Do’s and Don’ts of Your Bathroom Reno

Bathroom renovations, when done right are a good way to increase the value of your home. However, in my many years as a contractor, I’ve seen a lot of shoddy bathroom reno projects. And I’m not just talking about DIY jobs. I’m talking about contractors who call themselves professionals come in and create a disaster.

Do you remember The Half Done House episode in Holmes + Holmes? The contractor did some really bizarre stuff to the bathroom. He told the homeowners that the waterproofing doesn’t need to go all the way to the ceiling because “water doesn’t go there”, the tiles were installed incorrectly and the ventilation exhausted into the attic! 

This is why if you are tackling a bathroom reno I want you to do it right the first time. Here are your do’s and don’ts when it comes to a bathroom remodel.

DO invest in in-floor heating

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Who loves cold feet? Certainly not me. Here is why in-floor heating is a wise decision:

• walking on a warm floor (especially in winter) provides comfort and feels great 
• systems are programmable so you can set it to the perfect temperature 
• newer systems can now be controlled from your mobile device (you can set your floors to be nice and toasty for your arrival home!)
• systems are energy efficient which means lower energy bills and cost savings
• heating systems can be installed only in areas that require heating (it’s pointless to put heating systems under your vanity)  

Most of you know my family loves Schluter system products. When installed properly, they provide superior performance and are well worth the investment. Schluter has several in-floor heating options available, and their website has a tremendous amount of information and resources.

DITRA-HEAT is the only electric floor warming system that directly incorporates uncoupling technology to ensure that floors aren’t susceptible to cracked tiles and grout.

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DO upgrade your bathroom vanity

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Vanities are a big plus for adding extra storage space and for all our grooming products. I honestly think Blake has more hair products than I do! Plus, with Cali’s needs, we need the room. 

There are so many options for vanities: single sink, double sinks that include cupboards and drawers, or even wall mount vanities—all providing different storage options so you can get the most out of your space.

 

DO waterproof your bathroom

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We always talk about the importance of waterproofing your bathroom. A reliable waterproofing system (and I am not talking about your drywall) will ensure that moisture isn’t penetrating your walls or floors.

If you find you have a musty smell in your bathroom, that could be an indication that you have mold. Mold is not toxic but it can exacerbate allergies and asthma. 

There are many options available, but we do trust the Schluter systems to protect our renovations from mold and mildew damage.

DO budget for the unexpected

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If you have an older home, it’s probably best that you budget for some surprises! Improper ventilation and hidden water damage could amount to some extra work, so it’s always good to have a 10-15% cushion in your budget, just in case. If you don’t use it, then it can go back into savings or for another project.

 

DO upgrade for the future

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It just makes sense to consider the future when you are doing a renovation. As we age, our priorities change, but we also want to stay in our homes for as long as possible. So, if you have more than one bathroom, I suggest installing a curbless shower with a bench and possible recess niche or shelving on the main level of your home.

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Being prepared and creating a bathroom that provides accessibility for the future is a smart idea. Also, remember to talk to your contractor or designer about adding blocking for extra support bars. You may not need them now or want to install them, but planning and being prepared will save money in the long run.

DO keep a bathtub

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Now, I do love a nice shower, but if you have multiple bathrooms in your home, I recommend keeping at least one bathtub in one of the bathrooms. A tub is something families with young kids look for, and you want to make your house have as many pluses as possible when you go to sell your home. If you are going to replace your bathtub with a newer version, there are plenty of styles available.

Large open concept bathroom by Timberblock

DO consider eco-friendly products

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If you are going through the trouble of renovating your bathroom, you should consider swapping out your old toilet and facets. Many eco-friendly products provide significant water efficiency and cost savings, like low-flow toilets that use far less water than the older models. Updated shower faucets also can provide substantial water savings, and if you have a family that loves taking showers, this could make a massive difference to your water bills.

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DO consider adding more storage

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I’ve already mentioned a vanity, but don’t forget about floating countertop drawers, built-in shelving or cupboards. I think storage is key to any bathroom, especially with a growing family. You can never have too much space to store things.

 

DO consider hiding the toilet

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If you have the space, consider hiding the toilet with a knee or full wall. This allows for more privacy, especially when you have multiple people sharing the same bathroom and can also keep the bacteria created separate from the rest of the room.

Don’t put tile over tile ever!

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Always remove the existing tile and inspect the underlay and subfloor. Make sure the floor is even too! If it’s not you can use a self leveler like Sika Level – a self-leveling compound. A well-prepped underlay and even floor will prevent cracking, dips and even squeaks in your bathroom floor ensuring your floor will last a long time.

TIP: My top pick for tiles is porcelain. It’s extremely durable and has a very low moisture absorption tendency. Plus, the options are endless when it comes to look – tiles mimic wood, marble, granite anything really. Porcelain tiles are a great option for floors and walls. You can even get porcelain slabs, which provide a seamless, no grout-line finish. 

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Don’t install hardwood flooring

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Hardwood flooring is not a good choice for high moisture areas. We love installing porcelain tile in bathroom projects. It’s a stronger tile extremely durable and has a very low moisture absorption tendency (good for high moisture areas). However, if you really love the look of wood, porcelain tiles are now designed to mimic a variety of wood finishes.

Don’t use hardwood in your bathroom, instead use tile that mimics a wood feel. Bathroom by Rinaldi Homes.

Don’t forget to consider the main function of the bathroom

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Remember to think about the primary use of the bathroom you are renovating. A master bathroom or shared bathroom will have a different function than a downstairs bathroom or even a basement bathroom. The design and function should provide you with the maximum benefits. If you feel overwhelmed, consulting with an interior designer can give you the help you need.

Don’t break the bank on hardware

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Don’t go overboard on your bathroom hardware. Of course, you want something that’s good quality and durable but you don’t have to break the bank. There are many different styles, colors and finishes in all price ranges to choose from. I would recommend going with something classic however, hardware is an item you can easily change up to give your bathroom a whole need look. 

Schlage provides a wide range of hardware, including door levers, knobs and entry door locks.

Don’t forget about ventilation

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A lot of older homes have inadequate ventilation that can lead to mold and mildew. So, now is the time to correct this with proper ventilation. Having a high quality, powerful exhaust fan in your bathroom is vital. I don’t think homeowners realize how much moisture is created in a bathroom from all those hot showers. That moisture needs to be correctly extracted from the space, and yes, an open window helps, but the installation of an exhaust fan is a much better option. And finally, make sure the exhaust is venting to the outside of your home and not your attic space! A build up of moisture and the damage that results can destroy a homes structure.

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Don’t forget about adequate lighting

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It’s very annoying to use a bathroom that has insufficient lighting! You must have adequate lighting for things like shaving, putting on make-up, and tending to those nasty cuts and first aid moments. Plus, lighting provides an ambiance as well as function and there are many styles of fixtures available. 

Recessed lighting is a great option for a bathroom especially in the shower area (just make sure they are rated for use in a wet zone and are good quality). A bathroom should really have multiple light sources, meaning you can have an overhead light, wall sconces flanking your mirror and vanity light above or consider a combination for the best overall lighting. 

Hanging pendant lighting and pot lights provide function and ambiance to this bathroom by Duvanco Homes.

WANT MORE IDEAS? CHECK OUT:

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