8 Common Bathroom Renovation Mistakes Homeowners Often Overlook

Planning ahead is key.

Bathrooms are not only one of the smallest rooms in your home, they’re also exposed to heavy moisture on a daily basis – so there are multiple practical considerations you should discuss at length with your ID. Failing to keep these two reasons in mind when you finally get to renovate your bathroom may result in regrets down the road!

Knowing what to avoid may help prevent this, so here are some common bathroom renovation mistakes to keep in mind:

1. Not having enough storage space

It may not seem like it, but your bathrooms need more storage space than you think. You don’t just have your shower essentials and skincare products – you also have cleaning items, extra toilet rolls, plungers…the list goes on.

That’s why you shouldn’t underestimate the amount of storage you need in your bathroom. Anything from building storage cabinets underneath your sink to behind your bathroom mirror can go a long way in giving you the space you need for your things.

Or, alternatively, if you’re having trouble squeezing a sink-and-vanity combination in your already-tiny bathroom, consider shifting it outside. This way, you’ll have more room for a bigger vanity, and you’ll also free up some space within your actual bathroom (for a bathtub, perhaps?) – a win-win!

2. Concealing your plumbing without including an access opening

We get it, those pipes in your HDB bathroom stand out in the wrong way. But did you know that concealing them completely is actually a renovation work that’s illegal in HDB flats?

If this is something you absolutely have to do, remember: you are legally required to have an access opening of 600mm by 600mm. This is to ensure that they are easily accessible in the event that repairs are needed.

3. Not incorporating proper ventilation

Having proper ventilation is key in a humid country like Singapore, and this is especially so for your bathrooms, which are the most moisture-heavy areas in your home. Not doing so will create extra moisture – which, in turn, increases the likelihood of mould, mildew, and bacteria build up.

Preventing this can be as simple as opening your bathroom and shower doors after you’re done showering. For extra air circulation, you can consider installing a bathroom ventilation fan within your window, which works by pushing moisture-laden air out of your bathroom.

4. Not investing in proper fittings and fixtures

Reputable bathroom fittings and fixtures can be pricey, which may tempt you to purchase a cheaper variant.

But if you do go down this route, do it at your own risk – because they may not be as durable or reliable as fittings from reliable brands. That means they’re prone to breakages and need replacing in a shorter period of time as compared to a high-quality bathroom fitting and fixture.

After all, you know what they say: buy cheap, buy twice!

5. Using porous materials like limewash, cement screed and natural wood

Nature-inspired looks like wabi-sabi have been gaining popularity over the years – and with it, more and more homeowners are looking to incorporate materials/finishes like limewash paint, cement screed, and natural wood into their homes. But with how porous they can be, are they the best material choices for your bathrooms?

The answer: it depends. While such materials can be coated with a waterproof seal that prevents moisture absorption, they do wear off quickly – so you need to be conscientious about reapplying them every few months or so. If not, it may warp and crack.

If you like the look but aren’t a fan of the maintenance required, consider tiles that look similar to the material you like.

Explore: 8 Nice Wood-Look HDB Bathrooms That’ll Make You Want One Too

6. Going wild with your colour and tile choices

Tiles are one of the most popular materials for a bathroom for many reasons – like moisture resistance and the sheer number of available colours and designs. While it’s tempting to choose several tiles of varying colours and designs, note that doing so will likely result in a bathroom that is visually overwhelming.

Why? Having too many colours and/or tile designs mean they’re all vying for your attention, thus creating a visually unharmonious look.

Renovation tip: If you’ve got your eye on a particular set of tiles, or are keen on incorporating one striking colour into the space for contrast, limit their usage to just one area in your bathroom – like your shower area, for example.

This will function as the focal point of your bathroom that immediately captures your attention whenever you look at it.

7. Choosing finishes or features that make water marks more visible

Water marks are inevitable in a bathroom, but some homeowners may be more particular about it than others. If you fall into this camp, you may want to stay away from popular finishes like dark or chrome finishes or glass dividers, since they each make water marks (and rust) stand out and thus require tons of upkeep.

While water marks are unavoidable, you can instead opt for features that are more visually ‘forgiving’, like stainless steel fittings or shower curtains/walls to divide your bathroom. These materials tend to mask water marks instead of drawing attention to them, which means you can get away with less regular cleaning.

8. Choosing lighter grout colours (especially for your bathroom floors)

Again, this point is for the more particular among you. Being made of sand, grout is a porous material that tends to absorb dirt easily. So if you’re choosing a lighter coloured variant, chances are, it’ll look dirty way more easily.

This is especially true for your floors, which are subjected to dirt, dust, and hair perpetually sticking to it.

So, if you don’t have a lot of time to clean but absolutely hate the look of dirty grout, consider getting them in a darker colour like black or grey, which prevents dirt from showing up more obviously.

Alternatively, you can opt for epoxy grout (a more stain-resistant variant of regular grout), choose large-format tiles (which means lesser grout) or get them resealed more regularly so that they’re less prone to absorbing gunk.

How do you avoid these bathroom renovation mistakes?

While researching these potential pitfalls beforehand will go a long way in helping you plan your dream home, an experienced interior designer can take it a step further by giving you professional advice.

And we can help you with find the right interior designer to work with – just click the button below to get started!