What to avoid during bathroom upgrades
The bathroom is one of the smallest rooms in the house, so it’s easy to give it less thought than the more visible living spaces. But buyers scrutinise bathrooms closely, and a well-planned one can really lift a sale, so it pays to invest in a facelift if your space is tired and worn out.
One of the easiest and most expensive mistakes to make is starting a bathroom renovation before the design is completely sorted. Bathrooms come down to millimetres, so even shifting a towel rail by half a finger width can cause problems with the wall studs or shower door. Those little decisions made along the way can quickly add to the cost and leave you with a bathroom that doesn’t feel quite right. The best approach is to settle the layout, measurements and finishes before the work begins.
It also helps to think about what you’ll see when you first walk into the room. If you can, tuck the toilet behind a small wall or frosted panel and let the vanity or freestanding bath take centre stage instead. Avoid squeezing the toilet into a tight space or placing it directly in your line of sight. And where possible, avoid having the bathroom open straight onto a living or dining area.
A few other pitfalls to be aware of:
- Anything fiddly to clean, such as tiny tiles with light grout in wet areas, awkwardly placed baths or above-bench basins that trap grime
- Harsh overhead lighting that casts unflattering shadows, when layered ambient, task and accent lighting feels far warmer
- Visual clutter like bulky framed shower screens and open shelving, which quickly looks messy rather than calm
Choosing the right materials is important for the long haul as well. Engineered options like porcelain or sintered stone often suit a busy family bathroom better than natural stone such as marble and limestone, which stain easily and require regular sealing. If you want to use timber in a wet room, keep it away from areas with water, such as basins and baths.
On a budget? You don’t always have to rip everything out and start fresh. Tile repair companies can give quotes to repair tiles, grout and silicon, leaving your bathroom looking like new and resolving problems caused by a constantly damp environment. Add a new shower screen and fresh tapware and you’ll have an instantly more modern space.
Not sure what buyers prefer right now? Your agent can give you some advice.
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