9 Mistakes to Avoid When Renovating a Bathroom, Experts Say

Renovating a bathroom is no small project, and you’ll want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible before you begin the process. To ensure you’re as happy as possible with the results, be sure to avoid these nine common bathroom remodeling mistakes that professionals often make.

Not Considering Real Life Options

Before deciding on paint colors, materials, and more, make sure you test them out in person.

“Design and finish choices can often look different in drawings than in reality,” says Carlos Nyce, interior designer at TriVistaUSA.

Nyce explains how colors, textures, and proportions will look slightly different on screen or in print than they do in person. Ordering samples in advance will pay off in the long run.

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Choosing a design that is too trendy

You’ll want to make sure your bathroom design will please you in the long run, and one way to do that is to avoid going too trendy, says Nyce.

“Rather than following trends, consider the mood you want to achieve with your interior design elements,” he says. “Texture, scale, color, and lighting can all significantly influence the atmosphere of a space.”

Not Assessing Your Lighting Needs

Choosing the right bathroom lighting is an important component of any renovation, especially when you want a spa-like atmosphere, says Kara Kersten, founder of Kara Kersten Design.

Kersten explains how lighting can help you achieve a spa-like feel. “It’s important to use dimmer switches, accent lighting that’s turned on separately from overhead lighting to set the mood, and incorporating soft, indirect lighting that’s not harsh,” Kersten says.

Kersten recommends choosing a lamp with a frosted or glass shade so you don’t have to look directly at the bulb while getting ready.

Forgot to Add Main Power Outlet

To make your bathroom as efficient as possible, ample electrical outlets are key. One mistake is forgetting to install them in drawers where you’ll store household items, like hair tools and electric toothbrushes, Kersten notes.

Not thinking long term

You’ll want to design your bathroom to accommodate your aging in place.

It’s important to consider accessibility if you plan on staying in your home for a while. Mary Gordon, vice president of InSite Builders & Remodeling, suggests considering valuable features like grab bars, non-slip flooring, and step-in showers that will make your bathroom safer now and in the future.

Lack of storage space

In the bathroom, you’ll need plenty of space to store toiletries, beauty products, hair tools, and more, so proper storage is essential. Gordon explains that a lack of storage can make a bathroom feel cluttered and disorganized.

Choosing the wrong type of floor tiles

Kersten shares that in environments where the floors are frequently wet, slippery floor tiles are a no-no, even though they are often easier to clean.

“Make sure the tile you choose for your floor has a soft or slightly textured finish,” says Kersten. “You don’t want glossy tile on your floor when you step out of the shower with wet feet.”

Not installing a full shower system

If you don’t take the plunge and do this now, you may regret it later, says Andrea Seymour, co-founder of Springdale Custom Builders. Depending on your budget, a shower system may not be feasible. However, Seymour recommends installing a system with handles, especially for master bathrooms.

Forget to Update the Height of Electrical Equipment and Plumbing

If you’re planning on renovating your bathroom, you might as well make sweeping changes, Seymour explains.

“You usually only renovate one part of your home once, maybe twice, when you consider a full renovation,” she says. To that end, don’t be afraid to move around and adjust the height of electrical fixtures and plumbing fixtures in your bathroom.

“Many bathrooms in the ’80s and ’90s were designed and built with very low fixtures,” says Seymour. “A remodel is an opportunity to fix those items.”

Look at showerheads, light fixtures, vanity mirrors, etc. When it comes to bathroom niches and corners, don’t leave tile edges exposed, Kersten warns.