Whether you want to give your bathroom a whole new look, or you're just looking to fix a few things, a bathroom renovation can get tiring and confusing. If you make a crucial mistake, you might end up spending a lot of money to fix those mistakes. But, not to worry, we're here to help. We've compiled a list of 7 common mistakes to avoid when renovating your bathroom for the process to go as smoothly and cheap as possible.

 

1. Forgetting to devise a plan

Devising a plan for the renovation of the bathroom will help your contractors or the people who are helping you out get a clear idea of the process. This is probably the most important thing to remember before starting any home project, and it's also the one people tend to overlook but shouldn't. If you plan beforehand, you consider the renovation's cost, your personal taste and what you want the bathroom to look like, measurements, tools, etc.

 

2. Problems with spacing

When renovating our bathroom, we may get so caught up in its aesthetic that we might not even consider the functionality of the spacing. As much fun as the decorating part is, you need to maximize your bathroom space. You can achieve that by creating a plan first, and while you're moving plumbing fixtures, make sure that you can still comfortably use the appliances and that there's enough space for them. For example, you need to have enough space on your bathroom cabinets for cleaning products such as your laundry detergent, bleach, toilet cleaner, etc. or else you'll end up stuffing them in unsuitable cabinets outside your bathroom.

 

3. Go overbudget

When we're renovating, we're constantly looking for the newer, better thing, which usually means more expensive. However, one important thing to consider before renovating your bathroom is your budget. Try to plan and spend on what you can afford, otherwise you'll be going way over budget and cutting some corners, which will inevitably lead to an unsatisfying result. You may also want to set aside an extra 20 percent for additional last-minute costs.

 

4. Picking the wrong materials

Sometimes, what looks good isn't always what works best. This is the case with materials used to renovate your bathroom. We know that bathrooms are a place of constant moisture, steam, and temperature changes, which means you're going to have to choose the right materials to endure these conditions. So before spending a lot of money on renovating materials, first ensure that the vanity, walls, and floor are suitable for your bathroom.

 

5. Overlooking the bathroom fan

As mentioned before, moisture and humidity are a constant in all bathrooms, and if you don't let them out, your bathroom will become the perfect host for mildew and mold. One way you can avoid this is by installing an exhaust fan that will relieve the air outside. If you've already got one, make sure that during renovation, you clean out the filter from any dust and debris so it can keep on working smoothly.

 

6. Ignoring small mistakes

Patience is a virtue, and it's most definitely crucial when renovating a bathroom. As you install and re-attach things, you might slip up and make small mistakes that you just want to ignore but shouldn't. It might seem small for now, but it might cost you problems later, and then you'll have to start all over again. Even if the mistake does not affect the bathroom's functionality, it might ruin the aesthetic and hard work you've put into the renovation. So take your time and fix any mistakes, however small they may be, along the way.

 

7. Rushing to get things done

The most exciting part of a home project is the long-awaited dazzling result. Sometimes, we might even want to rush the renovation process to get there. But in doing so, we risk losing our focus and motivation towards the end, which could result in an unsatisfying and rushed finished product. In order to avoid this, we suggest moving at a steady pace from the beginning and an even slower, more focused one towards the end. That's because the finishing touches can sometimes make or break a project, and we certainly don't want to have very little energy and patience towards the end. Slow and steady wins the race!

 

Final Thoughts

Starting any home renovation project can get both exciting and stressful. Oftentimes we might only focus on the things we should do, and we forget about the mistakes to avoid that can save us a lot of time and money in the long run. Make sure to check all of the things we mentioned above for a smoother, more efficient bathroom renovation.