Being very clear about what you love and loathe about a bathroom is going to come in very handy when you decide to renovate or add a new bathroom to your home.

Be sure not to skimp on your design and planning stages, as it ought to be a space you really enjoy using every day. Most of us are on the same page when it comes to what we want in a bathroom: plenty of natural light, good ventilation, a generous shower cubicle (the bigger the better is a current trend) and lots of shelf and drawer space.

These tips can help no matter what you’re planning.

The big picture

A renovation on an existing bathroom need not cost a bomb as you may not need to add a lot of expensive items, but instead tweak what is already there. Remember that wanting to move existing toilets, sinks and a shower cubicle will add greatly to your costs and will depend largely on your budget. Many bathrooms just need a refresh or a more modern feel and shopping around will help you get an idea of how much it will cost to install a new vanity, loo, taps and cabinetry.

Plan carefully

If you need to, get expert help early in the planning stage to ensure you have measured up critical areas before thinking about tiles, baths, showers and sinks. Your wish list might change and you may have to compromise because of space constraints: is a standalone bathtub really necessary?

Budget wisely

Costs can escalate fast when it comes to renovating a bathroom. Before going ahead, get an idea about the cost of tiling, for example. You may fall in love with an exquisite but expensive tile: a solution could be to compromise and feature a smaller space with the luxury tile complemented by another more neutral and cheaper tile for the rest of the area. Try not to compromise on certain items, though, because you do get what you pay for. Opt for quality taps, hardware and cabinetry – you won’t regret it. Factor in other more expensive costs such as increasing the size of the shower cubicle and re-grouting if that needs doing.

Qualified trades

Be sure to employ a reputable builder or tradespeople whom you have confidence in. Ask for references and examples of their work (as well as checking they are licensed and insured). Remember to find out whether there are any necessary local codes, standards and certificates required for the job. Also ask for advice and recommendations from family, friends and bathroom experts even on the little things such as how many sockets there ought to be in the bathroom for electric shavers, toothbrushes and hairdryers. Also talk to qualified professionals about aspects such as waterproofing, lighting or underfloor heating if you live in a cold region.

Colour & character

Ask women what they want most in a bathroom and many will say enough storage space for their beauty products. Men tend to go for the more practical elements such as a large shower cubicle and good drainage. Most of us also like to add personal touches such as indoor plants, a ledge to put a glass of wine and candles while having a bath or hooks to hang His and Hers dressing gowns. The overall look and feel of your new bathroom ought to be fresh, airy and bright.

If these tips inspire you to get started on your DIY bathroom flatpack project with SmartPack and you would like to find out more about how it’s done, read more on this site or give Lucrezia a call on 0401 922 292.