I'm Renovating My Bathroom: Where Do I start?

There's no denying; the next few weeks are going to be a little crazy. At Easy Bathrooms, we'll be being a bit kinder to each other and digging deep to get through these tough times (remember, tough times don't last, but tough people do). 

We know that people will be staying in a bit more, and we expect that as the nation spends more time at home, they're likely to want to get those jobs done that they've been putting off. For that reason, our bathroom and tile stores will stay open, and our website will be live 24/7, to help with your renovations.

Our large, open plan bathroom stores (find one near you) have always allowed customers to browse our products without any contact, remaining at a safe distance from employees and other customers.

Our staff are following strict hygiene rules and are cleaning stores on an hourly basis. We might not be shaking any hands or making brews for the time being, but we’re still here to help with advice and designs which can all be done at a distance in store or via email and calls.

We have plenty of customer service and expert-advice resource on-hand to support you.

Our tile and bathroom experts are on hand remotely via LIVE CHAT (the tab on the right-hand side of the page) to send you photos and videos of our products. You can design your bathroom online using our Room Planner and, once ready, you can submit the plans directly to your local store.

This 6-step guide will help you to get started with as few bumps in the road as possible - and we're here when you need us.

1. Planning - Practicalities

A few luxury items you might want include are; a freestanding bath, double shower, vanity basin and towel rail.

Once you’ve brainstormed your initial ideas, you then need to work out what will fit into the area.

2. Measure The Space

Draw an outline of the room, which will give you a rough idea of the actual shape of the space you're working with, and provide a reference point for you to go back to. This will also help when submitting ideas and plans to our designers. Include any windows and doors in your sketch and note whether the doors swing inwards or outwards.
Use a tape measure along the length of each wall and note the size in mm on the drawing. Next, measure from floor to ceiling. If there are different ceiling heights, you will need to note this down too. It will also be handy to take photos of each area. Follow this thorough guide on how to measure your bathroom.

3. Planning - Style
 Now for the exciting bit; deciding on your style. Often, the choice is between a traditional style, packed with British period-style products, or a modern design, with products that have sharp lines.

Alternatively, this blog offers some advice on how to blend modern and traditional. If you’re wanting to update your bathroom with a nod to the trends, but still remain sympathetic to your home’s overall look and feel, look no further than the advice of designer, Stephen O'Callaghan. Monochrome bathrooms are another way to achieve both modern and traditional.

Then, begin to consider individual products that you like. 

For example, Scandinavian interiors are big at the moment. If you want to mirror this in your bathroom, then why not go for some wood-effect floor tiles? Italian, egg-shaped wall-hung sanitaryware is also becoming extremely popular.

If you’re finding it difficult to choose a design that you love, then we’d recommend using Pinterest to browse the thousands-upon-thousands of design ideas. Create a ‘board’ of your favourite styles, and then browse our website for products. We can also send brochures if you prefer.

Our customer service teams are very knowledgeable about products that are on-trend, and can help you to style finishes together. 

4. Budgeting

We’d suggest putting together a spreadsheet to keep track of where you’re at and tot all the costs as you go — remember, everything counts!

Here are the things you should consider:

• Labour for pulling out the existing bathroom
• Plumbing and electrical work
• Tiling labour
• Fixtures and fittings, including baths/showers, tapware, tiles, vanity basins and lighting
• Drainage and waste disposal
• Painting materials and labour.

Having a contingency pot may also help if you do go over (which, let's face it, often happens with a renovation project). Read our blog on how to update your small bathroom on a budget.

5. Coordinating/Organising Tradespeople

Once you’ve got a plan and budget, next you need to coordinate the project. Hiring the right people for the job is crucial — and you usually get what you pay for (clichéd, but true!).

Ask friends/family members for tradespeople that they’ve used in the past, or have a browse on checkatrade.com for their trusted/recommended contractors. We can also recommend tradespeople that we trust.

Then, create a project timeline. This is especially important if you have a set deadline. Speak to each tradesperson and figure out how long they will need in the space — the worst thing you could do is have a clash of schedules. After all, bathrooms are tight spaces and work people need room to manoeuvre about.

When everyone has got to work, keep in touch with them and make sure they have everything they require. Order materials in advance so that you’re organised and decisions aren’t made in a rush.

And if you do forget to order a vital piece, don’t panic - we have next day delivery available.

Once everything is complete, you can breathe a sigh relief — especially if you’ve bought your products from Easy Bathrooms. Our bathroom ranges come with quality guarantees for added peace of mind.

6. Finishing Touches

This part is where the fun really begins — choosing your finishing touches. A carefully-planned and styled bathroom needs some equally beautiful accessories.

We have hundreds of different products to provide you with lots of different options on mirrors,  toilet roll holders, soap dishes and more.

Matte black and brushed gold bathroom accessories are particularly popular at the moment.