Do you want to renovate or makeover your bathroom? But you don’t know where to start? Need bathroom inspiration? In this post, I am sharing how to plan a bathroom renovation. Later this year, I will be doing work in my ensuite bathroom. My ensuite bathroom will be my first major home project to tackle.
Bathrooms are one of the most expensive areas to renovate in our home. I have saved loads of money from doing DIY home projects. However, when it comes to the bathroom, I want to get help with this project. It is always good to spend a decent amount of time planning. A lot of people skip the planning stage, but planning will hopefully avoid you making costly mistakes.
Where To Get Bathroom Inspiration
The first step with your bathroom renovation is to find inspiration. If you are unsure of what your style is. Then seek out some inspiration. Inside the YouTube video at the end of this post. I share how I get inspiration and how I make a mood board.
Pinterest and Instagram are great starting points for your project. I like to create a dedicated Pinterest board for my project. You can then add subsections to your board. Also, you can upload your images directly to your Pinterest board.
To find your style, pin the images that please you the most. Spend some time scrolling through the images and save the ones you like. Review all of the images you have saved for a common theme. Have you picked pictures with a distinctive colour palette?
When you have found a rough idea of what you want, you can pull it together and create a mood board. If you decide to use an interior designer, its good to pull your ideas together to show your designer, this will give them an understanding of your style.
How To Make A Mood Board For Your Bathroom Project
Now that you have a rough idea of your style, you can streamline it into a mood board. Mood boards are great, as you can change them and revert to them during your renovation process.
I created a digital mood board using Canva. You can also use Adobe Photoshop or other software to create a digital mood board. There are mood board templates that you can use, or you can create your own. I made a page for tiles, sinks, showers, and accessories.
Also, you can create a physical mood board using magazine cuttings and add samples to your mood board. When you visit the DIY shops or showrooms, you can purchase tile/paint samples and see what works well together. You can also share your mood board with your builder/decorator, and this gives them a visual to work off.
A mood board can keep you on track. With social media, there is so much inspiration and ideas, and it can get overwhelming. It is great to get inspiration but do try and put your stamp on it.
Showrooms Or Sourcing It Yourself
So, you have your mood board, you know what you want, but your thinking, “what next”?
You have a few options. One option is to visit some bathroom showrooms and start getting quotes and see if they can execute your design choices. I have been doing some research, and some bathroom showrooms promise a five-day bathroom renovation.
So, you have a design consultation, pick what you want, and they arrange the contractors. The pros of going down this route are, you have the project arranged and organised for you. The cons could be, its more expensive.
Another route is seeking the items for the bathroom and organising the contractors yourself. It may take longer for you to organise your project, but it will be a cheaper option. You can keep an eye out for sales on the items you want for your bathroom.
For me, one of the negatives for the above option is the sourcing of contractors. In the past, when I have sourced quotes from tradespeople for jobs, I found it overwhelming. I didn’t know what was a decent price, or if I was getting ripped off etc. However, ask around. Ask your neighbours, friend and family who have had bathroom work for recommendations.
DIY Bathroom Renovation?
You guys know, I love a good DIY, As there is a shower wall to remove from my ensuite and tiling and plumbing work. I won’t be doing it myself. However, a great way to save pennies is doing these jobs yourself. Please only undertake these jobs if you have the skill level to do so.
For me, I have saved money from doing DIY in other areas of my home. So, I am happy to spend on my bathroom for this project.
The Budget! How Much Does A Bathroom Renovation Cost
I asked some of my friends who had recently undertaken bathroom projects for a rough price. Some spent less than 2k while others spend close 6/7K!! It all depends on what you are getting done. Also, if your home is older, you may uncover problems when the builders move things around.
My budget for this project is 3k, including labour. However, I am aware that this could be naive, and I have some extra money put aside if I have problems along the way.
Unfortunately, non-essential building work cannot be undertaken as we are currently in level 5 lockdown in Ireland. However, I can use this to my advantage and use the extra time to plan and get quotes.
My next step with my bathroom renovation is to start doing my research and visiting showrooms (when possible) and DIY shops. I am going to investigate both options, and I will share my progress with you. I would love to have my ensuite bathroom renovation completed by Summer. However, I am flexible due to the current restrictions.
Check out my video below for a look at how I pulled my mood board and my tips. Subscribe to my channel and keep an eye out for future bathroom updates as I will share my progress with you. I hope you got some bathroom inspiration, please share if you have a bathroom project planned. Thanks for reading, Chat soon, Catherine.
“When you’re sitting on the toilet, you’re just staring at a white wall” 😂 Loved your advice for this weeks video; I would be like “huh?” whenever you’d mention an ensuite, lol. Also, noticing these last few videos how you’ve upped your camera/editing game. 🙌
When you mentioned a walk in glass shower and gold hardware my mind immediately went to Josie (FashionMumblr) & Charlie’s transformation of theirs in their new home. (http://www.fashionmumblr.com/2021/02/our-bathroom-transformation-how-to-make-a-small-bathroom-look-elegant.html)