Everyone makes mistakes the first time they do something, and bathroom remodels are no different. Wise homeowners can avoid many of the beginner mistakes simply by learning about them beforehand and adjusting their design. Here are seven of the most common bathroom remodels we see in the bathrooms we end up remodeling.
1. Poor Layout Planning
Your first step in any remodel should be to pay very close attention to the layout. Have you left enough space for doors? Is your wet room or walk-inshower large enough to contain water? Is there enough room between the toilet and wall, or the sink and the toilet? If you make a major layout mistake, you might have to start again from scratch once you notice.
2. Overlooking Ventilation
The bathroom creates the most steam in the house unless you have a sauna. Either way, ventilating the bathroom is essential to keep your air quality high in the home, prevent mold and protect the great materials you’re about to invest in. Get a professional opinion on how much air volume your bathroom’s vent needs to move or read into your building codes.
3. Low Quality Materials
Everyone has a budget, and it’s very simple to go over budget by falling in love with very high-end materials. That said, cheaping out can be a big mistake. Low-quality materials will break sooner and won’t look as great in the meantime. Buy the highest quality you can afford, even if it means sacrificing in other areas, and you’ll be happier with the results of your remodel.
4. Large Features and Cabinets
Bathrooms tend to be smaller spaces where you need to plan layouts carefully to keep it functional. You may be tempted to add in large cabinets for storage or large decorative features for impact. But, if you crowd a small space, it ends up looking smaller, not larger. Try to keep things small and add storage strategically to provide what you need without overwhelming the space.
5. Failing Lighting Building Codes
Lights and water don’t mix. So, building codes are typically quite strict about where lighting can go in bathrooms, especially when it comes to lighting above bathtubs and sinks. You should definitely check in with your local codes (or a professional who can explain them) before you make layout or lighting changes in your bathroom. Otherwise, you may fail inspection or even put yourself in danger.
6. Incorrect Paint
Bathrooms collect moisture even when they are well-ventilated. In a bathroom, you should use mold-resistant paint that can handle that moisture. If not, you may find yourself repainting.
7. Forgetting Features
Towel bars and hooks, bathroom storage and space for your toilet paper roll holder all need their own little spots in your bathroom design. Homeowners sometimes completely forget about these little features, so they end up putting them in last-minute in unusual spots.
If you want to avoid these common bathroom remodel problems, your best option is to choose a bathroom remodeler that you trust to handle your project.
