Everything you need to know about bathroom renovation

In 10 steps to a new bathroom

Bought a brand new bathroom or renovated the old one? Outsource or do it yourself? Whatever you choose, with every bathroom installation, it's important to have a clear idea of ​​what needs to be done and how to do it. You don't want to find yourself with a toilet already installed and pipes still not properly connected. Renovating or installing a bathroom involves a lot of work. Worried you'll be overwhelmed? Don't worry! In this blog post, we'll take you step by step and tell you what to consider when installing your dream bathroom.

Step 1: Prepare

It's a cliché, but here too, good preparation is half the battle! So start at the beginning: mapping out your wishes and the possibilities. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How big is my bathroom? How wide, high, and spacious is it? A freestanding bathtub is beautiful, but is there really enough space for it?
• Who will I share my bathroom with? Consider the number of family members/other bathroom users and consider the future. Will there be any children, and is the bathroom elderly-friendly?
• You guessed it: what is my (maximum) budget?

Then you can gather inspiration. Take your time! It would be a shame if the bathroom is finished and it ultimately disappoints... Our tip: find inspiration in trade journals and interior design magazines, in showrooms, and online. Check out Mastello's inspiration page , where you'll find tons of beautiful bathroom ideas. Don't forget to take screenshots and photos of colors, materials, objects, and more. You can compile these on a mood board. This way, you organize your ideas and quickly see what works and what doesn't.

Bonus tip: be bold and ask if you can peek into your neighbors' bathroom. "Neighboring houses" often have the same layout, so this way you can see what's possible. It's a great way to come up with some surprising ideas!

Step 2: Design

It's wise to draw out the bathroom design on paper (or online). This way, you (or the builder) will know exactly where everything will go. Draw it to scale, so you create a kind of floor plan and can also determine whether everything fits. This is also called a floor plan. Draw the floor plan to a scale of 1/50, so divide all distances in centimeters by 50. This way, you can often fit the entire floor plan of your bathroom on an A4 sheet of paper. Then cut out cards to the same scale with all the elements you want to place (most bathroom furniture and fixtures are the same size). Start piecing together until you've found the right layout.

In addition to a floor plan, it's also wise to create a lighting plan. A lighting plan is created by measuring and recording all electrical data. Determine how many light points, where they are located, and what function you need the lighting for (basic, functional, or ambient, for example).

Step 3: Purchase tools and materials

Once you've got a clear idea of ​​what you want and where you want it, it's time to make the actual purchase. Just keep in mind that you'll often have to wait a long time for delivery, sometimes—especially with custom-made products—up to several weeks. Therefore, make sure you purchase all your materials and furniture in a timely manner. Map out what's coming when, so you know exactly when you can get started. Besides materials and furniture, you'll also need tools to install the bathroom. A trip to the hardware store is definitely recommended.

Tip: When purchasing furniture and bathroom fixtures, consider not only aesthetics but also durability and ease of maintenance. You naturally want your bathroom to last, and not having to scrub every day is also nice. Design and functionality go hand in hand, as Mastello's teak bathroom furniture and faucets prove beyond compare.

Step 4: Demolish

Before the new bathroom can go in, the old one has to come out. That can only mean one thing: demolition! We don't really have any tips for that, other than to wear gloves and safety glasses. Good luck!

Step 5: Check drain pipes and supply valves

Is the old bathroom out? Great! Then it's still important to check the drain pipes and supply valves. Check if they're still working properly and replace them where necessary!

Step 6: Determine dimensions and location

Check the supply taps? Check the drain pipes? Then it's time to lay out the dimensions in the bathroom. This way, you'll know exactly where the fixtures and bathroom furniture should be placed, such as the toilet, shower and/or bathtub, and vanity. For specific installation dimensions, such as drain dimensions, you can use the drawing below. Everything is laid out for you here!

Need to check the dimensions? Then you can determine the location. Consider the location of drains, pipes, wall sockets, and the like.

Step 7: Milling slots

Now that the dimensions and location are clear, you can start milling grooves. Milling is recommended for installing gas, electrical, and water pipes. Visible water and electrical lines are anything but aesthetically pleasing. Milling allows you to easily conceal pipes in a trench that you can then close up later.

Step 8: plastering

Once the grooves are cut and the water and electrical lines are laid, you can start plastering. Plastering is also a precision job. If you don't have experience with it, have it done by a professional: a plasterer. The floor also needs to be leveled.

Step 9: Tiling and grouting

Step 9 involves tiling and grouting the tiles. It's very important to grout the floor and wall tiles carefully. Before laying the tiles, apply a bonding agent to the wall tiles. This ensures a smooth finish and improves the watertightness of your tiling. Curious about how to tile? YouTube has numerous videos explaining tiling and grouting in detail. Be sure to check it out!

Step 10: Install sanitary facilities

Once the tiles are in place, you can start installing the fixtures. Think about the bath, shower, toilet, vanity, and lighting. Work from top to bottom and use the image above to see where the fixtures should go!

So, a complete step-by-step guide for installing your new bathroom. Now you can get started yourself! If it doesn't quite work out, don't hesitate to ask for help. Installing a bathroom is and always will be a big job!