Things I wish I’d known before I started my bathroom renovation
Learn from the experiences (and the mistakes) of people who have been there, done that.
Although it’s usually the smallest room in the house, it is a notoriously difficult room to get right. Maybe it’s because there can be so many suppliers and specialists skills that are involved: the tiles, the sanitary ware, taps and tubs; the plumber, the tiler the electrician et al. The fact is, one all of these elements have been added in, it’s pretty difficult (and expensive) to change them. You want to do it once and do it well. So take your time and do your research. And have a read of the advice gathered from House & Garden insiders and friends – things they’d wish they known, what they learned along the way, and the mistakes they made which they want you to learn from. I’ll go fist…
David Nicholls –
It was a mistake to get rid of the bathtub. My bathroom is pretty teeny so my idea was to sacrifice the small tub in favor of a larger shower. It would feel more spacious, I thought. It would feel more modern. Who needs a bath, anyway? It turns out that I do, around three or four times a year: maybe once with glass of wine and a book, definitely when I’m feeling poorly and sorry for myself, and also on those damp, cold winter days when the only way of getting the chill out of your bones is to have a bath. But no, I have a shower. It’s a great shower, don’t get me wrong. But it ain’t a bath.
Rose Washbourn –
Heated towel rails are a must, and if possible, install one that can be operated independently from the heating system (ie electric) so you can turn it on for short bursts during the summer to avoid horrible damp towels. And make sure it’s positioned high up enough on the wall so that the lower rungs are actually usable. Dark tiles might seem atmospheric and chic, but they really show limescale! If you have the space, have a walk-in shower with a large shower screen to avoid the problems that come with doors – leaking, dodgy sealant, failing hinges…
Davey Hunter Jones –
I wish I’d known that antique and reclaimed pieces are a nightmare to find parts for – you need a good plumber who’s willing to do the legwork in order to make it work. But if you are working with older pieces, it’s worth doing some research first to make sure you have all the parts you need – however be warned, plumbing can be incredibly confusing. Shower curtains (if you don’t have an alternative) don’t have to be plastic. Linen is fast drying and is naturally anti-mould, so it’s great alternative to horrible plastic curtain liners. Just make sure it sits just below the top of the bath Material conjunctions are very important – consider where and how different materials meet – in bathrooms you’ll be using far more different types of material than you would in other rooms so it’s important that these conjunctions are smooth and purposeful. Match the natural mood of the space, if your bathroom doesn’t have much natural light, consider a darker, more atmospheric scheme. If your bathroom has lots of natural light, play with lighter and brighter colors.
It was a mistake to get rid of the bathtub. My bathroom is pretty teeny so my idea was to sacrifice the small tub in favor of a larger shower.
It doesn’t seem like there would be much to do in a hallway, right?