Top tips for your bathroom renovation
A full bathroom reno is a big project and it’s essential to make sure you spend time planning to ensure it all goes smoothly! We’ve pooled our knowledge from the thousands of bathroom renos we have worked on and have come up with some do’s and don’ts for creating your dream bathroom.
Before you start, think about what your bathroom must do. Is it a functional family bathroom or a private retreat? Decide what matters most and make sure that you tailor your bathroom design around it!
DO PLAN YOUR BUDGET AHEAD OF TIME
It’s important to decide up front how much you want to spend and make sure that this allows for all products and labour to create your new bathroom. It’s always a good idea to allow an extra buffer for the unexpected – just in case! Make sure you ask your tradesman and product supplier if any deposits are required, so you can plan your finances.
DO PLAN FOR LOTS OF STORAGE SPACE
The rule of thumb is to plan your storage – then plan more! You can never have enough extra space to keep everything you need and a cluttered bathroom is a ‘no no’. There are now lots of clever ways to increase your storage without compromising on style or space. From tower storage units which make use of vertical space to floating shelves and niches which tidily store items while still having them in easy reach, the possibilities are endless. Try mirrored cabinets too to add storage space while also adding something practical (e.g. a mirror). Ask one of the Mico team in-store about how you can maximise your space.
DON’T TRY AND FIT TOO MUCH IN
While trying to fit in everything you want, you should be very careful not to over fill the space! Just because you have a gap of 1200mm doesn’t necessarily mean it would be the best idea to get a vanity which fills the gap completely. It may be better to get a 900mm vanity that has extra space on either side for cleaning etc. It’s also important to make sure that everything you put into your bathroom is functional, for example just because you can fit a toilet into your design doesn’t always mean you can actually use it comfortably. The Mico 3D design planner is a great tool to help you see what will and won’t fit!
DON’T FORGET ABOUT VENTILATION AND LIGHTING
Ventilation and Lighting can make or break a bathroom. These decisions need to be made at the start. Poor lighting can cause shadows or create a clinical feel to your bathroom while the wrong choice in ventilation will make your bathroom an uncomfortable place to be. Mico offers a full range of bathroom ventilation and we can also give you advice on the sort of lighting that would best suit your bathroom design.
DO ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME
Make sure you allow enough time, especially for big renos. Custom products can take up to 20 working days to make so ensure you arrange for your tradesman to come once everything they need has arrived. Give yourself a week or two as a buffer just in case something unexpected comes up.
Buying products direct from overseas importers, while they might be cheaper, can end up costing a lot to convert which may be more expensive in the long run or they may not be able to be converted at all. Always buy from the country you are in so you can make sure you get a warranty, and there are no hidden costs or surprises.
DON’T MOVE PLUMBING FIXTURES (IF YOU CAN AVOID IT)
If you can avoid it, do not move existing ‘behind the wall’ plumbing fittings, as this can bump the costs of your reno up very quickly! Talk to one of our expert team as it is likely that there will be a way to create the bathroom of your dreams by utilising the spaces which you currently have fixtures.