According to Phil Spencer, ‘a skillfully revamped’ bathroom can give a substantial boost to the value of your home. However, bathroom renovations are one redevelopment where it’s wise to seek professional help, and it’s important that you avoid cutting corners to eliminate the risk of future plumbing disasters.
Function comes first
When it comes to bathroom renovations, functionality is the key and should be the basis of any design decisions. Tempting as it may be to splash out on elaborate tiling or that freestanding bathtub you’ve always wanted, first you need to work out how your budget will cover the essentials and any repairs you may need to make.
Existing issues to be aware of before you begin renovations are water damage, structural deficiencies in flooring, corroded or damaged old plumbing and non-waterproof tile surrounds. Unless you have plumbing experience yourself, it’s best to seek advice from a professional and consider a ‘full-gut’ before your renovations begin. There is nothing worse than completing your bathroom renovation, only to find water damage re-emerging a few weeks later.
Frequently overlooked, other key points to bear in mind include ensuring the bathroom has sufficient ventilation (this will reduce your chances of mould) and taking time to think through your measurements. As most bathrooms are fairly small, you want to achieve an efficient use of space to avoid overcrowding.
Tiling tips
Tasteful bathroom tiling can make a huge difference to the overall finish of your bathroom—not to mention its effectiveness at protecting against water damage—but it can also be expensive. Phil advises mixing more expensive tiles with some that are lower priced, and he believes that ‘if you choose the right tiles, no one will be able to tell the difference’.
There are plenty of options when it comes to finding good quality tiles, but retailers such as Topps Tiles or Homebase stock an impressive selection that won’t break the bank and can act as your base tiles if you do decide to use a mixture of higher and lower end designs.
Beware of tiling over plumbing you may one day need to access. Make sure you can get to your pipes if something goes wrong in the future.
A statement sink
According to Phil, the hand basin is the heart of a stylish bathroom. ‘I reckon a loo is a loo and a bath is a bath but the hand basin is what sets the tone. There are some great ones available now from a few hundred pounds upwards that make quite a statement and lift a whole bathroom.’
Your first decision will be between a freestanding or wall-mounted hand basin, and a vanity cabinet basin. A freestanding or wall mounted unit can look sleeker and create the illusion of space, but equally there is plenty to be said for the extra storage and surface area provided by a vanity cabinet. If you decide not to have cupboard space as part of your basin unit, make sure there is plenty of room for separate storage space elsewhere in the bathroom to avoid surface clutter.
It’s all in the detail
Even if you can only afford the most basic of bathroom features—or you can’t afford any major refurbishments at all—there are plenty of inexpensive flourishes you can add that will make a big difference. Here are some hints:
1. ‘New taps can update a bathroom and are inexpensive compared to redoing the whole bathroom,’ says Phil. Choosing taps to fit in with the general style of your bathroom can really transform baths and basins—so brass taps will look best in Victorian or country homes, whereas shiny chrome or brushed and satin finishes will achieve a more modern, sleek appearance.
2. Investing in an attractive mirror can immediately transform your bathroom. A stylish frame can help, and a specially designed demisting mirror (available at a number of mainstream retailers) will mean you never have to wipe away the steam again.
3. Plenty of shelving and towel hooks will allow you to display bathroom accessories to create a homely atmosphere. Attractive bath products, soap dishes, toothbrush holders and bath mats can all add that final touch to your bathroom.
See also:
Renovation Rules: A Guide to Renovating Your Property
