7 Costly Mistakes You're Making In The Bathroom + How To Avoid Them

If you make any design mistakes in the bathroom, they’re probably going to be those eye-watering costly ones. Everything is plumbed in, tiled and grouted. It’s so permanent.

This is why it’s important to plan everything to within an inch, actually to a millimetre, of its life.

The key is thorough planning and research. You’re going to sink a decent amount of money into your bathroom and you don’t want to pour it down the drain, so to speak.

Rely on your tapware, tile and stone suppliers and ask a lot of questions about maintenance, slip ratings, lead times and tell them your plans.

Below are some common mistakes I see in bathroom design, and my tips on how to avoid them!

Mistake #1: Placing the toilet in a line of sight

It’s not ideal to be able to see the toilet when you’re standing at your kitchen bench preparing dinner.

I don’t know about you, but when the sightline from the kitchen through to the open door of a powder room leads directly to the toilet, preparing food seems a bit icky.

The only thing worse than that is when you can see the toilet in your ensuite from your bed, it’s not restful nor is it romantic.

The toilet should be tucked away behind the door, at the very least. Ideally it should be against a wall where it can’t be seen when the door is open (like the examples above).

Mistake #2: Choosing the wrong tiles for your shower

There are a few tiles that I love, but they will never get close to a shower, let alone inside one. They are just not up for that amount of water and soapy substances.

I love mosaic tiles however I wouldn’t wish them on my worst enemy in a shower. Mosaic tiles are small, and the smaller the tile – the more grout will be used. And I don’t want you spending your time scrubbing the bottom section of your shower where the grout has discoloured. Life is too short for that.

I’d also watch out for zellige tiles in the shower, their beautiful handmade nature means they can be less hard wearing and more prone to chip than other tiles. Their irregularities can also make them a little harder to clean than other tiles.

Finally, slip rating is also a major consideration for floor tiles in a shower.

The key is talking to your local tile store. Tell them about how you plan to use the tile. Ask them if the tile has a suitable slip rating for a shower and for their advice on choosing the grout colour – they talk tiles all day and are there to help you.

Mistake #3: Choosing a porous stone for bathroom surfaces

Some types of natural stone shouldn’t be inside a shower or on a bathroom benchtop, such as unfilled travertine, and — to think of it — not even filled travertine. It’s is such a soft stone and although it’s beautiful, she is high maintenance. Don’t even THINK about getting your Shower Power cleaners anywhere near her – even setting the bottle on your stone vanity top will leave a permanent ring stain.

If you want to use natural stone in these areas, it is entirely possible, but be sure to ask your supplier which stone types are suitable for wet areas. It’s totally dependent on the type of stone and even the format (shape of the stone tile).

When used in wet areas or on high traffic surfaces, natural stone should be sealed too (this can be done by the stonemason who installs it).

Mistake #4: Misaligning your tiles

Maybe it’s just me but when the wall tiles meet the floor tiles and the grout lines don’t quite align, it really bothers me. You too? I just can’t let that one go.

The key here is planning. Tilers are not mind-readers, and yet a good tiler will carefully plan where joins and grout lines fall. If a tile is exactly the same size on the floor and walls, then your tiler should ensure grout lines match up.

If you don’t want to rely on telepathy when renovating your bathroom, a drawing will communicate the orientation and general arrangement you want for the tiles. You will show on the floor plan where the tile set-out point is, for instance you might want a full tile at the door way – tell them this on the drawing. Then the tiles will be set out from there.

It is devastating when you’ve just spend a small fortune on the tiles, and waited for months to receive them, only to see them laid incorrectly. So best to make a plan for exactly the direction and pattern you want. And get a good tiler!

Mistake #5: Selecting an impractical basin

There’s nothing more annoying than a vessel basin (a salad bowl type that sits on the top of the vanity top) with little kids. Water splashes on the sides, between the mirror and basin and it’s all a bit of a mess.

However, if you want a statement basin for your ensuite, then go for it.

My point is, there’s no one basin to suit all. So consider how you will use your space. Check that the tapware is compatible and the distances work between spout, lever, basin and bowl.

Mistake #6: Installing your mirror too high

If a mirror being too high is not a problem for you, then skip this one but, for the rest of us shorties, it’s SO ANNOYING.

We can tell when a tall tradie has decided to install the mirror at a perfect height for his face – but what about your face? Can you even see yourself there?

Carefully consider the perfect height for your mirror, taking into account who will be using the bathroom, and communicate this information in a drawing.

Mistake #7: Installing overhead or back lighting

Is there anything worse than bad lighting in the bathroom mirror?

Be very specific choosing the lighting fittings and the placement of the lights.

Make sure there is lighting in front of your face when you look in the mirror. A harsh light behind you or directly above is no good, it’s only going to cast unflattering shadows on your face. Instead, try a gorgeous wall light, alongside the mirror.

The key is to provide ambient lighting, such as a dimmable wall light, combined with task lighting for make-up and shaving.