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Bathroom renovations: 12 ideas and a step-by-step plan

What to upgrade, in what order, and the mistakes to avoid.

Beige marble-tile bathroom with a glass shower, wall-hung WC, lit wall niche and a vessel basin on a dark marble counterInspiration

Planning bathroom renovations can feel overwhelming, but most projects follow the same order. Get the hidden work right, like plumbing and waterproofing, and the visible upgrades last for years. Skip it, and even expensive tiles fail.

Here are 12 renovation upgrades, followed by a step-by-step plan.

Bathroom with wood-look plank tiles in the shower, a glass partition, stone-cladding wall and a round backlit mirrorInspiration

01New CPVC plumbing

Replace rusted GI pipes with CPVC for hot and cold water.

Bathroom with gold-veined white marble walls, a dark marble floor, floating vanity, capsule backlit mirror and walk-in showerInspiration

02Proper waterproofing

A waterproof coating on the floor and lower walls stops seepage.

03Concealed cistern WC

A wall-hung WC with concealed cistern saves space and looks clean.

04Glass shower partition

Keeps the rest of the bathroom dry.

05Large-format tiles

Fewer grout lines, easier cleaning, modern look.

06Wall-hung vanity

Storage that stays off the wet floor.

07Better lighting

Mirror lights plus a moisture-rated ceiling light.

08Exhaust fan

Essential in windowless bathrooms to prevent mould.

09Shower niche

Built-in storage for toiletries.

10PVC false ceiling

Hides pipes and is fully waterproof.

11Anti-skid floor

Safer for every age.

12Thermostatic shower

Steady water temperature for comfort and safety.

Step-by-step bathroom renovation plan

  1. Inspect: check for leaks, seepage and old pipes.
  2. Design: layout, fittings, tiles and storage.
  3. Demolish: remove old tiles and fittings.
  4. Plumbing and electrical: new pipes, points and geyser line.
  5. Waterproofing: floor and lower walls, with slope to the drain.
  6. Tiling: floor and walls, with epoxy grout.
  7. Fixtures: WC, basin, shower, accessories.
  8. Finishing: vanity, mirror, ceiling, lights.

Common mistakes to avoid: skipping waterproofing, wrong floor slope, cheap fittings that rust, and no ventilation.

Materials and rough cost factors

  • Scope: refresh vs full rebuild.
  • Size of the bathroom.
  • Tiles, sanitaryware and fittings brands.
  • Plumbing and waterproofing extent.
  • Vanity, partition and ceiling.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What is the first step in a bathroom renovation?+

Inspect for leaks, seepage and old plumbing, then plan the layout and fittings.

Is waterproofing necessary in bathroom renovations?+

Yes. Without it, water seeps into walls and floors below.

Can I renovate a bathroom without breaking tiles?+

Partial upgrades like fittings, vanity and lighting are possible, but leaks and waterproofing issues need tiles removed.

How long does a bathroom renovation take?+

A full renovation takes longer because of plumbing and waterproofing; smaller upgrades take a few days.

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