Top 5 Bathroom Design Mistakes First-Time Renovators Always Regret
Planning your first bathroom renovation? Avoid these common design traps that can cost you time, money, and daily frustration.
Renovating a bathroom is exciting — but if you're doing it for the first time, it's easy to get swept up in the fun stuff (like tile samples and tapware) and overlook the foundational decisions that actually make a bathroom work.
At The Bathroom Guide, we’ve seen hundreds of bathrooms, and the same design mistakes keep popping up. Here's what to watch out for — and what to do instead.
1. Poor Layout Planning
Mistake: Thinking you can just "replace what's there" without improving the layout.
Many first-time renovators assume they have to stick to the existing plumbing layout. While this might save on costs upfront, it often results in a bathroom that looks new but still doesn’t function well.
🚫 Common issues:
Toilet is the first thing you see when the door opens
Shower screen hits the vanity
Not enough clearance for drawers or swinging doors
✅ What to do instead:
Invest time into reworking the layout for flow, access, and usability. Even small tweaks — like flipping the vanity and toilet — can make a massive difference. If you're unsure, seek help from a bathroom layout specialist (we offer online layout and design services that make this part easy).
2. Forgetting About Lighting Layers
Mistake: Relying on one overhead light for everything.
Good lighting is more than just brightness. Without the right layers, your bathroom can feel flat, harsh, and uninspiring — especially during your night-time wind-down routine.
🚫 Common issues:
Shadows on your face at the vanity
Bright lights only — no ambient options
Lack of lighting inside niches or mirrors
✅ What to do instead:
Think in layers: general lighting, task lighting, and ambient lighting. Include things like wall sconces, recessed LEDs, and niche strip lights to create a spa-like mood and improve functionality. Plan your electrical before walls are sheeted!
3. Skimping on Storage
Mistake: Underestimating how much you need to store.
Minimalist looks are great — until you have nowhere to stash your skincare, hair tools, or spare toilet rolls. First-timers often forget to allow for real-life storage.
🚫 Common issues:
No drawers in the vanity
No overhead storage or shaving cabinet
No towel hooks or shelving
✅ What to do instead:
Design your storage around your habits. Opt for drawers over cupboards, consider a shaving cabinet, and think vertically — use wall space! Add built-in niches, tall cabinets, or under-bench baskets to avoid clutter.
4. Choosing Trend Over Timeless
Mistake: Going all-in on trending styles that date quickly.
Instagram and Pinterest are full of bold ideas — but what looks great today might feel tired in 2 years. We've seen many renovators regret choices that felt "fun" in the moment but became visually overwhelming or hard to pair with accessories.
🚫 Common issues:
Loud patterned tiles everywhere
Trendy tapware colours that clash with future updates
Overly complicated tile patterns that inflate labour costs
✅ What to do instead:
Use trends strategically. Introduce them through changeable items like paint, towels, or vanity handles. Stick to classic tones and materials for fixed items (like tiles or major fittings) and add personality in layers.
5. Ignoring Natural Light and Ventilation
Mistake: Failing to improve the bathroom window or airflow.
Bathrooms are moist environments — and without enough natural light or airflow, you risk mould, odours, and a space that feels dark and depressing. Many renovators skip window upgrades, but this can have a big impact on both function and feel.
🚫 Common issues:
Small or poorly placed windows
No ventilation fan (or not strong enough)
No privacy screening, so windows stay shut
✅ What to do instead:
Look into replacing your window if it's dated or too small. We love a frosted fixed panel with a clear sliding top window — it gives privacy without blocking light. Always include a good extraction fan, especially in bathrooms without direct sunlight.
Your bathroom is one of the hardest-working rooms in your home — and one of the most expensive to renovate. Making smart design choices early on will save you from costly mistakes and daily annoyances.
Whether you're unsure about layout, lighting, or selecting finishes, we’re here to help. Our Bathroom Design Services offer expert support at any stage — from floor plan review to full-service design.
🛁 Need help with your bathroom plans? Book a design session with us here →
P.S We know planning a bathroom renovation can be overwhelming!
Stay organised, save money, and avoid costly mistakes with our all-in-one renovation template!
