Our bathroom is not only our personal sanctuary, it’s a space where making the right design choices can add big dollars in value to your property. Bathrooms are one of the top two rooms that sell a house (the other is the kitchen), so investing in it is a wise decision. A beautiful and luxurious bathroom like the ones we see in hotels is all very nice, but the space needs to work for daily life as well!
2022 was a rather unique year for bathroom trends because there was not a lot that was either innovative or ‘must-have’. Last year homeowners were relieved to finally be able to finish projects that had been delayed due to Covid and the resulting supply-chain issues. So, here we are in 2023 with homeowners eager to begin their new renovation projects and ready to embrace fantastic new design trends!
The Australian Housing Industry (HIA) annual report released in May 2022 shows “the rate of new home building and renovation activity will remain strong which will assist in delaying the adverse impact of rising interest rates on building activity, and therefore on the wider economy.”. Australians are thinking smartly and investing in their homes and increasing the value rather than selling up and moving on.
There’s no escaping it: bathroom renovations are pricey. But, at the same time it is always going to be money well-spent if you do it the right way. So, can you do a bathroom renovation that looks amazing, creates a bathroom most people can only dream about, and increases the overall value of your home all without busting the bank? Yes, you can and I’m going to share the secrets with you!
First up, hire a designer
It might seem counter-intuitive to spend money on hiring a professional designer right from the very start of your project. However, this could be the best money spent in the whole project! Your design professional will ensure that you start off with a solid plan and a realistic budget – saving you from expensive mistakes through the construction phase. Getting ahead of design decisions is all-important and saves you both time and money. Engaging any tradespeople to start work on your new bathroom without a fully thought-out plan is a sure-fire recipe for disaster!
Keep the plumbing where it is
If you don’t need to move the toilet or bathtub, then don’t. You’ll save bucketloads of money by leaving the plumbing right where it is. Moving fittings that aren’t easily movable is the single most expensive aspect of bathroom renovation. We can alter the size or layout of your bathroom, but we must first weigh the benefits against the financial impact of that change.
Choose quality plumbing fixtures
Bathroom plumbing fixtures vary widely in both quality and price. It’s important to always choose the highest quality that your budget allows. Your fixtures don’t need to be super fancy but they do need to last – especially when they are installed behind your walls and tiles!
Consider your tile options
Tiles are a must in a bathroom – they are durable and easy to clean. But, choosing your tiles wisely will cut dollars off your renovation spend. Designer or artisan tile can add a one-of-a-kind look to your bathroom, and your interior designer will be able to steer you to the tile options, creative patterns, and interesting grout colours that will produce just as much luxe for a lower price. Another consideration is reducing the coverage of your tile installation – for walls away from the shower or bathtub other materials might be an option, or (if your tiles are already in good condition) tiling over the top.
Light fittings
Bathroom lighting can be really tricky. After all you need lighting for makeup, lighting for daily ablutions, and of course lighting for soothing. That’s a lot of different lighting tasks and just installing a few downlights in the corners of the room is not going to work … you need to know which light to put where as well as choosing lights that will suit your overall new bathroom aesthetic.
Be generous with storage space
Never skimp on storage in a bathroom – that smaller vanity might cost less but in the long run it will be a major headache when it comes to keeping your belongings hidden away. Bathrooms must be functional spaces and ample storage is a non-negotiable. Your designer can work magic on creating hidden storage spaces that will be so very practical!
Add personality with colour
Your designer will work with you to find the perfect colour combination to add personality and give your bathroom that luxurious feel you’re looking for. Choosing the right colour for a bathroom is not as simple as grabbing a can of white off the shelf, or colour-matching to the rest of your house. Great bathroom lighting relies a lot on the colours of the walls!
Be realistic in your budget
The cost of a bathroom renovation varies greatly, but generally a small bathroom can be renovated for as little as $5,000, while a larger bathroom might cost around $30,000. Going over budget can happen before you realise if you haven’t planned for the unexpected and have contingency money just in case things don’t go to plan – this is where your design professional that you engaged from the outset will keep you on track.
The team here at JMJ Interiors love designing bathrooms and with years of experience we are very good at it! We do full bathroom renovations from concept to completion with our own trusted team of trades that carry out the work so no nasty surprises for you.
One of the reasons a bathroom is one of the most expensive to renovate is also because of the number of trades all involved in that one (often small) room: the tiler, the builder, the plumber, the cabinet maker, and the electrician all working on top of each other and working to each other’s timelines!
It’s also important to remember that renovations can sometimes throw up unexpected surprises, so by hiring a designer (like JM Interiors) with their own team of tradespeople you’ll know you’re in great hands no matter what happens. All of the tradespeople working on your project need to work together – and believe me, this is no easy feat to manage if they have not worked together before!
If you’re ready to investigate a new bathroom for your home book a discovery call with call with me and let’s work together on creating that amazing sanctuary you deserve!
