Renovating a bathroom is a demanding task – especially if the person takes on the job without prior preparation. Regardless of whether it is a major renovation or just refreshing the interior, it is worth familiarizing yourself with our comprehensive guide. We provide advice on how to plan the sequence of work, what expenses to include, and what mistakes to avoid. Thanks to this, everyone will be able to transform their bathroom into a functional and aesthetically pleasing space, tailored to the needs of each of its users.
In this article you will learn:
- Which renovation tasks should definitely not be overlooked to achieve the desired effect.
- What mistakes to avoid during the process.
- How much a bathroom renovation may cost and what it depends on.
- Why the appearance of bathroom tiles can be significant.
- How proper bathroom lighting can influence the functionality of the space.
Bathroom renovation – where to start?
Renovating a bathroom is one of the most important investments in a home, which can significantly increase the property's value and improve the quality of daily life. A modern bathroom is not only a functional room but also a space for relaxation, allowing for recuperation after a hard day. At the same time, renovating it comes with many challenges – from choosing the right materials, through adapting installations, to finding experienced professionals.
Statistics show that Poles are increasingly opting for bathroom renovations to adapt them to modern standards. Durability of appliances, water and energy savings, and aesthetic appearance are key factors influencing the decision to renovate.
Regardless of the size of the bathroom – whether it is a small room in an apartment or a spacious bathroom in a detached house – proper planning and execution of the renovation will create a space perfectly suited to your needs.
At the very beginning, it is worth considering how the bathroom is used on a daily basis. Do its users need two sinks? Is it more important for them to have space for a washing machine or room 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 bathroom in a glam style, while others prefer minimalism? Popular interior design styles include:
- industrial style – characterized by raw finishes, concrete walls, and black fixtures, which may not appeal to everyone but are considered very “in style”,
- eclectic style – a combination of modern and classic elements, e.g., an antique mirror alongside modern tiles in the bathroom. A bathroom designed this way will look exceptionally appealing – we guarantee it.
Before you start working, 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 worth taking:
- assessing the condition of the bathroom – identifying elements that require replacement such as old tiles, installations, or sanitary appliances,
- setting a budget – the cost of renovation depends on the scope of work and the quality of materials used. It is advisable to prepare a reserve for unforeseen expenses,
- bathroom design – thinking about the arrangement of elements such as the bathtub, shower, sink, or cabinets. You can enlist the help of a professional designer, ensuring a satisfying transformation of the bathroom,
- hiring a renovation team or working independently – if you lack the proper qualifications, it is advisable to seek professional assistance. For DIY renovation, always plan more time for the execution of work in both large and small bathrooms.
The duration of a bathroom renovation mainly depends on who is executing the various stages of the work. An experienced renovation team can handle everything much faster than a person working alone.
Moreover, even someone who works professionally in this field may not always be able to manage a bathroom renovation alone, especially since tasks like tile removal, leveling walls, or other activities often require at least one additional person's support – also for safety reasons.
How much does a bathroom renovation cost?
The costs of renovating a room for daily hygiene depend on many factors, such as:
- bathroom size – a small bathroom will be cheaper to renovate than a spacious new bathroom in a detached house,
- scope of work – a general bathroom renovation includes removing ceramic tiles, replacing installations, and finishing the interior,
- type of materials used – ceramic tiles, fixtures, furniture, and accessories come at various prices depending on quality and brand.
Example costs:
- removing old tiles: 30–50 PLN/m²,
- laying new tiles: 70–150 PLN/m²,
- installing a bathtub or shower: 500–1000 PLN,
- painting walls: 20–30 PLN/m².
Total costs for renovating a room can range from a few to several thousand PLN, depending on the location (e.g. higher amounts in Warsaw and other large cities), the quality of materials, and labor costs per square meter.
General bathroom renovation – order of work
When renovating a bathroom, it is particularly important to maintain the correct order of work:
- Dismantling and preparing the room
- removing tiles and old sanitary appliances,
- priming walls and leveling the substrate.
- Installation work
- replacing or modernizing plumbing and electrical installations,
- installing a linear drain or preparing the installation for bathtub mounting.
- Waterproofing
- protecting walls and the floor from moisture using liquid foil or special membranes.
- Laying tiles
- installing wall and floor tiles,
- filling joints (e.g., cement or epoxy).
- Installing sanitary appliances
- installing the bathtub, shower cabin, sink, and toilet,
- connecting bathroom fixtures.
- Finishing the interior
- installing lighting, heater, bathroom furniture, and accessories,
- painting the ceiling and walls not covered by tiles.
Cost of bathroom renovation in an apartment and beyond – what can it be?
Renovating a bathroom in an apartment comes with additional challenges, such as limited space or the need to notify the administration of certain work. Renovation costs in an apartment mainly depend on:
- scope of work – renovating a small bathroom typically involves replacing tiles, fixtures, and white goods,
- selected materials – if the budget is limited, it's worth opting for medium-priced wall tiles and standard equipment.
- labor costs – the cost of labor in an apartment may be higher due to more difficult access to the room and the need to transport materials.
Example costs for a bathroom renovation in an apartment:
- removing old tiles: 1000–1500 PLN,
- laying tiles: 3000–5000 PLN,
- replacing plumbing: 2000–4000 PLN,
- installing equipment: 2000–3000 PLN.
How to reduce costs during a bathroom renovation?
Renovating an old bathroom does not have to be expensive if the person deciding to undertake the project applies a few following “tricks”:
- refreshing instead of replacing – instead of replacing worn tiles in your bathroom, you can paint them with special ceramic paint,
- buying materials on sale – it's worth taking advantage of sales in home improvement stores such as Mexen.pl,
- doing simple tasks yourself – most people can handle painting walls or installing shelves themselves,
- forgoing luxury items – if you want to cut costs, you can prioritize functionality over expensive fittings.
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 from our own. So what can hinder achieving the desired results? Above all:
- lack of a proper project – mismatching the equipment elements to the space leads to functionality problems,
- overlooking waterproofing – failing to protect the walls and floor against moisture may result in mold and necessitate another renovation,
- improper choice of materials – low-quality tiles or fixtures can affect the durability of the finish,
- unthoughtful arrangement of elements – improperly placing a bathtub, sink, or toilet can make daily use of the bathroom difficult.
How to choose the perfect tiles for your bathroom?
- Material and finish – ceramic tiles are the most popular choice due to their durability and ease of cleaning. In modern bathrooms, gres tiles imitating concrete or wood also work well.
- Size and layout of tiles – large tiles visually enlarge the space, while small mosaics add finesse. However, remember that laying small tiles requires more work, which can increase labor costs.
- Color and patterns – light colors, such as white or beige, make the bathroom appear larger and more spacious. On the other hand, 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 is worth investing in:
- general lighting – usually ceiling-mounted, providing even light distribution,
- lighting around the mirror – lamps on both sides of the mirror minimize shadows on the face,
- LED lighting – LED strips installed under cabinets or around them.
Additional tips for those renovating small bathrooms
In small bathrooms, intelligent space planning is essential. Corner cabinets, walk-in showers, and enlarging mirrors are solutions that can work wonders. Using recessed toilet frames or faucets integrated with the sink allows you to save precious centimeters of free space, which can then be used in any way or simply left free, providing freedom of movement within the room.
Summary
Renovating a bathroom requires careful planning and consideration of many factors, such as costs, order of work, and quality of materials. The key to success is creating a functional and aesthetic space that will serve for years. It should be remembered that proper preparation will help avoid unnecessary expenses and delays.
If you are looking for high-quality bathroom products, it is worth checking out the offer of Mexen.pl. Thousands of people have already made this choice, who found our products by searching in search engines with phrases like: “how to renovate a bathroom”, “DIY bathroom renovation” or “how to do a bathroom renovation”. For years, we have been providing reliable products that can satisfy even the most demanding customers of our store, and we do not intend to change that.