Pro Panel: Biggest Bathroom Blunders
Our panel of experts reveal the seven most common mistakes bathroom renovators make, and how you can avoid them
Budget blowouts, mismatched tiles, fixtures that don’t arrive until weeks after the builders have come… they’re the stuff of any renovator’s nightmares. But according to the experts, they happen more often than you think. Here are the seven rookie renovating mistakes our panel of pros most frequently encounter, with tips on how you can steer clear of them and pave your way to bathroom bliss. We’ve paired what not to do with a selection of bathrooms to inspire and show you what is possible if you do it right.
We’ve accompanied this story with images of homes with great bathrooms to fuel your design thinking.
We’ve accompanied this story with images of homes with great bathrooms to fuel your design thinking.
Solution: Be prepared to compromise
Compile a list of ‘must haves’ and ‘lust haves’ and work out a compromise between the two. Maybe a double vanity is non-negotiable, but you’re willing to forego the freestanding bath? Also, determine from the outset whether you can afford to design a whole new bathroom or if a retrofit would be more finance-friendly (bear in mind that moving the toilet is the most expensive plumbing job in the house).
And on the subject of plumbing – dodgy DIY jobs often result in major unexpected costs. Don’t risk damage to your house – or yourself! Use a licensed plumber for all water works and you’ll save in the long run.
Compile a list of ‘must haves’ and ‘lust haves’ and work out a compromise between the two. Maybe a double vanity is non-negotiable, but you’re willing to forego the freestanding bath? Also, determine from the outset whether you can afford to design a whole new bathroom or if a retrofit would be more finance-friendly (bear in mind that moving the toilet is the most expensive plumbing job in the house).
And on the subject of plumbing – dodgy DIY jobs often result in major unexpected costs. Don’t risk damage to your house – or yourself! Use a licensed plumber for all water works and you’ll save in the long run.
2. Blunder: Project management mayhem
If you don’t have a builder or project manager overseeing your bathroom renovation, you need to be able to keep the project on track yourself. Taking on a bathroom design is a big task, so make sure you have a thorough understanding of the order of necessary tasks to help keep your tradespeople happy, and make sure everything arrives on time.
Renovating your bathroom? Find a specialised bathroom designer near you for a timeless result
If you don’t have a builder or project manager overseeing your bathroom renovation, you need to be able to keep the project on track yourself. Taking on a bathroom design is a big task, so make sure you have a thorough understanding of the order of necessary tasks to help keep your tradespeople happy, and make sure everything arrives on time.
Renovating your bathroom? Find a specialised bathroom designer near you for a timeless result
Solution: Make a schedule
Keep track of the process with a timeline. The usual sequence of events is demolition, plumbing, waterproofing, painting/tiling, followed by installation of new fixtures and fittings. However, the order of these may vary depending on your project.
Keep track of the process with a timeline. The usual sequence of events is demolition, plumbing, waterproofing, painting/tiling, followed by installation of new fixtures and fittings. However, the order of these may vary depending on your project.
3. Blunder: Choosing products in the wrong order
The sequence in which you select your bathroom products can have a domino effect, which, if done incorrectly, can result in some big mistakes come installation day. It’s common for people to fall into the trap of impulse purchases based on aesthetics. There are many elements to consider when choosing your fixtures, fittings and tapware, so it’s important to proceed in the right order to avoid a renovation disaster.
The sequence in which you select your bathroom products can have a domino effect, which, if done incorrectly, can result in some big mistakes come installation day. It’s common for people to fall into the trap of impulse purchases based on aesthetics. There are many elements to consider when choosing your fixtures, fittings and tapware, so it’s important to proceed in the right order to avoid a renovation disaster.
Solution: Go from biggest to smallest
Choose products from largest to smallest. Your bath and vanity choices will then dictate tapware, basins and accessories. By keeping this order in mind, you’ll avoid those hold-ups that can really add to the cost of your reno.
Choose products from largest to smallest. Your bath and vanity choices will then dictate tapware, basins and accessories. By keeping this order in mind, you’ll avoid those hold-ups that can really add to the cost of your reno.
Anna Tudball, interior designer at Atticus & Milo
4. Blunder: Selecting unsuitable fixtures and finishes
Some of the most common mistakes I see are people choosing fixtures that are poor quality or the wrong size for their bathroom, or installed in the wrong spot – often all three. You need to factor in how the bathroom will be used before making these decisions. For example, you need to choose the correct-sized basin and mixer to ensure you don’t get splashed every time you use it.
4. Blunder: Selecting unsuitable fixtures and finishes
Some of the most common mistakes I see are people choosing fixtures that are poor quality or the wrong size for their bathroom, or installed in the wrong spot – often all three. You need to factor in how the bathroom will be used before making these decisions. For example, you need to choose the correct-sized basin and mixer to ensure you don’t get splashed every time you use it.
Solution: Think quality and practicality
Your bathroom is one of the most used rooms in your home and you’ll probably want your renovation to last 10 years, so choose quality fixtures that will go the distance. Plus, a fabulous tap or showerhead can really add impact.
When you reach the planning stage, think about all of the fixtures required in your bathroom, right down to the size and location of your towel rails and toilet-roll holder. If space is small, think outside the box – built-in or wall-mounted fixtures and joinery, for example, will take up minimal space.
Your bathroom is one of the most used rooms in your home and you’ll probably want your renovation to last 10 years, so choose quality fixtures that will go the distance. Plus, a fabulous tap or showerhead can really add impact.
When you reach the planning stage, think about all of the fixtures required in your bathroom, right down to the size and location of your towel rails and toilet-roll holder. If space is small, think outside the box – built-in or wall-mounted fixtures and joinery, for example, will take up minimal space.
5. Blunder: Creating a dislocated look
So often, people forget to factor in what’s happening elsewhere in their home when they’re choosing materials and finishes for their bathroom. But if you choose these items in isolation, your bathroom can end up feeling visually disconnected from the rest of your home.
See more gorgeous, contemporary bathrooms by Australian designers
So often, people forget to factor in what’s happening elsewhere in their home when they’re choosing materials and finishes for their bathroom. But if you choose these items in isolation, your bathroom can end up feeling visually disconnected from the rest of your home.
See more gorgeous, contemporary bathrooms by Australian designers
Solution: Choose complementary finishes
When selecting materials and finishes, make sure there is a common visual thread that ties them to ones used in the rest of your home. The tiles or stone in your bathroom, for example, should relate to those in your kitchen to create a sense of cohesion.
When selecting materials and finishes, make sure there is a common visual thread that ties them to ones used in the rest of your home. The tiles or stone in your bathroom, for example, should relate to those in your kitchen to create a sense of cohesion.
Drew Mansur, founder of TileCloud
6. Blunder: Forgetting the impact of little details
People tend to focus on how the tiles will look when they’re laid and forget that grout can have a huge impact on the result. Using a grout that contrasts with the tile colour can accentuate an interesting layout pattern such as brick bond or herringbone, while a grout colour that matches your tiles will create a subtle, seamless look.
The grout you choose can also affect your cleaning regime. All grout gets dirty, but white is the least forgiving.
6. Blunder: Forgetting the impact of little details
People tend to focus on how the tiles will look when they’re laid and forget that grout can have a huge impact on the result. Using a grout that contrasts with the tile colour can accentuate an interesting layout pattern such as brick bond or herringbone, while a grout colour that matches your tiles will create a subtle, seamless look.
The grout you choose can also affect your cleaning regime. All grout gets dirty, but white is the least forgiving.
Solution: Think beyond white
Many people are surprised to learn how many different colours of grout are available – you’ll find everything from pale greys and charcoals through to bold brights. For floors, I’d recommend a mid-range grout colour that complements or even matches the tile. To give common white wall tiles a soft, contemporary lift, consider a light grey grout rather than white (it will also mean less cleaning).
Many people are surprised to learn how many different colours of grout are available – you’ll find everything from pale greys and charcoals through to bold brights. For floors, I’d recommend a mid-range grout colour that complements or even matches the tile. To give common white wall tiles a soft, contemporary lift, consider a light grey grout rather than white (it will also mean less cleaning).
Karen Reid, director at tile firm Surface Studio
7. Blunder: Going overboard with pattern
People often put too many patterns or features into their bathroom and they end up competing with each other. Richly patterned tiles can look stunning, but can be overwhelming if they’re not balanced out properly, as this bathroom has been.
Also, people often don’t factor in the scale of the room when choosing their tile format. The tile size you choose should be in proportion to the size of the bathroom. So while you may love a large-format tile for the floor, if your bathroom is too small or too awkwardly shaped to accommodate it, you’re going to end up with a lot of wastage.
7. Blunder: Going overboard with pattern
People often put too many patterns or features into their bathroom and they end up competing with each other. Richly patterned tiles can look stunning, but can be overwhelming if they’re not balanced out properly, as this bathroom has been.
Also, people often don’t factor in the scale of the room when choosing their tile format. The tile size you choose should be in proportion to the size of the bathroom. So while you may love a large-format tile for the floor, if your bathroom is too small or too awkwardly shaped to accommodate it, you’re going to end up with a lot of wastage.
Solution: Aim for a balanced and considered scheme
Decide what the standout feature of the room will be – if you’ve chosen a patterned floor tile, I’d suggest balancing it out with a neutral or plain tile for the walls (plus, too much pattern will date quickly).
Then take a close look at how all the elements you’ve chosen will look together – the vanity, tapware, floor tiles, vanity-top material and joinery. And when selecting a tile format, let the dimensions of the room dictate the size.
Decide what the standout feature of the room will be – if you’ve chosen a patterned floor tile, I’d suggest balancing it out with a neutral or plain tile for the walls (plus, too much pattern will date quickly).
Then take a close look at how all the elements you’ve chosen will look together – the vanity, tapware, floor tiles, vanity-top material and joinery. And when selecting a tile format, let the dimensions of the room dictate the size.
Your turn
What was your biggest reno failure? And is there any particular topic you’d like our pros to cover next? Tell us in the Comments section below, like this story, save the images, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Keen to avoid other common blunders? Read this Pro Panel: 8 Indoor-Outdoor Blunders You Don’t Want to Make
What was your biggest reno failure? And is there any particular topic you’d like our pros to cover next? Tell us in the Comments section below, like this story, save the images, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Keen to avoid other common blunders? Read this Pro Panel: 8 Indoor-Outdoor Blunders You Don’t Want to Make
1. Blunder: Blowing the budget
Creating a budget for a bathroom renovation can be challenging – there’s a lot to consider. But without crunching the numbers before diving into your bathroom project, you might find yourself in hot water before you finish. Your dreams may be bigger than your bank balance, and understanding a realistic budget before you start shopping is important.