Mistakes Everyone Makes When Renovating A Bathroom

Whether you plan to or not, you probably spend a lot of time in your bathroom. From rushing to get ready in the morning to washing your day off at night, bathrooms see a lot of action throughout the day. Unfortunately, not every bathroom is designed to provide the most optimal experience. Your bathroom may be too small, poorly constructed, or simply in need of updating.

If that's the case, you're probably set on a bathroom remodel to create a more pleasant space to get ready or relax. According to Angi, the average bath remodel can range from $6,152 to $15,246. That's a lot of money to spend on a room that can fall victim to many remodeling mistakes. Staying on budget is one of the biggest issues for any kind of home remodel, but bathrooms are tricky when it comes to unexpected expenses. If you aren't careful about avoiding these common renovating mistakes, you may be paying a lot more than you planned.

If you're planning a total renovation of your bathroom and not only a cosmetic remodel, then you have to consider the layout. Think of how your previous bathroom functioned for you. What worked and what didn't work? Blindly returning your bathroom to the original layout without considering alternatives is a huge renovation mistake. 

Northern Virginia renovation company NV Kitchen and Bath says you shouldn't focus solely on the aesthetics but also the function of the room because comfort should come before luxury. Plan your layout to prevent clutter and improper spacing in your bathroom.

When planning your layout, you should also give your bathroom adequate storage. This is another mistake of focusing on aesthetics more than function. A bathroom can be absolutely beautiful, spa-like, and relaxing in every way, but if there isn't a place to keep towels, soap, and cleaning supplies, how functional is it really? 

Consider what you use your bathroom for to guide you in making storage decisions. Blogger and interior designer Jillian Lare tells clients to consider everything they need to store, from beauty products to toilet paper, and to know what items they use on a daily basis.

Setting a budget for your remodel and sticking to it should be the goal. But that's often easier said than done. Bathrooms can often have unexpected costs like issues with the plumbing or mold behind the walls that can throw a wrench into even the most carefully crafted budgets. 

Working with an expert dedicated to keeping you on budget can be a solution, says Smarter Bathrooms. An experienced general contractor can ensure that everything you choose, from materials to fixtures, keeps you under budget. It's also a good idea to have contingency money set aside for any unforeseen issues.

How steamy is your bathroom when you get out of a shower? While a nice, hot shower can be a great way to end the day, humidity hanging around can actually be bad for your bathroom. 

Fletcher's Plumbing advises having a ventilation fan that's up to code in all bathrooms. The ventilation should draw moist air out of the bathroom to keep the room from getting too damp. Excess moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth in your bathroom. Be sure that the vent leads to the exterior of the home, not to an attic or crawl space.

No one wants to fumble around a dark bathroom, so create a lighting plan before starting a remodel. Light the room in layers so you can add and take away lighting as need be. Be sure that the professionals you're working with are up to date with safety codes. 

According to S & W Kitchens, the National Fire Protection Association writes the National Electric Code that lays out how far from a bathtub fixtures need to be and where the placement of circuits can be. It's best to factor this into the design before starting the renovation.