A bathroom renovation has the power to transform your daily routine and even boost your home’s value if it’s planned properly. Common bathroom renovation blunders can quickly turn an exciting project into a stressful and expensive ordeal. The secret is designing a space that’s functional, stylish, and built to last. Done well, your bathroom becomes a relaxing daily retreat. Done poorly, it leaves you with costly regrets.
At Essence Designs, we focus on bathroom designs that combine beauty with everyday practicality. Here are eight of the most common blunders homeowners make and how you can avoid them.
1. Underestimating the Actual Cost of Materials
One of the most common mistakes in bathroom renovations is assuming your material costs will stay neatly within your first estimate. The reality? Prices for tile, fixtures, and hardware can vary dramatically. It is easy to underestimate how quickly small upgrades can add to your overall renovation cost.
Tile is a perfect example. Choosing to install tiles on all walls beyond just the shower can add significant expense. Especially if you opt for premium materials on top of the additional labour costs. Even the tile size can make a difference. Larger format tiles often cost more per piece, but fewer grout lines can create a sleeker, more luxurious look. However, they can also result in more tile waste during installation. This is an important factor to consider in your budget and planning. The good news is that you can still create a high-end design without overspending by balancing your choices. If you fall in love with a stunning, veined marble-like tile for the shower walls, you can offset the cost with a simpler, high-quality floor tile. This keeps the shower as the main focal point while keeping your budget in check.
A designer can help you strategically allocate your budget. Spend where it matters most and save in less noticeable areas. This ensures your bathroom feels cohesive without blowing your renovation budget.
2. Don’t Skip the Tile Dry Fit
Tile is often the star of a bathroom, but poor pattern and installation can quickly diminish its impact. Skipping a tile dry fit, laying out tiles before installation, is a common mistake. It can lead to awkward cuts, uneven lines, or unbalanced designs once the tiles are installed.
A tile dry fit lets you see exactly how the tiles will align with walls, corners, and focal points. This allows you to make changes before the tile is installed. This is especially important if you’re using subway tile, patterned tile, or creating a feature wall. As an example, a designer might help you decide whether subway tiles should be stacked, offset by 1/3, or 1/2 to achieve a specific look. If you’re doing a decorative mosaic on the shower floor, the dry fit ensures the pattern is centered and proportioned correctly.
The difference between a rushed install and a thoughtfully planned layout is night and day. much easier to make adjustments before tiles are permanently set.
3. Overlooking Proper Lighting Placement and Controls
Bathroom lighting is about more than just brightness. It creates the right atmosphere. It also ensures the space functions day and night. A common mistake is only using general ceiling lights. This neglects task lighting and adjustable controls.
Every light in a bathroom should be on a dimmer. This is especially helpful when showering late at night or early in the morning. You can set a softer, more relaxing light level to avoid straining your eyes. Add a spotlight above the shower. On a dimmer, it offers brightness when needed and ambiance when not.
Layered lighting is key. Lighting at the vanity should illuminate evenly without casting harsh shadows. Ambient ceiling lighting should brighten the room overall (such as LED strips under a floating vanity or in a niche) can add a spa-like touch.
4. Ignoring Ventilation Needs
Bathrooms are high-moisture environments, and without proper ventilation, you risk mold, mildew, peeling paint, and even long-term structural damage. Many homeowners make the mistake of relying solely on a small window for ventilation or installing an underpowered fan.
The exhaust fan in your bathroom should be properly rated for the room’s square footage and vented directly to the outdoors, not into an attic or crawlspace. According to the Ontario Building Code (OBC), bathroom fans must discharge air outside to prevent moisture buildup, which can cause mold and structural damage. You might also consider a humidity-sensing fan that automatically turns on when moisture levels rise, keeping the air fresh without you having to think about it.
Good ventilation not only protects your bathroom finishes but keeps the space feeling comfortable and fresh after every shower.
5. Poor Storage and Spatial Flow
A beautiful bathroom can quickly feel cluttered if there isn’t enough space to store essentials or if the layout doesn’t flow properly. Depending on the size of the bathroom, it can be challenging to fit adequate storage while maintaining clear circulation. One of the most common renovation regrets is not incorporating enough storage or not planning for the right types of storage to suit daily needs.
Think beyond a basic vanity cabinet. Open shelving, recessed niches in the shower, tall linen towers, and built-in medicine cabinets can all be tailored to your specific needs. Consider what you use daily and store those items within easy reach, while keeping bulkier or less-used items tucked away. Built-in niches in showers should be planned during framing, with heights tall enough to fit standard shampoo and conditioner bottles, not just the typical 12-inch insert.
6. Underestimating Bathroom Space
Many people are surprised by how quickly a bathroom can start to feel cramped when the layout isn’t carefully planned.
Even in a small space, clear access to the sink, shower, and toilet is essential. Pay close attention to door swings and overall circulation, and if the bathroom will be used by more than one person at a time, ensure there’s enough room for movement without disrupting daily routines.
Overlooking clearances around toilets, vanities, and showers can make the space feel uncomfortable, so while it’s important to meet code minimums, adding just a few extra inches can make a big difference in comfort and usability.
7. Choosing Style Over Function
It’s tempting to select fixtures and finishes purely for their looks, but in a bathroom where water, steam, and frequent cleaning are realities, durability and function should come first.
As an example, matte black fixtures can look beautiful but may require more frequent cleaning to prevent water spots. Certain natural stones can be stunning but might be more porous, requiring ongoing sealing. A professional designer can help you find materials that achieve your desired aesthetic while standing up to daily use.
A bathroom is one of the most-used spaces in your home, so every design decision should balance beauty with practicality.
8. Forgetting About Future Needs
A bathroom renovation is an investment you want to last for years. One mistake is designing only for your current needs without thinking about how they might change.
If this is your forever home, consider universal design principles such as wider doorways, curb-free showers, or reinforcement in walls for future grab bar installation, even if you don’t need them right now.
These thoughtful touches can make the space safer, more comfortable, and more appealing for resale.
Renovate Without Regret
Avoiding these bathroom renovation blunders will save you time, money, and stress, giving you a bathroom that’s as functional as it is beautiful. If you’re planning a renovation, Essence Designs can help you make smart decisions from the start. Contact us today to book a consultation and start designing the bathroom of your dreams
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