Top 5 Bathroom Renovation Mistakes You Must Avoid
Discover the most common bathroom remodeling pitfalls, from poor lighting to insufficient storage, and learn how to prevent them in your next project.
Renovating a bathroom is a significant investment. However, even small miscalculations can lead to major inconveniences down the line. Here are five common bathroom renovation mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Underestimating Storage Needs
One of the most frequent errors is prioritizing aesthetics over functionality, leading to a severe lack of storage space for daily essentials.
How to avoid it: Plan your storage in advance. Consider adding a spacious floating vanity, recessed wall niches in the shower area, and mirrored cabinets. Floating vanities not only provide ample storage but also make the floor visible, which visually enlarges the room.
2. Inadequate or Harsh Lighting
A single overhead light is usually not enough for a bathroom. It creates harsh shadows and makes tasks like shaving or applying makeup difficult.
Important. A layered lighting scheme is usually the best approach for bathrooms: ambient (general), task (around the mirror), and accent (for atmosphere).
How to avoid it: Install soft LED strips around or behind the mirror to provide even, shadow-free lighting. Use moisture-protected fixtures and choose the IP rating based on the installation zone: IP44 is often used for splash zones, while direct water-exposure zones require higher protection.
3. Ignoring Proper Ventilation
Poor ventilation leads to a buildup of moisture, which inevitably causes mold, peeling paint, and damaged woodwork.
How to avoid it: Invest in a high-quality, quiet exhaust fan. It is best to wire it to a separate switch or use a model with a built-in humidity sensor so it runs automatically when needed.
4. Wrong Choice of Materials
Using materials that are not suitable for high-humidity environments will quickly ruin the look of your newly renovated bathroom. For instance, using regular drywall instead of moisture-resistant drywall in wet zones.
How to avoid it: Porcelain tile is often preferred for floors because of its low water absorption and high durability. For walls, ceramic tiles or high-quality water-resistant paint are excellent choices. In direct water-contact areas like showers, epoxy grout is usually more durable, though it is more expensive and harder to apply.
5. Overlooking the Layout and Ergonomics
Placing the toilet right opposite the door or not leaving enough clearance around fixtures can make a bathroom feel cramped and awkward.
How to avoid it: Respect standard ergonomic clearances: leave at least 70 cm of clear space in front of the toilet and sink. If space is tight, reconsider the layout or replace a bulky bathtub with a spacious shower area.