The bathroom is one of the most visited rooms in your home. Most people will spend anywhere between 259 and 309 days of their life in the bathroom. 

Since we spend so much time in bathrooms, we tend to think we know how to design them. They’re pretty simple, right? A toilet, a shower or bath, a sink, and some storage. But it’s far more complicated than that. 

These are some of the top bathroom design mistakes, and how to avoid them. 

1. Plumbing Problems

The biggest plumbing issue you’re going to run into in your bathroom renovation is if you’re trying to do it yourself. Plumbing is a delicate system, and it’s especially challenging if you’re trying to change the position of key fixtures like the sink, toilet or shower. 

It’s best to hire a plumber to handle any major plumbing installations or changes in your bathroom. Otherwise, you might find yourself with a huge mess a few days or weeks down the line. 

2. Storage Struggles

Storage in a bathroom is always a struggle. Bathrooms are often very small, so figuring out how to make extra space is the key focus. But then people fall into the trap of choosing the wrong material for this. 

Since there is so much moisture in a bathroom, it’s important to either choose a material that is sealed against water, or ensure there is lots of ventilation in the bathroom. If you don’t do this, then mold and mildew can take hold in the bathroom, which is a health hazard. 

Shelves are a good storage solution for bathrooms. This means you free up floor space, so the bathroom doesn’t get too cluttered. Open or floating shelves are even better, because they are easier to clean. 

3. Lack of Lighting

If you need to use the bathroom mirror to apply makeup or shave your face, you need to ensure good lighting at any hour of the day. 

A great way to ensure good bathroom lighting is by installing two sets of lights: one overhead light fixture to light up the bathroom, and one small fixture to light up the mirror. 

Figuring out how to make this lighting work might be a bit tricky, especially if you’ve got to add additional wiring. You can either use bright LEDs around the mirror, or you can hire an electrician to help you out. 

4. Terrible Tiling

Tiling is the most common finish in bathrooms. It makes sense – it’s water resistant and easy to clean, which is exactly what you want in a bathroom. 

The problem is that tiling, when it’s not done properly, can cause problems. If you’ve chosen tiles that don’t have a non-slip coating, it means you’ve got a big risk of injury. If the tiles are installed incorrectly, it means they can lift, which creates the perfect space for mold to take hold. 

To keep your bathroom hygienic and well-finished, you’re best off hiring a professional tiler to help you with the installation. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my bathroom design already has some of these mistakes?

Hiring a professional is probably your best bet. Professional contractors know all the ins and outs of bathroom design and where the problems happen, and they can help you correct the mistakes you might have. 

What are the biggest bathroom design mistakes?

The biggest bathroom mistakes are usually due to plumbing issues, poor storage, a lack of good lighting, and incorrect tiling. 

Is it really that bad if a bathroom has some mistakes?

For plumbing, any small mistake can become a big problem later on, so plumbing mistakes should be taken seriously. If you’ve got some plumbing issues, it’s best to hire a professional immediately to come check it out. 

But for storage, lighting, and tiling, it’s not a huge issue. Fixing these mistakes will make your life a lot easier, but if you’re happy making adjustments to accommodate them, you’ll be fine. 

Avoiding These Bathroom Design Mistakes

These bathroom design mistakes can cause more problems than they’re worth. Now that you know about these mistakes, you can make sure you avoid them. 

If you need assistance in renovating your bathroom, Fix Forward has got you covered! Our professional contractors are happy to help you design the bathroom of your dreams. 

Contact us for more information.