Here are the Top Three Dos and Don'ts when You're Planning on Refurbishing Your Bathroom

When people decide on refurbishing their bathroom, they often make it a project, and whilst this is the correct way of making sure you end up with a bathroom that will suit your tastes and sensibilities, there are often some issues that are not included in the planning, issues people often forget or overlook, issues that can lead to regret. It's normal: refurbishing a bathroom is an adventure, but not necessarily an easy one. It's a matter of materials, shapes, colours, installations, fees, safety, and comfort. So do you want to upgrade the bathroom but aren't sure where to start? Here are the top three dos and don'ts when you're planning to refurbish your bathroom.

DO

• Imagine a big overhaul. That's not to say that you need it, that's to say that if you are seriously considering changing a few fundamental things (such as the plumbing), you notice other problems (such as redoing some tiles) that lead to wanting to do more. Expect to spend some more than you originally anticipated.
• Line out the plumbing. It's your greatest way of starting a blueprint of your dream. Lay out what is there and discuss what could be done first.
• Consider storage space. Cabinets and cupboards take up space, not just the cabinet or cupboard itself, but also the rotating doors. Consider space under the basin, on top of the cabinet or cupboard, and so on.

DON'T

• Be cheap with plumbing. It's very expensive and very annoying to repair plumbing, because you end up breaking walls and floors. As much as possible, consider hidden but easily accessible plumbing.
• Get too trendy. It's a common mistake. Don't choose just what comes to mind. Have a theme that will blend it all together, based on the size of your bathroom and your personal sense of taste.
• Forget the finishing touches. It's the finishing touches that make it all complete; often they're details, but they tie the whole together. Pay attention to details from installation to decoration.

The truth is that it isn't all that hard to do It just requires some organisation and some knowledge of how space works. More importantly, it's all about knowing what you will need and want in the future, so the bathroom design should be something to draw up with the needs and wants of every member of the family in mind. Children and elderly people will need more help than adults, whilst the practical issues, such as the kind of bath, basin and shower enclosure (shower cubicles are always a good and practical choice), will require thinking along the lines of purpose and frequency of use. Remember: consider your needs and those of your family first, and build around that.