Renovating your bathroom is an activity that can be much more exciting and fun than it might initially seem. It offers the possibility to find the perfect solutions, to create a comfortable and welcoming environment, both in terms of aesthetics and functional level. Before starting to renovate the bathroom, however, it is essential to set up a precise action plan - not only in terms of timing and cost, but also in terms of operations to be carried out, materials to be purchased, colours and designs to choose. Every detail is important, and that is why it deserves the utmost attention!
Renovating your bathroom: the importance of preliminary operations
Preliminary activities for renovating your bathroom include, first of all, the budget estimate and the drafting of a quotation: how much will tiles, window frames, sanitary ware, accessories and so on cost?
Secondly, you should consider timing – you should consider that not always a small bathroom means a quicker renovation. The timing of renovation will depend on the amount of work to be done and the number of parts and components to be replaced: it will therefore have nothing to do with the size of the room but rather with the operations to be carried out.
The third key factor to be considered is the sequence of work to be done. Renovating a bathroom, and more generally any room, is a hard task which must not interfere with the normal daily activities to be carried out at home. Once you have considered these preliminary operations renovation can start. How to do it best?
Here are ten tips to renovate your bathroom and be happy with the result!
- Beware of hidden problems. What is hidden and lies beyond the surfaces can be a real trouble. An example? Pipes are often one of the major hidden problems in bathroom renovation. It is essential to check the condition of the hydraulic system in order to avoid future leakages, when the work is finished, or to intervene in this case. Contact a professional: the plumber will be able to assess the state of the things and eventually decide which parts need to be replaced when the renovation work is still ongoing.
- Measures and placements. Your bathroom measurements should be carefully evaluated in terms of furnishings, style, functionality, pipes, systems, electrical wiring, sanitary ware, light. The bathroom is not an environment where it is possible to operate freely, but rather an area bound by precise rules that must be strictly respected. Knowing in detail the measurements and availability of space will allow you to make the right purchases when you need to choose shower, bathtub, bidet, toilet, washbasin, accessories, tiles and coverings.
- Well being is in the air. A very important topic not to be overlooked when renovating your bathroom is ventilation: the environment you are reorganizing is, in fact, damp and, in order to remain healthy, it necessarily needs a constant air exchange. It may sound simple, but it is not: if you need to place a fan, remember to do it on the opposite side of the electricity. The presence of a window, of course, is the best solution, but in this case you should consider the size: a poorly ventilated bathroom is moist, unhealthy and subject to mold that can have consequences on your health. On the contrary, a ventilated bathroom is healthy and safer: a continuous flow of air, in fact, prevents the decay of wooden items, decorations and fixtures.
- The importance of light. Illumination is another key element to consider when renovating the bathroom. Where are the light points? Do they illuminate elements, spaces and furnishings in the right way? Will you have more than one light point? Will you choose a hot or cold light? You should always remember that light is a design object as much as tiles, sanitary wares and furnishings, and that a proper design will ensure a wonderful atmosphere. A technical suggestion: use not less than 50 watts of incandescent lighting in addition to the natural light coming from the window.
- Save space. The latest generation of sanitary ware is performing, comfortable, functional and can be fundamental to create extra space. Especially in the case that the bathroom you are renovating is not particularly spacious, our advice is to choose suspended sanitary ware to gain several square centimetres on the floor. Unlike the past, in fact, when sanitary ware involved the presence of the column, modern sanitary ware is suspended from the ground. Gain space with built-in furniture: the bathroom will be definitely more spacious.
- Keep an eye on the bathtub. Except in the case of a clawfoot bathtub, perhaps not against the wall and without a tub liner, always remember that replacing this element means a complete renovation of the tiles. If you prefer not to take this action - which also contributes to the aesthetics and the health of the bath! - keep in mind that it is possible to have a tub liner to cover your worn-out bathtub, without replacing it.
- Colour is personality: the colour choice is, in the context of the bathroom renovation, the decisive factor of success or failure. In order to choose the best colour tones, there are several factors you have to consider: how big is the room? What is the style of the rest of the house? What size are the tiles and coverings you want to install? How bright is the bathroom? What colour is the sanitary ware and the furniture? What colour are the accessories? The renovation of a bathroom inevitably requires the support of professionals: plumbings for plant and sanitary ware installation, electricians for lighting, manufacturers of doors, windows, floors and tiles ... and, of course, a designer for the look of the environment. Do not underestimate his importance: his experience and skills will help you define the colour that best suits your environment.
- Designer radiators, what a passion! Have you ever heard of them? If so, you certainly know the utility. If not, you will soon find that they can be a very effective solution in renovating your bathroom. As the name suggests, designer radiators heat and decorate the environments with class, sophistication and performance. In the past, they were exclusive to Spa and shopping centres, nowadays they are more and more popular in private contexts. They are the perfect replacement of the most classic radiators and have an exclusive design: special and sophisticated shapes, attention to finishes, lightness, and maximum functionality make them an indispensable ally for an exclusive bathroom environment. They not only produce heat, but make the look of the room unique, blending with every style, from the most classic to the most contemporary. If you want a design bath designer radiators are certainly an indispensable solution.
- Materials and finishes: you should have clear ideas. We mentioned the need to properly assess the colours and style of your new bathroom. You should also carefully determine which materials and finishes to choose. The aesthetic side of the new environment is the other face of the coin of the functional one: an enchanting bathroom, a comfortable and beautiful room to see. Surface finishes are many: you may prefer natural or artificial ones, but always consider the factor of durability. For example, porcelain stoneware is an artificial material with a high durability, as well as ceramics in general. If you are a lover of natural materials, you can choose wood, stone and marble. Remember, however, that each of these materials responds differently to the stresses of time and water: think hard about it!
- Tiles, what a passion! Bathroom tiles give personality to the room, contribute to the look of the home and are also an essential element in the healthiness of the environment you are renovating. So choose it with great quality. Here are some important features to remember: the classification of tiles is based on the quality of materials and finishes. We will therefore speak of first-choice perfect tiles, second or third choice - which could have defects such as chipped areas or colour alterations. Moreover, always consider the size and colour tone of the tiles you will choose: the first indicates the actual measurement of the product with the utmost precision, while the second identifies the homogeneous production batch by colour. Beyond the considerations about shapes, sizes and types of bathroom tiles, for which we refer you to our next article, please remember that the product you choose will have to be resistant, anti-slip and anti-engraving. Check the PEI table, which defines the resistance of the tile to surface abrasion, and therefore to stresses such as footsteps, passing of people, animals, furniture, machinery, domestic appliances: you can choose between 1 and 5, depending on the environment you have to renovate.
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