Follow My Renovation Journey: Bathroom Designing

Last week, we introduced you to Adele Bradley, and just a few days later, she's already made progress - we told you she had energy! In this blog, she talks us through the main considerations when she's designing a bathroom...

I went to Easy Bathrooms' bathroom showroom in Birstall (near Leeds) on Thursday to choose, design and pay for the new bathroom. I was so excited, it's such fun - I genuinely had a great time.

I wanted to write this post, because there are a lot of things to consider when buying a bathroom suite, so I thought it might be handy to create a bit of a guide as to what is involved.

I hope this helps if you are thinking about renovating your bathroom!

Step 1: Understand Your Layout 

My bathroom is very higgledy-piggledy - they put a strange wall in the middle of the bathroom which separates the toilet from the shower and basin. It's a very awkward space and not easy to use, so I knew the separating wall had to come down to make the space easier to use.

There is also a bit of unused space on the landing - straight out of toilet door - so I wondered if I could extend the bathroom by a foot or so to make the space larger.

To understand what was and what wasn’t possible, I asked my plumber to come over to discuss options. This was to talk through the layout and options of where we would put what. Seem simple? Nope - I have two windows which make it hard as I don’t have corners to put a shower, so we had a good discussion about where things could fit and possible layouts. With the extension of the bathroom we have finally found a corner where we can add a shower, however this means moving the main door and placing the door at the top of the landing. But nothing good ever comes easy!

At this stage, it's also important to know your budget. It will involve a plumber, a tiler and maybe a plasterer, plus the cost of the suite and tiles….

Step 2: Choose a Good Tradesman

I'm using the same plumber I used in my last house. He was recommended to me by the sparky and my advice is to go with a recommendation. Always check them out and make sure you can communicate well with them - it's such an important part of renovating. If you don’t get on with them, it probably won’t work out!

He is good, reliable and we communicate well, and I know his work from my previous house, so I'm excited to see how this one will look! (I'm sure Easy Bathrooms can recommend a good plumber / tiler near you).

Step 3: Know Your Measurements 

Once you have measured everything, measure it all again. You can never be too careful and it's so important to get measurements from windows to walls and walls to doors etc. Fully equip yourself with measurements and an idea or two of layout from discussions with your plumber before going to choose your bathroom!

Step 4: Inspiration 

Some of you might know exactly what you want and some of you might be clueless.

I find these places are good for inspiration:

• Pinterest
• Instagram
• Bathroom showrooms (Easy Bathrooms' HQ showroom in Birstall is just a delight)
• Bathroom websites.

On my previous bathroom, I found a picture on Pinterest that shaped the design the of bathroom. The inspiration for this bathroom actually came from Easy Bathrooms' HQ showroom in Birstall. I saw some chevron tiles and fell in love immediately.

I knew I wanted a moon mirror (not their official name but once you see my finished bathroom you’ll understand why i called them that) so then I just started thinking about what I wanted the look and feel of the bathroom to be. Then I gave myself a few hours to wander around the showroom and start piecing together my look.

Ask yourself before choosing bathroom - what are my priorities? What do I want out of a good bathroom? Where will I store everything?

Step 5: Making Choices 

This is definitely the hardest part - I was like a kid in a sweet shop! I gave myself a few hours in the showroom to decide on toilet design, baths, vanity units, showers, shower cubicles, tiles, taps etc.

As I wandered around, it all kind of came together, but this is due to me essentially knowing my priorities and what I wanted in a bathroom. In terms of vanity units, I was torn between a double unit or a single. Due to the measurements and space available, it was looking like I could only have a single and I found it difficult to choose between the Devlin unit and the Erin unit (both wall hung) as they both were classy and stylish.

However as I was leaning towards having a double unit (I think it would be practical for a large family), I ended up deciding on the Erin Unit due to the size of the basin and the storage that was available with it. I know I can keep all my bathroom bits in the storage Erin has, so that's what sealed the deal in the end. Storage is always a must in any home and I think if that's incorporated into the design of the bathroom, it makes for a better flow of the room.

I then started pulling the design together in my head and then I got to sit with one of Easy Bathrooms' designers where we started the 3D design and put everything together.

I think I’ve also decided to get a TV in the bathroom!! (I say think, I'm defo gonna do it!!).

Step 6: Getting Started/Organising Your Trades 

So my plumber is starting on 18th knocking the walls down, then after he has done all his pipework, the plasterer will do his job, then the tiler! After that the bathroom is fitted and we should be done!  Sounds simple but I think this process is about 5-6 weeks and takes lots of plate spinning in terms of trades and organising everyone.

I will take lots of videos and film as much as possible with as many hints and tips as I can provide, so if there is anything in particular you would like to see, just let me know!

In the meantime, follow @designbyadele and @easybathrooms on Instagram to keep following my journey!