A well-designed bathroom can have a dramatic effect on the character of your home. Old or poorly-maintained bathrooms can really show your home’s age. When renovating a bathroom, it’s not unusual to be intimidated by the challenges of tight spaces and fixture placement. Without defining what you’re attempting to achieve beforehand, you could find yourself blowing your budget whilst chasing a moving target.

Lauren Pearse from Rylo Interiors encourages you to consider how your bathroom will be used as one of the initial steps of your renovation. In the renovation featured in the video above, the bathroom was part of a granny flat that may one day be rented out. Because of this, practicality and durability were important considerations, as well as the need for a timeless design that wouldn’t look dated to future tenants.

Lauren advises renovators to start with vital questions like, “How many people are using the bathroom?”, and “Is it a private ensuite or a shared family bathroom?” The featured bathroom was a private ensuite in a guest master bedroom. This meant that it needed to feel special and welcoming in addition to being functional. A spacious walk-in shower was installed instead of a bath for a practical solution that would still be comfortable for guests or tenants. Although bathtubs can add stately luxury to a bathroom, not everyone needs one and they can take up a lot of space. If you still want both but are pressed for space, you can install a shower over the bath or look at some of the newer, smaller tub designs available.

When planning the layout of your bathroom, think practically. Is there a window? Where do you want the light to hit? If you’re installing a vanity mirror, perhaps it would benefit from natural daylight. Also determine whether you’ll need to reroute your plumbing for your desired layout. Keeping your fixtures where they are can save you a lot of money.

Think about the maintenance requirements of your bathroom. Smaller tiles mean more grout lines, and as a result, more cleaning. Although the featured bathroom in our video was an ensuite, the possibility of renters meant that using less glass in the design would facilitate an easier-to-clean space and minimise the risk of breakage.

One of Lauren’s tips for creating a great bathroom is to tile it in a complementary style to the rest of your home to make it feel less like a separate area. Your tile selection will significantly affect the look and feel of your bathroom. Tiles come in a wide variety of materials and styles, which impact the overall cost of a job. If you’re on a budget, but still want that wow factor, Lauren has a helpful trick – simply select a floor tile you love and use a more affordable tile for your walls to reduce costs.

The bathroom should be a place where you can unwind. Reducing clutter with adequate and convenient storage can help to create a relaxed environment. In the bathroom featured in the video, a recessed niche was added to the shower so bath products can be neatly and conveniently tucked away.

By identifying the needs of your space before beginning your renovation, you will be able to work through all the possible options in a logical manner until you find the best solution.

If you find that you are struggling with your bathroom renovation, don’t sweat. As all things, renovating can be a learning process, so you can always consult a professional with experience for help and advice.

You can get more advice on the best flooring options for your bathroom renovation at your nearest Andersens showroom. Our friendly team members will be happy to assist you.