A bathroom renovation can completely change how a home feels.
But in many western Brisbane homes, renovating a bathroom is not simply a matter of choosing new tiles, installing a vanity and replacing the shower screen.
Older homes often come with their own quirks. Floor levels may have shifted over time. Plumbing can be located where it no longer makes sense. Waterproofing standards have changed. Ventilation may be inadequate. Previous renovations can also reveal some interesting surprises once demolition begins.
That is why a successful bathroom renovation starts well before the first tile is removed.
At Briswest Renovations, we work across Brisbane’s western suburbs and understand the practical considerations that come with renovating established homes.
Here are some of the things worth thinking about before you start.
Start With How the Bathroom Needs to Work
It is easy to begin a renovation by looking at tiles, tapware and inspiration photos.
The better place to start is with the way the room is actually used.
A family bathroom in Kenmore may need to handle children getting ready for school every morning. An ensuite in Chapel Hill might need more storage and better lighting. A bathroom in an older Indooroopilly home may simply have a layout that no longer makes sense.
Before deciding what the bathroom should look like, consider:
- Who uses the bathroom?
- How much storage is required?
- Is the current shower large enough?
- Is a bathtub actually needed?
- Are there enough power points?
- Is natural or mechanical ventilation adequate?
- Does the room feel cramped because of the current layout?
- Will your requirements change over the next ten years?
Sometimes relatively small changes to the layout can make a bathroom considerably easier to use.