Modern bathroom with large floor to ceiling tiles, glass shower and timber vanity

Embarking on a bathroom renovation is a substantial investment. A new bathroom is a significant project, so the more prepared you are, the more confident you can be of the best result.

Ultimately your bathroom should be a sanctuary, a space where you can unwind and relax and wash away the day. Many big and small decisions will impact whether the finished product meets or exceeds your expectations.

Here at Farmer Constructions, we work closely with you to gain an in-depth understanding of your needs and personal preferences before getting started. We love bathroom renos and get a great deal of satisfaction from transforming your bathroom into something truly magnificent that you will love for many years to come.

Over the years, we have found that successful bathroom renovations have several factors in common. Here we share them with you to give your project the best chance of success.

1. Do your research

Before getting started, spend a couple of months researching. Look at other bathrooms, online case studies or display homes for real-life examples. Visiting display homes is a great way to check out trends and generate ideas.

It’s helpful to explore the following:

  • Whether you want to rework the space or keep the existing floor plan
  • Wall and floor finishes
  • Shower and bath size and styles
  • Vanity/sink cabinet styles – wall hung, built-in, off the shelf
  • Fixtures and fittings
  • Cabinetry and storage
  • Lighting including any LED strip lighting, under vanity lights and wall sconces

Start a Pinterest board (or several!) to keep track of ideas, colour schemes, and inspiring images.

This process will also allow you to compare pricing for the various elements. As you can imagine, the cost of a bathroom renovation can differ significantly depending on the finishes, fixtures and fittings chosen. 

Consider what you can afford and your top-level budget if additional work is required to fix any water ingress discovered during demolition.

2. Know your style

It may seem obvious but having a clear idea of the style you are aiming to achieve will help with decision-making.

If you have an older home and are only upgrading the bathroom, you may want to consider a modern style that still suits your existing home rather than go all out with the latest looks. If you’re planning to eventually renovate the entire house to create a more contemporary style, then you have a blank canvas.

Also, consider the location of the bathroom in relation to other elements of the home. For an ensuite, is there a need to match the style and colour scheme of the master bedroom? In the main bathroom, lines of sight from other rooms and hallways may be worth considering. For example, you might like any new bathroom flooring to complement carpet or floorboards leading into the bathroom.

It’s helpful to have some words and images around the style you like. Here are some descriptions to get you started:

  • Contemporary
  • Scandinavian
  • Boho
  • Eclectic
  • Minimalist (see image below)
  • Mediterranean
  • Tropical
  • Luxurious
  • Beachy
  • Industrial
  • Rustic
  • Victorian
  • Hamptons
  • Victorian

Try Googling those styles, check out some blogs on Houzz or search Pinterest for endless inspiration.

Not all bathroom renovations involve a designer. Many home owners bring well-developed designs that we can use as a basis for your renovation. However, if you are stuck for ideas and unsure, Farmer Constructions has an in-house designer who can work with you to consider all the elements individually and then draw up a plan for bringing them all together.

Minimalist bathroom design with freestanding white bath, concrete floor and floating cabinetry

3. Get practical

A bathroom is about more than just aesthetics. It needs to be practical, easy to move around in and work well for your family.

Spend some time thinking about how you and your family use the existing bathroom/s. Do multiple family members often share the space at a time? How can that be accommodated? For example, installing twin sinks or separate mirrored areas.

Do you have children, or are you planning to have children? A bathtub is not essential but it can make life a lot easier if you have kids.

What are your family’s power needs? Consider hairdryers, heated towel racks, shavers etc. If you’re planning to have a mirrored cupboard over the basin, it’s a good idea to include a powerpoint inside the cupboard.

4. Don’t forget storage

Regardless of the size of your bathroom, factor in some built-in storage space or cabinetry. Also, consider how much linen you will need to store in your bathroom.

There are loads of creative bathroom storage ideas. Below are just a few to consider at the planning stage.

  • Built-in cabinetry
  • Shelving
  • Niches (see image below)
  • Storage cupboards between studs
  • Toilet paper storage
  • Towel rails
White doubel herringbone tile feature in shower niche

5. Ventilation matters

Steamy showers, running taps, and bathtubs contribute to humidity in a bathroom, causing a range of potential problems, including condensation, mould and odours, which can impact your health. Humidity can also result in damaged walls, doors and paint that can be costly to repair.

Every bathroom should have ventilation that meets the National Construction Code (NCC) Guidelines. Essentially you need a window or door opening to the outside with 5% of the floor area or more. Internal openings for ventilation are more complicated, and in the event of no window, a ducted fan is acceptable.

The NCC also states that exhaust fans for bathrooms and toilets must have a minimum flow rate of 25L/s exhausts and need to be discharged to the outside air either directly or via a shaft, duct or a ventilated roof space.

6. Obtain an itemised quote

An itemised quote will give you a good indication of whether the pricing is within your budget. Check to ensure everything you have asked for has been included. Here at Farmer Constructions, we generally quote for standard fixtures and fittings unless the home owner has specified preferences in advance. That becomes a solid starting point that can be revised once you have confirmed product selection.

Keep in mind that as builders, we can only quote on what we can see. A variation may be required if the demolition process uncovers water ingress or damage.

It is common for bathrooms in older homes, particularly those built in the 1980s or earlier, to include asbestos sheeting, requiring specialised asbestos removers, therefore adding to the cost.

 

Ready to get started on your bathroom renovation? Farmer Constructions is here to help. Get in touch with Dani for a quote today on 07 5492 9409 or email [email protected].

Planning a renovation?

We would love to help turn your renovation dream into a reality. Contact Farmer Constructions on 07 5492 9409 or email us.

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