Renovating Your Bathroom
Our expert guide to renovate your bathroom
The most important stages of a home renovation project are to do your research and make a start. Our step-by-step expert guide helps you ask the right questions, make some important decisions and find bathroom inspiration with flair.
How to get your bathroom renovation started:
The bathroom is often the most overlooked space when planning a home renovation, even though it is where most of us start and finish each day. When considering what to change during your remodel, there are a few things to consider.
It is essential to have a vision to properly approach the project and get started on the right foot. You might have already browsed around and created a moodboard with ideas, styles and colours, but it can still be overwhelming to know where to begin.
Our step-by-step guide to your bathroom renovation will give you inspiration and confidence to make some important decisions. Here are 7 things to consider when planning your renovation project:
1. Ask yourself why you want to renovate
As you enter your bathroom every day, look around and take note of all the things that you'd like to improve. Over the years, you would have seen why your space might lack practicality or comfort, but you might have also discovered your favourite spots or items in the room.
Using a notepad, scribble down the answers to the following questions:
- What do you like and dislike about your current bathroom?
- What are the must-haves you can’t live without in your new one?
- How many people regularly use the space?
- Which accessories could be helpful to make life easier on a daily basis?
- Do you have enough storage?
- What is your budget?
After considering all of the above, you'll quickly begin to understand your needs and a better version of your bathroom will start to appear in your mind. Once you have an idea of what you are aiming for, create a vision board. Creating a vision board with as much information as possible will be a significant first step in your renovation journey and it will help to facilitate conversations with design consultants and tradespeople when making future decisions.
2. Details to nail before you start the reno
Are you after the modern farmhouse look, or do you prefer a clean and modern look? What is your colour palette and have you considered if you want your home decor to have flashes of colour?
To avoid common mistakes such as the colour of your bathroom wall paint clashing with your new floor or feature tiles, it’s important to find inspiration for design choices that suit your vision and your needs by consulting with specialists in interior design and renovations.
If you like a rustic, Scandinavian style, we recommend timber feature tiles and white mosaic wall tiles mixed with pops of blue, rust or grey colour. Add to that an oak-coloured vanity and a white glossy freestanding bath, and your vision board of natural textures is complete.
A beautiful coastal look can be created by having fun with your decor. Mix sand-textured floor tiles with blue or grey feature tiles, add a wooden framed mirror and brightly-coloured vanity and allow for plenty of natural light. Tip: Use grout that matches the tile colour or opt for bold, contrasting choices to create a feature.
Our in-store experts are always happy to help you choose designs, colours and unique features if you are unsure which style is right for you. We also offer up to 5 samples for just $9.95 to help you make up your mind.
3. Planning is the key - measure, measure, measure
You don't need much talent to sketch up a few designs that suit your needs. Your initial drawings will help get your ideas and the images in your head across to a specialist and builder. They will become the basis of your new dream bathroom design.
Measure everything to help you plan better. Whether this includes the wall spaces, door and window sizes, or existing storage you would like to keep—everything on paper will help make decisions easier in the long run.
4. Must-have features are your choice
You are the only one who knows what works best for you and your family. Sit down and decide if you need a large, wall-mounted showerhead or if a detachable hand shower is easier for your kids.
Ask yourself if you prefer round, oval or square-shaped mirrors or if a shaving mirror cupboard could give you that additional storage you might need later on.
If you still love and want to keep your bathtub or upgrade to one that suits a growing family, consider spa features, width, colour and freestanding options to find the most suitable choice for your household.
5. Storage is a vital element in every home
We easily forget where to store boring items like towels and face washers when planning a fancy new bathroom, but it is essential. Most homeowners would agree that there can never be enough storage in any room of your house, so make sure you consider where you plan to keep your shower gel, toothbrushes, extra towels and bath mats.
6. Get expert advice on what works in your home
Do you require a renovation or a makeover with updates to the layout and design of your bathroom? Using an industry approved builder who are members of HIA or MBAV for your bathroom renovation will assist you in not only answering those difficult renovation questions but also understanding all possible underlying costs and opportunities to add value to your home.
You might need to renew plumbing and electrics, or give the bathroom a complete overhaul of tiles and fixtures. Having an expert renovator look at your budget and initial plans will help you make some big decisions and take the pressure off you.
7. Do it yourself or use a renovation specialist?
When attempting to do a job on your own, remember that inexperience can become a potential costly pitfall, especially when things don’t quite work out as planned. Sometimes getting the pros in afterwards to fix a bad DIY job can cost you more than getting it done right in the first place.
If you are less experienced and are looking for a stress-free renovation, we recommend using an award-winning builder with experience in design, renovations and extensions in your area. They also check for any hidden plumbing or wiring issues and recommend the necessary steps to avoid problems later on.
We love to help you create relaxing bathrooms you enjoy
Builders such as Spacemaker Home Extensions in Melbourne can deliver a whole home renovation project with a bathroom to the quality and standards you have always dreamed of, minus the fuss. Their experienced design team will not only integrate your creative ideas but will also show you what is possible within your own home, offering additional concepts suited to your budget.
It is such a thrilling experience to buy a home and make it your own. The process of re-styling and renovating rooms one by one can sound exhausting, but with your design ideas and the right people by your side, the journey will be fun and exciting. Play with colours, choose different layouts, let in more light or try out natural deco–it will give your bathroom a completely new lease on life. For more bathroom inspiration, explore our vast range of tiles and speak with one of our friendly consultants today.
