Top Ten Mistakes Made During a Bathrom Remodel

Bathroom remodeling is a grueling process and if not done correctly, can turn into a complete disaster. If you do not take your time in the designing process, there may be problems arise after you have completed your remodel that will require you to make drastic changes that could become very costly. Always keep in mind that the bathroom is a major selling point when your home hits the market, if you are doing the project yourself there are a ten major mistakes that are very common, these mistakes are as follows.

Mistake One: You did not provide enough room for the door in your design when you made the layout. If you have a relatively small bathroom, you will want to consider using a sliding door, this will allow for the door to be hidden while it is open and save you on space. If this is not an option for you, you might want to consider installing a door that swings outward. There is nothing more frustrating than the wrong door for the wrong bathroom or when the door is opened it hits the cabinets.

Mistake Two: The plumbing is too difficult to access. Eventually you will have a leak that will need to be repaired and you will want to ensure that all of the plumbing is fully and easily accessible.

Mistake Three: A lack of storage during the design of your bathroom. Most people think that there is not a lot of storage space needed in the bathroom and it is unwise to assume this. Due to all the products that we use like hygiene products, shampoo and conditioner, razors, towels, toilet paper all needs to be stored in the bathroom. So keep in mind the amount of storage space that will accommodate all of your families needs.

Mistake Four: Ventilation, having poor ventilation can cause steam and water to regularly build up and will cause a mold infestation in your bathroom environment. When you are constructing your bathroom do not rely solely on the bathroom window for ventilation. It is always a good idea to have a back up ventilation system like an exhaust fan installed into the ceiling.

Mistake Five: Poorly placed toilets can cause several problems. The placement of the toilet is very important for functionality and comfort. You don't want the toilet out in the middle of the bathroom nor do you want it to sit too close to the wall, this will cause discomfort during use. When considering the placement of your toilet, you may want to place it off to the side of your vanity or cabinets to use as a screen for privacy.

Mistake Six: Improper adhesive used on tiles, when tiling the bathroom you will only want to use a waterproof adhesive. Some people think that if the tiles are placed close enough that you don't have to use a waterproof adhesive, this is not the case. The bathroom is a very humid environment and over time condensation from the steam and water will pass through smallest of cracks. Therefore causing the tile to lift up and eventually falls off the wall.

Mistake Seven: Inadequate lighting, the lighting in a bathroom can greatly affect the functionality of an already small space. Most people do not have lighting as a priority when constructing a new bathroom; this is a serious mistake. Good positioning of the lights is very important, regardless of what type of lights you use. Lighting up the vanity mirror is a must, especially for women to apply make-up and style hair. You may also want to think about using halogen light bulbs, they have a wide spectrum of styles that mimic sunlight and are eco-friendly.

Mistake Eight: Trends, people often want to go too trendy and this can lead to a costly remodel down the line when you want to sell. Any real estate agent will inform you that the bathroom is a huge selling point with any home and you will be wise to use neutral colors, rather than striking colors you may like. Striking colors and intricate designs should be avoided as these might turn off a potential buyer. You will want to use neutral or natural colors to avoid making changes later. For your permanent fixtures, stick with removable objects and designer towels that can be changed out easily.

Mistake Nine: Slippery floors, make sure that your floors are non-slip or slip-resistant surface. A slippery floor can be very dangerous, especially for children and pregnant woman. Some people think that if they install carpet in the bathroom there will be no slip accidents. However, carpet is not a good idea for the bathroom due to the water build up, condensation, steam and water poring off a freshly showered person will soak up into the carpet and can cause a mold issue.

Mistake Ten: Wrong materials used; the humidity in the bathroom has a high concentration and it is very important that you use materials that can with stand a humid environment. Wallpaper is really not a good option for the bathroom because of the constant steam from the shower will eventually aid in the wallpaper pealing away from the wall. You will want to stick with non-porous surfaces such as porcelain, ceramic, and tile. Make sure that all sheet rock used in the bathroom is the specially treated kind made for the bathroom.

The bathroom is more than a necessity, if your design is done right and with the proper materials, your bathroom will become a relaxing oasis in an otherwise busy home. If you avoid these ten crucial mistakes from the start, you will have saved yourself time, money and effort fixing these mistakes at a later date.

References for this article came from abathroomguide.com and thisoldhouse.com