From major plumbing fixtures to extensive moisture management, bathrooms may only be small spaces, but what they lack in size, they make up for in technical considerations - leaving plenty of room for mistakes when renovating! To help you avoid the worst of them, we have put together this handy guide to some of the more common bathroom renovation pitfalls to avoid according to the experts.

1. Poor Planning

Starting any kind of renovation without a clear plan is one of the most common and expensive mistakes people make. Your bathroom reno plan should include accurate measurements, estimated costs and timeframes, individual fixture and fittings research, design elements, the necessary plumbing and electrical work, and detailed drawings (lots of drawings!). It is important to remember this is a plan not only for what you expect the space to look like at the completion of the project but also for how you will go about bringing the project to life! Failing to plan ahead properly can mean running into workflow disruption issues, costly delays, errors in judgment, fittings and fixtures that don’t fit or are placed incorrectly, and many other problems. Planning will help you minimise these risks and reduce the amount of time your bathroom is out of action.

2. Overspending

Failing to set realistic budget expectations is another all too common mistake during bathroom renovations. Being unrealistic about the budget is not going to help, in fact, it will only create more problems. Always do your research and get an accurate idea of costs. Your bathroom budget should include everything from labour to materials, plumbing to electrical and paint to tiling, plus an amount for unexpected occurrences or unforeseen costs. Once your budget is set – stick to it! Do not allow for overruns anywhere unless you compensate for it in other areas. For example, if there is a specific tile you want but it’s more expensive than you budgeted you will have to choose less expensive lighting or plumbing fixtures to make up the difference. Getting detailed quotes from your contractors is a great way to track spending, along with keeping a running spreadsheet of where you are at with costs. It is important not to run out of money on any project otherwise, you can face the problematic situation of getting caught in the middle with no cash left to finish it!

3. Bad Layout

During a bathroom renovation, you are working with a relatively small and confined space, therefore it is vital to get the layout right and make the most of every little bit of room you have available. Sometimes it can be tricky to get everything into the room in a way that makes sense, looks good and works well – all with equal importance. If you focus too much on looks instead of functionality, you can end up sacrificing comfort for luxury, which can easily lead to the room becoming an undesirable place to be. Drawing up a well-considered floor plan and layout can mean the difference between a good bathroom and a great one. Consider things like the placement of the toilet, fixtures and fittings, lighting and electrical plugs and don’t forget to look into complying with building requirements for minimum spacing guidelines. A couple of good examples here are having the toilet right next to the bathtub which may not be the best choice if you are trying to have a relaxing bath, or having bath or shower controls positioned out of reach (without getting wet). Keep drawing your layout up for as long as it takes until you get it right, and always use accurate measurements to ensure placement and fit. Putting in this extra work at the beginning will pay off in the long run and help avoid costly mistakes.

4. Lack Of Ventilation

Generally speaking, bathroom ventilation in NZ includes the use of extractor fans and good old-fashioned windows. The bathroom is the most high-moisture room of the house meaning the humidity levels are high, it is vital to keep on top of this humidity to avoid ongoing issues like mould and mildew growth. Extractor fans are simply a must-have feature in any bathroom for obvious reasons and work great in removing moisture-laden air while the bathroom is in use, but an open window is best for ongoing ventilation, air movement and natural sunlight (which helps dry out and sterilise the air and surfaces). When renovating your bathroom, it is always best to try to aim for a window on an external wall to provide for sunlight and ventilation or if that is not possible then opt for a skylight in the ceiling that allows for natural light.

5. Insufficient Lighting

The wrong lighting or lack of it can have a huge effect on any room and its functionality. Good lighting can add to the feel of the room, making it functional yet comfortable – setting the tone of the room without you even realising it. For bathrooms the best mix is a combination of general ceiling lighting combined with task lighting around the vanity, and depending on your space maybe some feature lighting at the shower or other prominent elements of the room. The key rules to keep in mind for good bathroom lighting is using a range of sources and heights. The biggest mistake most people make with bathroom renovations is leaving the lighting as is. Whether it’s under the illusion of saving money or just because it’s thought that was all that was needed because it worked before, renovating is the perfect time to correct lighting issues. If you are unsure about lighting options for bathrooms or what could be done to make them better, have a chat with your local lighting specialists - they will be happy to help you out!

6. Poor Quality Fittings And Finishes

Not giving enough thought to the quality of fittings and finishes is perhaps most people’s biggest regret when it comes to designing a new bathroom. You might think a tile is just a tile, a tap is just a tap, or a toilet is just a toilet. But when these things fail too soon, require constant fixing or are difficult to keep clean, they can quickly affect how the whole space functions and feels. No one wants to pay for a leaky tap three months after it was installed or have to replace the tiles because they are stained or impossible to keep clean. Poor quality fittings can result in constant and ongoing repairs and adjustments which can really make a dent in the wallet and break your ideal bathroom design. A simple rule to follow is when choosing your bathroom fittings and materials, is always get professional advice and make choices based on functionality, not appearances. Always go for fittings with the highest finish quality that will hold up well to moisture, these will not only last but also add value to your home, too.

7. DIY-Ing A Professional Job

Unless you’re a seasoned bathroom renovator, tradie with relevant skills or a builder, taking on a bathroom reno job alone might be a bad idea. Bathrooms are complicated rooms with a lot going on, there are major waterproofing requirements, electrical, plumbing, tiling, gibing and painting and a multitude of fixtures and fittings all bundled into one tiny room where even the smallest problem can escalate into a big one pretty quickly. The simple fact is, bathroom renovations are just one of those jobs best left to the professionals. This is definitely one of those times where professionals will get it done much quicker than you. These guys know their stuff, they have done this before many many times before and they will be in and out before you’ve had time to miss the use of your bathroom. Plus, you can expect a good level of workmanship and any mistakes will automatically get sorted. This one may seem odd, but using bathroom renovation professionals may actually save you money. This is due to the obvious time benefits, and then there are the trade discounts, but it’s also about getting the various tradies and contractors to do their thing in a timely manner. Professionals have access to a variety of contractors who make themselves available when needed. Have you ever hired a tradie only to have them not turn up ?? Or take way longer on the job than expected? It happens all the time and can cause costly delays.

8. Assuming Bigger Is Better

A common mistake many people make when remodelling their bathroom space is assuming bigger is better. The truth is, for bathrooms in most cases, it’s not. For most people the bathroom is a necessary everyday utility space. It has its purpose, it must be functional, and if it’s easy to clean all the better! Unless you have a growing family, special needs or plan on spending a lot of time in your bathroom it is recommended to prioritise practicality and functionality over the luxury of larger floor space. As long as you have the essentials and can move around without banging into things do you really need all that extra room? Is it just going to mean more cleaning? Could it be best used by adding it to another more used room or by making a separate toilet? Think through your space requirements and design carefully, adding more floor space may not be necessary and it will mean less overall cost.

9. Choosing Style Over Practicality

A significant concern when renovating is the mistake of prioritising appearance over functionality. A classic example here is you may love the idea of an overhead rainfall-style showerhead, they are popular at the moment, they look great and add a touch of luxury to the shower – but they do mean a reduction in water pressure overall when compared to regular shower heads, which might be a problem for people with longer hair or just for those who prefer a bit of oomph in the water when they wash. Plus they are held in a fixed position which means they can’t be used in hand-held mode like most regular shower heads and are not height adjustable. Is this really going to work for your family? Don’t fall into the trap of making yourself learn to love a bathroom that falls short of meeting you and your family’s needs just because it looks impressive. Build a practical bathroom that you’ll love for many years to come, with no regrets!

10. Choosing The Wrong Vanity

Bathrooms are subjected to a lot of everyday use, moisture and temperature changes, the products and materials used in your bathroom need to be able to stand up to these conditions - especially the vanity! The heart of any bathroom, the vanity is the most utilised element and the one thing that can make or break good bathroom design. You use it every day to wash your hands, brush your teeth, store bathroom items, keep your hairbrush and makeup at the ready, for cleaning supplies and much more – the simple vanity provides a necessary functionality like no other. Whether you go for floating/wall hung, free-standing, pedestal, double sink, vessel, or a corner vanity, vitreous china, acrylic or ceramic, word or composite – the vanity is one of the most important decisions you will make. You will be using this vanity every day, and the last thing you want is regrets, you don’t want to get annoyed every time you use it because it just isn’t up to the job or begins to show wear and tear too soon, or is difficult to keep clean. When choosing your vanity the decision includes more than just colour or style, it includes thinking about what it’s made from, where it sits in relation to the other things in the bathroom, accessibility, height and functionality (does it have drawers or cupboards, etc.). Looking for professional advice for your bathroom renovation project? Get in touch with AA Bathrooms today for expert advice and professional service.