My floor looks dirty quickly because the grout is too light and I chose the wrong vanity lightning.
The shower niches look nice but don't drain properly because they're not angled.
As a writer with kids, I'd long ago abandoned the dream of a bathroom remodel. Instead, I'd learned to live with perpetually loose floor tiles and a tub that was as shallow as it was short.
Then, one day, the shower wall caved in, exposing a gaping hole of black mold. Outwardly, I cursed our bad fortune. Inwardly, I threw back my head and silently screamed, "We're renovating!"
With the help of a small inheritance, we transformed our tiny, dilapidated bathroom into a clean and airy space that sparks joy whenever I use it.
The renovation required a full gut down to the studs. We moved the door, opened the ceiling, and splurged on a double vanity and high-end fixtures.
I made good calls and a few bad ones and probably spent 50,000 Canadian dollars (about $36,000) total.
Although I consulted with a designer and sought help from my design-savvy sister, there are a few things I'd definitely do differently next time.
I should've done my shower-niche homework.Who knew shower niches could be so stressful?
Chris Deacon
I added shower niches for storage and was thrilled with my design choices until I had my first shower and noticed water pooling in both shelves.
After a quick Google search, I realized the tiling at the bottom of a niche should be angled to let the water drain. I hadn't thought of this, and my contractor apparently hadn't either.
The niches aren't angled at all. Worse, they're in a part of the shower that gets especially wet.
They don't always dry between showers so, over time, water could seep through the tile and into the framing behind — which might eventually cause another mold problem.
A darker grout would've helped my floor tiles look cleaner. It's hard to keep my floors looking clean.
Chris Deacon
During the design process, I had to select a grout to accompany my beautiful white-gray Carrara marble tiles.
At the time, I chose a light color thinking it would seamlessly match the tiles — it did. Unfortunately, it's also a dirt magnet in the high-foot-traffic area around the sink.
No amount of scrubbing has helped thus far and comparing it to the pristine tile under the vanity hurts my heart a bit. Next time, I'll go at least two shades darker with floor grout to help mask the unavoidable grime of this busy zone.
I didn't appreciate the importance of specs.I had to pay to cut up my vanity because the plumbing was in the wrong spot.
Chris Deacon
It took forever to find the perfect floating vanity with drawers and space for two sinks. At last, I imported a beautiful fluted piece from Italy.
While awaiting its arrival, my contractor roughed in the plumbing based on the standard height for vanities. It turns out my piece was not standard — its cutouts for pipes didn't match up with the now-installed plumbing lines.
Fortunately, we were able to cut out a notch in the back of each of the drawers to accommodate pipes. This was better than buying a new piece, but it added another 400 Canadian dollars to my budget.
Next time, I'd ensure my contractor had all the specs before mounting or installing anything.
The lighting for my vanity area isn't great. With so many balls in the air, I didn't pay enough attention to some things, like my vanity lighting.
Chris Deacon
Although I'd put a lot of thought into the placement of pot lights in the ceiling, I neglected to do the same with vanity lighting.
Instead of, say, three lights placed at eye level or two over the mirrors, I settled on just one placed between the two mirrors. This was, in part, to save money.
But one light doesn't provide nearly enough illumination when you're using the mirrors. (Just ask my teens!)
I don't really have enough room for three sconces, but I wish I 'd at least placed one above each mirror. I'm now sourcing new (hopefully cheap) sconces, which I'll also have to pay an electrician to install. Ouch.
I wish I'd paid more attention when ordering my custom window. The window wasn't what I expected it to be.
Chris Deacon
When I discovered my existing window had to go, I knew I wanted to replace it with an industrial-style one complete with grilles running in a grid on the outside.
I could already picture the adorable piles of snow that would collect in the corners come December. Since I was so certain and so busy I ordered my window over the phone.
When the window arrived, I was shocked to find the grilles were between the sheets of glass. I'd never seen this design before, and it was definitely not my intended vibe.
It was a custom piece, so I couldn't return it. Instead, I focused on the positives: This was much cheaper and way easier to clean than the ones with grilles on the outside.
Since it's a small window, I've gotten used to it and even come to like it. But if ever I'm in a position to add windows to another room in my house, I'll spend more time and money to ensure I order the grilles on the outside.
