Are you tired of your old bath and plain white tiles? Planning your dream bathroom doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right approach, you can create an eye-catching space that suits your style, needs and budget.
Whether you’re updating a small ensuite bathroom or redesigning a shared family bathroom, it starts with gathering inspiration and understanding how you want the space to work to put your stamp on your own bathroom. From layout to trends, setting a budget to creating a mood board, we’ll break down the steps to help you make your vision a reality.
At HR Simply Bespoke, we’ll take you through our guide to what outstanding looks like in 2025…
Bathroom Renovation Planning
Get Ideas
Explore inspiration from online and social media
Browse websites, magazines, or social media (like Pinterest and Instagram) for bathroom design ideas. You’ll discover trends you might not have considered which opens up a range of styles and helps you spot new possibilities you may not have thought of. Whether it be fancy floor tiles, bathroom walls or a roll top bath you’ll always discover something you like.
Check multiple sources for ideas
Look at a variety of sources, from design blogs to home improvement shows. You’ll come across styles and options that suit your taste and needs. This ensures you’re aware of all the options available, making it easier to refine your vision and not have any regret afterwards.
Focus on key elements that catch your eye
Pay attention to the colours, materials, textures, and layouts that grab your attention. This helps you narrow down what you really want and simplifies decision-making as you move forward with your project.
Plan the Layout
Where do you want your sink, shower and storage?
Ensure you take your time to think about how each fixture fits in the space and how they will work together. Have a think about where you want everything from your primary bath to your vanity unit. Place the essentials where they make the most sense for both functionality and aesthetics and build around them. A well-planned layout means your bathroom will be both practical and stylish.
How much space does each fixture need for comfort and ease of use?
Ensure there’s enough room around each fixture for easy access and movement. A cramped layout can feel frustrating and can be one of the main sources of regret if you don’t take into account. Make sure you give yourself some breathing space and wiggle room. Comfort is key!
Everything in it’s place for easy movement.
Think of the room as a whole. Keep “traffic” areas clear and place your items logically to create a natural flow. This will make your bathroom feel open and spacious, allowing you to move around freely without having to squeeze past anything… there’s nothing worse.
Set a Budget
How much are you willing to spend on fixtures, materials, and labour?
Knowing your budget helps you stay on track and ensures you make smart decisions about where to allocate your funds, so you can achieve the bathroom you want without overspending, you don’t want to get to the end of your dream bathroom renovation and have to sacrifice things.
Must-haves and some wiggle room for extras.
It’s important to allow a little flexibility in your budget for any unexpected costs, like last-minute changes or upgrades you might want to include along the way.
Stick to your budget so you don’t go over.
This can definitely be easier said than done, however staying within your budget ensures you don’t face any financial stress later on. You’ll be able to enjoy your new bathroom without worrying about extra costs creeping up.
Research and Visualise
Research current trends like smart showers or eco-friendly options.
Staying up to date with the latest trends will not only give your bathroom a modern vibe but could also boost its long-term value. Think energy-efficient lighting or water-saving fixtures for a more sustainable space, if you can get them installed now then you’ll benefit massively in the long term.
Which trends will make your bathroom more functional and long-lasting.
Choosing features that are both stylish and durable means your bathroom will be practical and stand the test of time, offering both comfort and making it easy to maintain.
Create a mood board to collect images and visualise your dream bathroom.
A mood board helps you clearly define your style, which will guide your choices throughout the process. It’s also a great way to keep track of your vision, ensuring consistency in your design.
Now you’re ready to start designing your dream bathroom. What do you want most from your space? Style, comfort or practicality?
Bathroom Renovation Essentials
Lighting and Electrical
Plan your lighting, where and what.
Lighting can make a huge difference in a bathroom. Think about where you want the lights to go to brighten up key areas like the mirror, walk in shower, or bath to help give those areas the wow factor.
Use LED lighting for a bright and energy-saving space.
LED lights are long-lasting, energy-efficient, and provide excellent illumination, creating a modern feel while keeping your bills low.
Consider a heated floor or towel rail for extra comfort.
A heated floor or towel rail adds a touch of luxury and comfort, particularly on cold mornings. They also help dry your towels faster whilst still keeping them nice and soft.
Make sure your outlets and switches are safe and accessible.
Proper placement of outlets and switches keeps your space safe and user-friendly, ensuring easy access to power when you need it. The last thing you want is to make a mistake when planning and not being able to use one of them due to safety concerns!
Small Bathroom Solutions
Use mirrors and lighting to make the space feel bigger.
Mirrors and well-placed lighting can open up even the smallest bathroom, creating the illusion of a larger, more airy space. The bigger the bathroom can look the more you can relax when using it.
Choose compact fixtures and storage solutions.
We recommend slimline sinks or showers and smart bathroom storage options to maximise every inch of your bathroom without sacrificing any of the functionality.
Wall-mount toilet or sink to save floor space.
Wall-mounted fixtures free up valuable floor space, making the room feel less cramped while still offering you all the practicality you need.
Pedestal sink or corner sink to make the space feel more open.
Pedestal or corner-mounted sinks help create more visible floor space, giving the room a feeling of being more open and airy.
Skylight or bigger window to bring in natural light.
Natural light makes a huge difference, brightening up a small bathroom and making the space feel larger and more inviting. There are many different ways you can implement a window in your bathroom renovation project to take the overall feel up of it up a level.
Bathroom Transformations
Get inspired by real bathroom transformations with before-and-after pics.
Before-and-after photos from real-life renovations give you a solid idea of what’s possible and can spark new ideas for your project. There are plenty of pages out there on social media so take your time to look through them before settling on your dream bathroom. You can spend hours down a rabbit hole on Tik-Tok or Pinterest looking at everything from panelled walls to vanity units right the way down to an unusual bath or toilet. Take a look at how people have made the most of space in their en suite. This will give you a great starting point for your design ideas.
Read testimonials and reviews from people who have done a bathroom renovation.
Learning from others who have been through a renovation process can help you identify what works, what doesn’t and avoid common mistakes. You need peace of mind to know you are making the right decisions with such a big part of your home.
Find ideas and inspiration from different styles.
Explore various styles and bathroom design ideas to discover what suits your taste and meets your functional needs.
Get a professional to help with your renovation.
Hiring a professional can ensure your project runs smoothly, stays on budget, is compliant with regulations and meets your expectations. Don’t cut corners and take on somebody who isn’t an expert in this area or try it yourself if you’re not skilled to do so…you’ll more than likely end up paying twice!
Research the latest bathroom trends and must-haves.
Staying up-to-date with the latest trends helps ensure your bathroom renovation is modern, practical, and may even add value to your home which is always a nice added bonus.
What Next?
Renovating your bathroom is an exciting and rewarding project, but it’s essential to plan every detail carefully. From lighting and layout to choosing the right fixtures, there are so many areas where the saying “fail to prepare, prepare to fail” can come into play!
If you’re ready to bring your vision to life, call HR Simply Bespoke today. Our experienced team is here to guide you through every step of the process and deliver a bathroom renovation that exceeds your expectations. Let’s make your dream bathroom a reality!
