Daily Deals from a Nerd Mom

As your bathroom is such a functional space, it’s important to avoid some of the most common pitfalls. If you don’t then you may find that you end up with poor planning, bad plumbing or simply using the wrong materials. Luckily, all of this can be avoided, and if you follow this guide, you will see an improvement in no time at all.

Poor Space Planning 

Awkward door swings and not having enough clearance around bathroom fixtures will make your space feel both cramped and inconvenient. A bathroom should look good, but at the same time, you should not overlook how functionality is important. When it comes to your bathroom, things like space planning really is critical. Where inches matter, planning will make a huge difference. If you want to help yourself here then you need to start out with a solid layout. You need to work with a professional, whether it’s a designer or contractor, and work to optimize the flow of your space. You also need to make sure that everything is optimized for both comfort and efficiency, so you can get the overall result you need.

Ignoring Ventilation

One major mistake is not accounting for ventilation. Bathrooms are high-moisture environments and having enough ventilation is so important. Poor ventilation can lead to issues like mold growth, paint, and even structural damage. It’s also important to avoid this issue by taking the time to install quality bathroom exhaust fans. You need to do this according to the size of the room if possible, because this will help you to position the fan properly. 

Managing Water

Airborne water can be removed with an exhaust fan a lot of the time. Bathrooms have a lot of water coming in from other sources too, including tubs, showers, and sinks. You also have to account for condensation that comes from the toilet tank as well as condensation on the walls. If you don’t take the time to address things like waterproofing properly then this can lead to major issues such as mold, mildew, and even water damage. A lot of homeowners assume that drywall is good enough but if you cut corners then you will have a huge issue on your hands. The solution here would be for you to try and make sure that you invest in high-quality waterproofing membranes. You should also take note of this in the shower tub area. This is not an expensive upgrade, but it will make a monumental difference to your home, and it will also go a long way when it comes to long-term durability.

Plumbing

While you can always move plumbing around, you should think long and hard about whether you actually need to. A shower remodel can cost thousands but if you move your shower then you may find that you double the price. Moving your shower is where most of your money will go, but you should find that it is possible for you to work around this if you simply take the time to assess what you have and whether you really need to. If you can do this then you should see a substantial improvement overall.

Ignoring Functionality

There are a lot of homeowners who steer toward stylish trends and details without actually considering whether they function on a daily basis. It’s important to avoid this renovation mistake by taking the time to listen to your contractor and your designer. Work with them to create a layout that takes things like lighting as well as storage into consideration. You should also take note of where the plumbing lines go, and make sure that you document the electrical outlets you have. If you can do this then you should see a major improvement in your bathroom design.

Falling for Trends

The last thing you want to do is fall for the latest trends. Bathrooms are expensive, but with that said, you do need to make sure that it is able to stand the test of time. If you try and invest your time and energy into capturing the latest trends then there’s a good chance that by the time you are finished, it is going to be dated. Regardless of what the trend is, you need to make sure that you stay clear of it. Go with a timeless design and element, such as a neutral color or a premium floor tile. If you can do this then you’re bound to get a better result overall.

Ignoring Storage

Treating bathroom storage as if it is an afterthought is another major mistake. Bathrooms have very limited space at the end of the day, so you need to make sure that you aren’t overlooking creative options that could make a major difference to your home. Consider having shelving above the toilet and having some plastic containers that you can label clearly. You might also want to consider having a tiered organizer, and a ladder that you can use to display towels. Things like this can make a monumental difference to your home, and you would be surprised at what a difference it could make.

Not Thinking about Humidity

When choosing things for your bathroom, you should also give thought to things like humidity, and how things are going to hold up overall. Installing a wooden bathroom vanity or even installing porous stone can stain and this is the last thing you need. If you want to install a wood vanity then you have to make sure you seal it properly. You also need to make sure that you install a water-resistant material as this is suited to a high moisture environment. Ceramic tile is great here, but at the same time, you should look into low-maintenance options as this will make a huge difference overall.

So as you can see, it’s very easy for you to avoid making bathroom renovation mistakes, but you do need to make sure that you plan ahead and account for as much as possible along the way.

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