Bathroom Design Mistakes (And How To Fix Them!)

In this video, I go over some of the biggest bathroom design mistakes and I tell you how to fix them! Bathrooms are small spaces with water and humidity issues and they can be a real minefield for design mistakes! I compile a list of bad bathroom design mistakes I see people make over an over again so you can learn for them and design your perfect bathroom!

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⏱ Timestamps:
00:00 - Bathroom design mistakes and how to fix them
00:36 - Choosing the wrong contractor
02:03 - Barn doors
03:22 - Water and humidity issues
04:26 - Not considering a floating vanity or toilet
05:26 - Moving plumbing unnecessarily
06:37 - Installing carpet in the bathroom
07:10 - Slippery shower tile
08:11 - Poor lighting
09:32 - Not keeping a bathtub
10:58 - Themed rooms
12:18 - Vinyl shower curtains
13:20 - Door clearance issues
14:15 - Unclear tile direction
15:26 - Not enough storage
16:37 - Overlooking grout color

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[lelandunruh]

Pro-tip: most shower liners can be machine-washed on delicate. If you have mildew or the kind of brown line pictured here a quick wash can make it look nearly new. (And yes, I know a shower liner only costs $10 or less and it feels weird putting plastic in the washing machine, but $10 means something for some people! Also, it is nice to not have to throw away and buy new stuff sometimes.)

[alexismarin]

Great tips, as always! I'm surprised to didn't mention the mistake of not considering the view from *outside* the bathroom when the bathroom door is open. When I renovated my basement bathroom, I moved the door location so that when it's open, the vanity is visible from the couch, not the toilet. I'm so glad I did it!

[stuckinmopro]

While I understand your aversion to the barn doors that allow various sights and sounds to escape I must mention that they are a god send for those of us who are confined to a wheelchair. They make maneuvering in and out of the room so much easier and safer for us.

[creech]

I went over to a friend's new house for a dinner, they were so proud of their new place. Unfortunately the guest bathroom was off the kitchen/dining area and had a barn door. At some point of course people needed to use the restroom and a couple of people asked where the bathroom was, and the host would just point at the barn door, but people would then ask if they could use another bathroom and the host seemed upset no one would use the "guest" bathroom and had to use the master bath which was through their bedroom and a messy walkthrough closet. People just refused to use the bathroom with the barn door, many people just left early.

[sarahwbs]

Also, I don't care how fancy your bathroom is, always have an extra roll of toilet paper in reach of the toilet! Nothing worse than visiting someone and finding yourself stuck with no toilet paper.

[jrochest]

Barn doors on bathrooms MY GOD YOU ARE SO RIGHT. The architect who designed my attic insisted on a barn door on the bath for a bed-sitting space. I'm so glad that I finally thought for a second about auditory privacy and changed it to double doors that actually shut.

[vajaradakini]

With the bathtub thing: even if you don't use a bathtub normally, they're useful if you get injured. I sprained my ankle last year and couldn't stand up to shower for a few weeks so I had to take baths. I don't like taking baths, but it was great to have the tub when I really needed it.

[shelaghjackson]

We redid our master bathroom two years ago and....phew! is done very well and we love it.
The only thing Nick did not mention is that if you are already ripping the room apart, install the very best grab bars in the shower and bath area that you can afford.
We did, they look like towel bars, and they are the best ever as you age.
They cost a fortune, can’t remember the manufacturer, but so happy we got those ones.
They are solid.
I agree about pedestal things with no storage.
We are using the same contractor right now for our kitchen reno.

[gerrypower]

Actually changing your mind is the most costly mistake you can make. There are loads of designers who will gladly design your bathroom for a modest fee. Plan it once, review it thoroughly, get bids, and make NO changes. Contractors LOVE change orders because it's carte blanche to charge what they think you can afford to pay.

[MoniMinx]

Another reason for a bathtub other than kids: health stuff. I'm young, single, no kids, but I have chronic pain and need to soak regularly to reduce symptoms 😅😅😅 and I've passed on so many amazing apartment rentals because they don't have tubs and it's really annoying 😅😅😅 I can't wait to own my own dream place

[amberbanuelos]

My girls wanted their bathroom to be mermaid themed, but I’m trying to keep it subtle. A mermaid picture with an inspirational quote (In a sea of fish, be a mermaid), a shell serving as a pot for a tiny faux succulent, and a light blue color for the walls. The kitsch makes them happy (my oldest is 7), but I’ve tried to keep it so I can easily make it more grown up. I’d never do that to my own bathroom, but I was outnumbered three to one on some of the design choices 😂

[SirPoofyPants]

One thing that bothers me to no end in bathrooms is when the sink faucet is way too short so that it barely clears the edge of the sink.
The sink drain is in the center of the sink so the faucet should be aligned to land above the drain.
Why to I have to bump my hands against the edge of the sink every time I wash them?

Kitchen sinks generally have this done well, wtf bathroom sinks.

[marylouwu]

When someone goes into the bathroom of my niece’s apartment, her cat always comes and slides the barn door back open! Surprise!

[calliewalsh]

To the point about moving plumbing: As a General Contractor I would advise to have your plumber and carpenter take a look at your space early on before you get your heart set about moving fixtures. They can advise you of any options for moving fixtures as it's not only which way the floor joists are running but also the path and elevation of the lines to consider.

Another good tip, if you're going to go with black grout, make sure you get a REALLY good tiler. It's very easy to spot mistakes when your tile is a very different color from your grout. Your average Joe handyman isn't going to be able to pull it off

[amywi]

So on point!! "There are sounds and smells" 😂 Ha, ha, love it!! I mean common sense, but love the comic relief. Also, the "worm" is a pain to clean!! Hate it too!

[PaulaJoW]

'When you get out of the tub make sure you don't hit your head on a stupid chandelier." "I don't have kids because you know I don't care for children." hahaha

[mschenandlerbong]

Controversial opinion: I despise double sinks. My husband and I are literally never in the bathroom at the same time. I would give anything to have ONE sink to clean and a ton more counter space. I would change it, except for the same reason you don't ax your bathtub...resale. If we ever get the forever house, it's gone.

[lauriecolvin]

I've renovated a few bathrooms and learned that pedestal sinks and claw foot tubs are impractical. Bathrooms should have as much counter space as possible. Nothing worse than trying to find room for things. It's interesting to see how living improvements are made through the years and then people want to return to something nostalgic but inferior. Barn doors belong in barns.

[jayare]

"It's well-documated how much I hate barn doors...." 🤣🤣