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Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
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Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

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Five fixes under $500 to transform your bathroom

Five fixes under $500 to transform your bathroom

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Country classic: a low cost bathroom renovation

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Four new bathroom trends for 2020

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Three ways to keep your bathroom renovation costs down

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How much does a bathroom renovation cost?

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The bathroom trends predicted to take over in 2020

The ‘70s bathroom trend that’s making a big comeback

The ‘70s bathroom trend that’s making a big comeback

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ALDI has all your bathroom renovation needs

ALDI has all your bathroom renovation needs

Incredible bathroom before & after renovation: from 70s sauna to classic chic

Incredible bathroom before & after renovation: from 70s sauna to classic chic

5 tips that will help you save time and money when renovating your bathroom

5 tips that will help you save time and money when renovating your bathroom

3 clues it’s time for a new bathroom

3 clues it’s time for a new bathroom

The 3 bathroom trends we’re all jumping on for 2019

The 3 bathroom trends we’re all jumping on for 2019

5 Things that make your bathroom look cheap

5 Things that make your bathroom look cheap

The latest in modern bathroom designs to add luxe on a budget

The latest in modern bathroom designs to add luxe on a budget

  1. Home
  2. Bathroom

What you need to know before you start your bathroom reno

Bathrooms can be one of the most rewarding rooms to renovate and decorate in your home - and the most challenging - by Diana Moore
  • 04 Dec 2017
What you need to know before you start your bathroom reno
Patrick McGrath

Whether your choices involve style or functionality, many of the decisions you make when renovating a bathroom can not only be costly to change, but have a knock-on effect. Here’s what you need to know before you take the plunge.

1. Set a budget

Costs can spiral in this room and you need to be clear and firm about just how much you can spend on one space. Working within a budget helps to make decisions, not only about fixtures and fittings, but the many and varied labour costs involved, from tiling and plumbing to waterproofing and specialty trades. Be sure to add in a little extra for unexpected problems.

2. Don’t overcapitalise

Consider the value of your property before you extend your budget beyond it’s worth, particularly if you are planning to sell the property in the foreseeable future. Ensure your outlay can be recouped down the line.

3. Moving fixtures adds to your costs

If the layout works well and you’re just after a cosmetic upgrade, you can make significant savings by simply replacing fixtures such as your bath, sink, toilet and shower in their existing position. A frameless shower glass or a double vanity goes a long way to upping the visual appeal and functionality without a complete refit.

4. Plan for the future

If you have a family, remember the requirements for the bathroom will change over time. Evenings may revolve around bath time at first, so floor space might be your major consideration, but down the track adequate vanity storage and power points will come into their own.

5. Organise project timing

Perhaps more than any other room in the house, renovating a bathroom requires a specific sequence of works to be performed and managed around one another. Start from the ceiling down with the build, choose experienced tradespeople and share details of the works timeline across all parties.

Bathroom renovation checklist | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Simon Whitbread

6. Create a moodboard

Bring all of your ideas together onto one moodboard to stay organised and ensure everything works well aesthetically. Refer often to it and update with new items as you confirm choices.

7. Measure, measure and measure again

In a bathroom everything is fixed in place. Measure every item within the space and mark out fixtures on the floor or in another location to ensure fixture fit as they should and the layout works. Remember to allow for plumbing, whether in cavities, on walls or freestanding.

8. Shop around

Once you’ve decided on a range of fixtures and tapware, shop around to get the best price. Bathroom stores and plumbing suppliers will often offer a discount if all items are purchased in the one place.

9. See for yourself

When browsing showrooms don’t be afraid to collect your fixtures and finishes together to see how they look in real life. Lay the tile pattern with samples, take your taps to the tile shop or take samples home to see them in the light they’ll be placed in.

10. Lighting and power

Carefully plan your lighting and power with a qualified electrician to ensure you have safe, adequate lighting personal care, proper ventilation and plenty of power points and/or wiring for heated towel rails.

Click here for inspiration.

  • Bathroom
  • Renovate
Diana Moore
Diana Moore
Content expert, florist and interior decorator Diana Moore has been passionate about helping others make the perfect home ever since she moved into her own. From styling her local bar to feel like your best friend’s lounge room, to randomly restyling people’s bookshelves, Diana is a firm believer in making the best of what you have in front of you.

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