant to fit into the smallest possible spaces. Despite the small room, most people still want to throw in many things like a separate shower, tub, toilet, and twin sinks. Include these additions only if there is adequate space. If the bathroom space is not properly ventilated, it can encourage the growth of mold and mildew. Remember that you require enough room to turn around, stand, and dry off. Do not choke your bathroom with fixtures; it may feel cramped and uncomfortable.

Include a lot of storage: Know what you need in your bathroom and design a storage space for that. Most of the accessories and toiletries should be kept in a drawer, others in a cabinet, and some in a mirrored cabinet.

Should be functional: A good bathroom must be functional, meaning that your bathroom must feel natural to use, essentials easily accessible, easy to clean, well-lit, and well-functioning. Whatever bathroom style you adopt, do not allow the style to get in the way of functionality.

Well-lit, natural light: Do you know daylight magnifies space, especially for small rooms such as bathrooms? You can try installing skylights to flood your bathroom with light while saving its walls for furniture and fixtures.

5. How long does it take to remodel a bathroom?

On average, remodeling a small bathroom can take around 23 days. Assuming that the project stops on weekends, it could take up to 4 .5 weeks which is lightly over a month. In the real world, however, you expect to have downtimes due to unexpected circumstances. In that case, the project may take up to 9 weeks which is 46 days.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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