5 Questions To Ask Before A Bathroom Refit

If you have decided to refurbish your bathroom, you will probably be faced with a lot of decisions. After all, a family bathroom has some pretty heavy duty lifting to do! It will no doubt be used several times a day, and it is also likely to be one of the smallest rooms in the house. 

You will want the bathroom to be durable and functional, but also an attractive and relaxing environment to enjoy a nice soak in the bath at the end of a long day. It’s a tough brief, and to get the best results, it is important to ask the right questions before you begin. Here are some points to think about. 

What is your budget?

The cost of installing a new bathroom can range from £2,000 to £8,000, depending on the size and the quality of the materials used. If you don’t have the budget for a full refit, you could still focus on changing something, such as removing the bath and having a new shower cubicle installed, or installing underfloor heating, or replacing tired tiles. 

Who will be using the bathroom?

Consider who will use the bathroom, and how often. If it’s just for an ensuite master bedroom, you can indulge those spa bathroom fantasies as much as you like! A stylish roll top bath, or a power shower and wet room might be perfect choices.

However, if it’s a family bathroom, you will need to consider practicalities such as an accessible bathtub that allows you to get the kids bathed without trouble, and plenty of storage space for extra towels, nappies, and toiletries. If there are older people in the house, would they need a walk-in shower, with grab rails, or a bench to sit down on? 

How much space do you have?

Bathrooms are often small or awkward spaces. Before committing to a complete change in the layout of the bathroom, remember that the building regulations and plumbing arrangements may prevent any drastic changes.  

Electrical appliances need to be a certain distance from water fittings, for example. Moving the position of the toilet or wash basin may not be possible without some extensive plumbing work, which will significantly add to the cost of your bathroom remodel.

If you need to save space, consider installing wall hung toilets and basins instead of traditional pedestal mounted ones. Another common compromise is to have a shower installed over the bath. If there is space, you could opt for a L shaped bath which has extra space for showering at one end.

What material is best for the flooring and walls?

Your bathroom will spend a good deal of time in a warm humid state, in which mould and mildew will thrive if they have the chance. Therefore, you want to choose materials that are reasonably moisture and mould resistant. 

Traditionally, ceramic or porcelain tiles have been the number one choice for walls, as they are water resistant and durable, as well as being easy to maintain. However, with the advancement of waterproof vinyl coated wallpapers, there is a growing trend to wallpaper the bathroom.

This gives you a lot more freedom and flexibility over the colour and design, and it is easy to change if you want a new look at a later date. If you are on a limited budget, some special bathroom paint with mould-killing ingredients will also work well.

For flooring, ceramic and smooth stone tiles have the drawback of being slippery when wet, so it is advisable to use non-slip mats when getting out of the bath or shower.

If elderly people or children are going to be using the bathroom, then high quality vinyl flooring might be the best solution. Modern luxury vinyl tiles (LVTs) can easily look like more expensive materials such as wood or natural stone at first glance, and it feels much softer underfoot, and is very easy to keep clean.

What about storage?

Finally, storage space is important in a family bathroom. Built-in cabinets below the basin are a popular solution, and it also provides you with a countertop to place toiletries and small decorative items on. If space is at a premium, make use of the walls by fitting shallow shelves and cabinets.

Even shelves above the bathroom door can make excellent storage space for towels. Adding an extra shower rail can also create space for you to hang towels to dry, or hang clothes and bath robes.