Mistakes to Avoid When Remodeling Your Bathroom

July 9, 2024

bathroom remodel professional retiling the walls

*Updated June 9th, 2025

A bathroom renovation is one of the most exciting home remodeling projects—but it can quickly turn overwhelming without a plan. With endless options, it’s easy to hit analysis paralysis and miss critical details. To help you dodge bathroom remodel mistakes, we’ve compiled a list of common mistakes to avoid when remodeling your bathroom.

1. Lack of a Game Plan in Place

Skipping the planning stage is one of the biggest mistakes to avoid in any bathroom remodel. Take the time to plan your bathroom layout on paper. Measure your shower, floor, vanity, toilet, and door clearances. Without a well-thought-out plan, you’re flirting with costly delays and renovation project headaches.

2. Overestimating Your Skillset

Remodeling your bathroom may seem DIY-friendly, but complex plumbing and electrical work is best left to a professional. One of the most costly mistakes is tackling advanced tasks without the right experience—plumbers and electricians ensure safe, code-compliant installs.

3. Insufficient Ventilation

Proper ventilation is essential in any bathroom renovation. Skipping an exhaust fan allows moisture to linger, leading to mold and mildew growth. This is a top bathroom renovation error that’s easily avoided by installing a correctly sized fan.

4. Valuing Looks Over Function

A pretty bathroom makeover is great—but not at the expense of usability. Avoid layouts that cram in a vessel sink, large tub, or oversized shower with no room to move. Prioritize traffic flow and storage space first for a functional and stylish renovation.

5. Neglecting a Plan for Lighting

Good lighting transforms a bathroom renovation, but poor lighting choices are another common renovation error. Blend task lighting around the vanity, overhead ambient lighting, and vanity mirror lights to avoid dim or harsh lighting conditions.

6. Don’t Forget Storage

It’s surprisingly easy to overlook storage during a planning a bathroom remodel. Built-in drawers, towel racks, medicine cabinets, or shower niches go a long way to prevent a cluttered and disorganized bathroom.

7. Rushing the Design Process

Don’t rush choosing materials—especially for floor tile, grout, or natural stone. A bathroom floor must withstand moisture and regular cleaning. Skimp on quality here, and you’ll soon regret it.

8. Failing to Accurately Estimate Budget

Underestimating remodel costs is a prime example of a bathroom renovation mistake. Add a 10–20% buffer for surprises like plumbing and electrical work to avoid going overboard mid-project.

9. Improper Layout

Designing a bathroom without considering real-world use is one of the most common mistakes to avoid in remodeling your bathroom. Ensure space for entry, door swings, and functional zones around the sink, tub, or shower.

10. Underestimating Timeline

Bathroom renovation projects almost always take longer than expected. Leave buffer room for permits, inspections, and delays—especially when you hit unforeseen issues behind walls or floors.

11. Overlooking Permits

Ignoring local building codes and permit requirements is a major error in a bathroom renovation. Permits are essential for plumbing changes, structural modifications, and safety compliance.

12. Choosing Unsuitable Materials

Investing in cheap, low-grade materials is one of the worst bathroom remodel mistakes. Opt for durable and moisture-resistant materials like porcelain tile, quality grout, solid surface countertops, and hardy fixtures for long-term performance.

13. Poor Contractor Selection

Hiring inexperienced contractors is a sure-fire way to botch your bathroom remodel. Always vet references, verify licensing, and seek professional bathroom remodeling services to ensure high-quality workmanship.

14. Inefficient Space Utilization

Even with a good design, improper placement of fixtures can thwart an otherwise excellent bathroom renovation. Prioritize functional space planning so your new bathroom feels intuitive and comfortable.

In Conclusion

A bathroom remodel is a big investment—but by avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll set yourself up for success. With proper planning, smart budgeting, and the right professionals, your bathroom renovation can deliver a stylish, functional space that adds enjoyment—and value—to your home.

To find a Local Bathroom Remodel Pro who can help you, click here!

FAQs

What adds the most value to a bathroom?

Upgrading the shower or tub—especially with a modern, well-designed shower pan, shower floor, or tub-to-shower conversion—can yield significant ROI in a bathroom renovation.

What color bathroom sells the most?

Light tones like pale blue are popular, but sticking with neutral palettes ensures your bathroom makeover appeals widely and avoids color fatigue.

What do buyers look for in a bathroom?

According to NAHB, must-haves include a shower stall or tub, linen storage, and a double vanity in primary bathrooms—features that significantly contribute to resale appeal.

Additional Bathroom Remodel Resources