Bathroom renovation is a demanding task – especially if someone undertakes it without prior preparation. Regardless of whether it's a full renovation or just refreshing the interior, it is worth familiarising yourself with our comprehensive guide. We advise in it how to plan the sequence of work, what expenses to consider, and what mistakes to avoid. This way, everyone can more easily and efficiently transform their bathroom into a functional and aesthetic room, tailored to the needs of each of its users.
In this article, you will learn:
- Which renovation tasks cannot be skipped to achieve the desired effect.
- What mistakes to avoid.
- How much a bathroom renovation can cost and what it depends on.
- Why the appearance of bathroom tiles can matter a lot.
- How proper bathroom lighting can affect the functionality level of the equipped room.
Bathroom Renovation – Where to Start?
Renovating a bathroom is one of the most important investments in a home that can significantly increase property value and improve the quality of daily life. A modern bathroom is not just a functional space but also a relaxation area that allows for regeneration after a long day. At the same time, renovating it involves many challenges – from choosing the right materials, adapting installations, to finding experienced professionals.
Statistics show that people in Ireland are increasingly deciding to renovate bathrooms to meet modern standards. The durability of devices, water and energy savings, and aesthetic appearance are key factors influencing the decision to renovate.
No matter the size of the bathroom – whether it's a small room in a block of flats or a spacious bathroom in a detached home – proper planning and execution of the renovation will create a space perfectly tailored to your needs.
Initially, it is worth considering how the bathroom is used daily. Do its users need two sinks? Is space for a washing machine more important to them, or a space for a larger bathtub? Setting priorities at this stage will help avoid mistakes in the future.
It is also good to consider your aesthetic needs and expectations – some dream of a beautiful glamour-style bathroom, while others prefer minimalism. Popular interior styles include:
- industrial style – characterized by raw finishes, concrete walls, and black fittings, which may not appeal to everyone but are considered very trendy,
- eclectic style – a combination of modern and classic elements, like an antique mirror accompanied by modern tiles in the bathroom. Such a bathroom will look exceptionally good – we guarantee.
Before starting the work, it is crucial to plan the course of the bathroom renovation. A proper plan will help avoid problems and additional costs. Here are the steps to take:
- assessing the bathroom's condition – identifying elements that need replacing, such as old tiles, installations, or sanitary devices,
- setting the budget – the cost of renovation depends on the scope of work and the quality of materials used. It's worth preparing a reserve for unforeseen expenses,
- bathroom design – considering the layout of elements like a bathtub, shower, sink, or cabinets. You can use the help of a professional designer to ensure a satisfactory bathroom transformation,
- hiring a renovation team or working independently – without proper education, it's worth using the help of professionals. In case of DIY, we advise always planning more time to complete work in both large and small bathrooms.
The duration of a bathroom renovation depends mainly on who conducts the various stages of work. An experienced renovation team can handle everything usually much faster than someone working alone.
Moreover, not everyone, even those professionally involved in such work, can handle a bathroom renovation alone. Tiling, wall leveling, or other tasks often require the support of at least one additional person – also for safety reasons.
How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost?
The cost of renovating a room for daily hygiene depends on many factors, such as:
- bathroom size – a small bathroom will be cheaper to renovate than a spacious new bathroom in a detached home,
- scope of work – a complete bathroom renovation involves removing ceramic tiles, replacing installations, and finishing the interior,
- type of materials used – ceramic tiles, fixtures, furniture, and accessories have different prices depending on quality and brand.
Example costs:
- tile removal: 30–50 zł/m²,
- laying new tiles: 70–150 zł/m²,
- installing a bathtub or shower: 500–1000 zł,
- painting walls: 20–30 zł/m².
The total cost of renovating the room can range from several to several tens of thousands of złoty, depending on the location (e.g., higher amounts in Dublin and other large cities), material quality, and labor per square meter.
General Bathroom Renovation – Work Sequence
In a general bathroom renovation, it is especially important to follow the correct order of work:
- Removing and preparing the room
- removing tiles and old sanitary devices,
- priming walls and leveling the floor.
- Installation work
- replacing or upgrading plumbing and electrical installations,
- installing a linear drain or preparing the installation for a bathtub.
- Waterproofing
- protecting walls and floors against moisture with liquid foil or special membranes.
- Tiling
- installing wall and floor tiles,
- filling joints (e.g., cementitious or epoxy).
- Installing sanitary devices
- installing a bathtub, shower cabin, sink, and toilet,
- connecting bathroom fittings.
- Finishing the interior
- installing lighting, a radiator, bathroom furniture, and accessories,
- painting the ceiling and walls not covered with tiles.
Cost of Renovating a Bathroom in an Apartment Block and More – How Much Can It Be?
Renovating a bathroom in an apartment block comes with additional challenges, such as limited space or the need to report certain work to the administration. The cost of renovating a room in an apartment block mainly depends on:
- scope of work – renovating a small bathroom usually includes replacing tiles, fixtures, and white installation,
- chosen materials – in the case of a limited budget, it's worth choosing mid-priced wall tiles and standard fittings.
- labor costs – the cost of labor in an apartment block may be higher due to harder access to the room and the need for material transportation.
Renovating a Bathroom in an Apartment Block – Example Cost:
- old tile removal: 1000–1500 zł,
- tiling: 3000–5000 zł,
- plumbing replacement: 2000–4000 zł,
- fitting installation: 2000–3000 zł.
How to Cut Costs During a Bathroom Renovation?
Renovating an old bathroom doesn't have to be expensive if the person deciding to carry it out employs a few of the following 'tricks':
- refreshing instead of replacing – instead of replacing worn tiles in your bathroom, you can paint them with a special ceramic paint,
- buying materials on sale – it is worth taking advantage of sales in building stores,
- DIY simple tasks – most people can paint walls or install shelves themselves,
- forsaking luxury elements – to reduce costs, opt for functionality over expensive equipment.
What Mistakes Are Most Often Made During Bathroom Renovations?
As it turns out, there are quite a few, but thanks to us, they can be easily avoided. It is well known that it is better to learn from others' mistakes than to make your own. So what can hinder achieving the desired effects? Primarily:
- lack of a proper project – failing to match the furnishings to the space leads to functionality issues,
- omission of waterproofing – failing to secure walls and floors against moisture can result in mold and the need for another renovation,
- incorrect choice of materials – low-quality tiles or fittings can affect the durability of the finish,
- ill-considered placement of elements – incorrect placement of the bathtub, sink, or toilet can hinder everyday use of the bathroom.
How to Choose the Perfect Tiles for the Bathroom?
- Material and finish – ceramic tiles are the most popular choice due to their durability and ease of cleaning. In modern-style bathrooms, gres tiles, which mimic concrete or wood, also work well.
- Tile size and layout – large tiles visually expand the room, while small mosaics add finesse. However, remember that laying small tiles requires more work, which can increase labor costs.
- Color scheme and patterns – Light colors such as white or beige make the bathroom feel bigger and more spacious. Meanwhile, dark tiles combined with LED lighting give the interior an elegant look.
Bathroom Lighting – Practical Tips
Lighting in the bathroom should be both functional and decorative. It's worth investing in:
- general lighting – typically ceiling lighting, providing even light distribution,
- mirror lighting – lamps on both sides of the mirror minimize shadows on the face,
- LED lighting – LED strips installed under or around cabinets.
Additional Tips for Those Renovating Small Bathrooms
In small bathrooms, smart space management is crucial. Corner cabinets, walk-in showers, and mirrors that visually enlarge the interior are solutions that can work wonders. Using wall-hung WC frames or integrated taps and sinks save precious centimeters of free space that can then be used in any way, or simply left vacant, ensuring freedom of movement within the room.
Summary
Bathroom renovation requires careful planning and consideration of many factors such as costs, sequence of work, and material quality. The key to success is creating a functional and aesthetic space that will serve for years. It is therefore important to remember that adequate preparation will help avoid unnecessary expenses and delays.
When looking for high-quality products for your bathroom, it is worth checking out the offer of Mexen.pl. Thousands of people who found our products by searching online for terms like 'how to renovate a bathroom,' 'do-it-yourself bathroom renovation,' or 'how to do a bathroom renovation' have already made this step. For years, we have been providing proven articles capable of satisfying even the most demanding customers of our store, and we do not intend to change that.