10 Things You Need To Know Before Starting Your Bathroom Renovation

The bathroom is one of the most sacred places in your home. It should make you feel comfortable and relaxed and accommodate your lifestyle well. You can constantly renovate your bathroom to suit your lifestyle better. If you’re interested in doing that, here are ten things you need to know before you hammer in a single nail for your bathroom renovation.

1. Renovations require a proper budget.

The budget can limit the features and options you can get for your bathroom renovation. That’s why you should be clear about your budget to have realistic expectations. The professionals you hire should be part of the budget. You should also include the bathroom supplies for renovations when you’re budgeting.

It’s also a good idea to have emergency funds for the renovation in case of issues. That way, even though these are unexpected expenses, you have enough to solve these problems without feeling like you’re dipping into personal savings.

2. Plan your bathroom renovation.

Your contractor might prepare the plan for your bathroom renovation, but it’s still a good idea to check it to ensure that you’re getting what you want. If you’re doing the renovation yourself, you must plan your renovations.

With a plan, you can have a more accurate project timeline, budgeting, and cost projection. It’s also your reference to avoid mistakes during renovation.

By creating a renovation plan, you may discover changes you want to make in your bathroom that will make it more comfortable to use than you might have missed the first time.

3. Choosing the suitable materials is crucial.

Don’t focus only on the appearance of your bathroom. It would help if you prioritized the durability and usability of the materials in your bathroom instead.

Questions you should ask yourself regarding the materials you use for your bathroom would be:

• Are they durable?
• Water-resistant?
• Affordable?
• Low-maintenance?
• Easy to clean?
• Attractive?

Asking yourself these questions can help you determine which bathroom materials to use when renovating. It also lets you know the parts of the material you want to compromise on. For example, you might not mind that it’s not affordable as long as it’s easy to maintain and fits the theme of your bathroom.

4. Lighting is your best friend.

Another thing you should remember before renovating your bathroom is the lighting.

Consider adding or incorporating natural lighting in your bathroom wherever possible. It’s perfect for creating a more comforting ambiance. You can add natural lighting by having windows and maintain privacy using stained glass. If natural light isn’t realistic, choose the lighting fixtures you want to add to your bathroom.

5. Choose wisely on fixtures and fittings.

Regarding fixtures, other bathroom fittings should be part of your renovation plan.

Think about the overall vibe you’re going for. Are you feeling sleek and modern? Or are you leaning more towards a rustic, farmhouse look? That’s going to help you narrow down your options.

Next, measure everything. You want a sink manageable for the vanity or an awkwardly placed toilet. Get out that trusty tape measure and ensure everything fits just right.

And don’t forget about functionality. Those copper fixtures look super fancy, but will they hold up to daily use? Do your research and read reviews to ensure you’re getting quality, long-lasting products.

6. Features: wants vs. needs.

When planning the main renovation aspects of your bathroom, you should consider which features are necessary and which aren’t.

Prioritize the features in your bathroom that will significantly improve its relaxation and comfort. If you have the budget left over, you can focus on more aesthetic renovations.

7. Accessibility should be considered.

If you’re living with a disability or with someone who has a disability, a bathroom renovation is the best time to make changes that can make it more accessible to everyone. Even without a disability, accommodating personal traits or older people can make your bathroom safer.

Look at accommodating mobility tools. Have handles in place in case someone slips. Better yet, don’t use slippery flooring materials in your bathroom.

8. Work DIY or hire a professional.

When renovating the bathroom, you have two options: you can either do it yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.

If you go the DIY route, it’s cheaper. You can make changes on the spot without much issue. However, it might take a long time, or if you’re inexperienced, you might even damage the bathroom.

On the other hand, professionals can do the job faster than you can. They also have connections for materials, legal compliance, etc. However, it costs money every step of the way.

9. Keeping with the project schedule

A solid renovation plan ensures that your renovation schedule is on time as much as possible. From the demo to the final touches, map out each renovation step and give yourself a realistic timeline. If you’re working with a contractor, they’ll give you a timeline estimate based on your project specifications during the proposal stages.

Consider constantly communicating with your contractors. That way, they can inform you of potential renovation issues, and you can help them address them before they cause significant delays.

It’s also a good idea to be flexible with the schedule. Even when the contractor gives a project timeline estimate, unexpected issues will pop up. That’s why being flexible with renovation deadlines is vital. Patience and a good sense of humor can go a long way regarding bathroom renovations.

10. Prioritize maintenance and upkeep.

How you’re going to maintain the bathroom after renovation is a crucial consideration. The last thing you want to happen is spending a lot of money, time, and resources only to reencounter the issues you’ve previously been having with your bathroom before renovation.

Look back on how you usually use your bathroom. Which parts constantly break down? What cleaning tasks are you tired of dealing with? Identify these issues to determine what changes to make during the renovation to avoid having these maintenance and upkeep issues again.

Some materials require more maintenance if you want them to last long. Before you choose these materials, ensure you’re prepared with the upkeep.

These preliminary planning and considerations can help you avoid costly mistakes in your bathroom renovation. Take your time during the planning so that once renovation starts, you make fewer mistakes that can cost you money and time.