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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask what bathroom mistakes you have made

321 replies

Egoanono · 20/10/2016 14:54

Doing up the bathroom at the mo, ripping it out and starting from scratch. Mid range budget but want a high end finish. I'd love to learn from your mistakes (and successes! please.

OP posts:
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atticusclaw2 · 20/10/2016 14:55

do not let your tiler get away with using any chipped tiles. It will drive you mad forever.

Check the room carefully at the end of every day and point out issues first thing the next day.

badtasteflump · 20/10/2016 14:56

Ha ha I clicked on this because I thought it was going to be a Poo Troll thread Grin

So nothing helpful to say - sorry Smile

badtasteflump · 20/10/2016 14:57

Ooh actually I can think of one! Fit in the biggest shower cubicle you possibly can.

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 20/10/2016 14:57

Don't get a glass shelf to put your toothbrushes etc on! We had one in our old house and it always looked dirty/smeary. I'd clean it and then it would immediately get dripped on...Angry

Original poster
Egoanono · 20/10/2016 14:58

Ha ha, badtastefump. Sorry to disappoint 😉

OP posts:
LizardBreath · 20/10/2016 14:58

Same as badtaste was thinking more 'I shat in the sink type posts!

Tiles on all, or at least more than just around shower etc would be my tip though.

seminakedinsomebodyelsesroom · 20/10/2016 15:00

We made the mistake of choosing tiles that were un-glazed natural stone. They went mouldy and looked crap very quickly.

I would recommend getting a heated mirror though, that was one of my favourite things about our last bathroom. Oh and having the light switch outside the door on dimmer so you can have nice low lighting for relaxing bath or bright lights for make up/shaving etc.

seminakedinsomebodyelsesroom · 20/10/2016 15:00

I also thought poo troll at first though!

plimsolls · 20/10/2016 15:01

My builder totally tiled in the bath and the toilet cistern. That means if there is a leak under the bath or ever any problems with the toilet cistern, we'll have to smash the tiles up.

Unfortunately I didn't notice this until after we had already "fallen out" over several other aspects of shoddy work.

I don't know if you want any tips but one of the points I am most pleased about daily was that I put the controls for the shower just outside not inside the enclosure meaning you can turn it on and let it run warm before you get wet!

TheCatsMother99 · 20/10/2016 15:01

Completely agree with Atticus, check at the end of each day and bring anything you're not happy with to their attention before they start the next day.

Also, make sure you know exactly what they mean by certain things and are specific or show actual photos. In my last house the person doing my bathroom kept talking about a shower screen (and I'd said I wanted a plain one), then a day or so before he was due to finish he mentioned a curtain and I realised he was going to put a pole up.

I HATE shower curtains as they give me the heebiejeebies when they touch your leg as you're showering.

Anyway, I'm glad I got the glass shower screen and not a pole and curtain and that we realised our crossed wires before it was too late but it's highlighted how important it is to make sure you're all talking about the same thing and are on the same page.

OdeToAutumn · 20/10/2016 15:03

IToldYou.... I have this problem !!! We have 3 electric toothbrushes so I can't just put them in a container or something. Did you find a solution ?! I've been trying to leave them to dry before putting them on shelf but there's no way DH will remember to do this every time

KC225 · 20/10/2016 15:04

DH was paranoid about waterproof paint and the bathroom being damp. He used this waterproof boat paint which is less yacht and more yuk. He's a month for me to warm to it and I am changing it.

Another thing, don't underestimate storage. I know bathroom cabinets are not very fashionable at the moment as all in interior mags seem to go for ornate mirrors. But where does all the stuff go. All those products, lotions and potions, all the tooth stuff etc. If you have the space basin with drawers.

Original poster
Egoanono · 20/10/2016 15:06

Any recommendations on where to (or not) get suites please?

OP posts:
OdeToAutumn · 20/10/2016 15:07

Also agree with seminaked (love the name ... got the song in my head now !) about getting a dimmer switch. I forgot and I now have to not turn on lights if I use loo in middle of the night as I can't stand the light being so strong.
Also look up look up best lighting positions for mirror if you plan to use it for make up, apparently a light directly above is not good but I can't remember any further detail !

ElspethFlashman · 20/10/2016 15:11

I have two tiny bathrooms and NO storage. Drives me bananas. I end up with those sisal boxes on the floor tucked in behind the loo. It's not great.

I'm going to put a shelf above the door for bleach etc as Im afraid to have them on the floor with little ones and right now they're locked inconveniently in the kitchen.

The couple of things I did right though are a) having the biggest shower cubicle we could fit in (1100 size). Even 42 weeks pregnant I had loads of room.

And B) having a lighted mirror that's wired on the light switch outside the room. I don't even bother with the overhead light anymore as that one is so flattering and soft yet you can really examine your pores. Grin

atticusclaw2 · 20/10/2016 15:12

yes in terms of lighting you should apparently have one each side of the mirror with the bulbs just above your eyeline.

We've bought lots of suff from victoria plum. Sinks and vanity units from ikea.

Comedyusername · 20/10/2016 15:13

My mother in law's fancy pants bathroom sink is a nightmare because the angle of the sink and the angle of the tap mean you end up with a wet crotch. Don't know how you go about checking this before you install it though!

ElspethFlashman · 20/10/2016 15:16

This is similar to mine. I luffs it.

To ask what bathroom mistakes you have made
DubiousCredentials · 20/10/2016 15:16

Don't have a cabinet above the sink as your heavy pot of moisturiser WILL fall out and WILL chop the sink Sad

DubiousCredentials · 20/10/2016 15:17

*chip not chop lol

ElspethFlashman · 20/10/2016 15:17

Oh another rip is to buy a cheap toilet, but swap the toilet seat out for something much better. Cheap loos have flimsy seats that crack.

YelloDraw · 20/10/2016 15:19

This is great because I am about to do my bathroom! Tell me allyour do and don'ts please

atticusclaw2 · 20/10/2016 15:19

IMO don't have a stupid pop up waste with a deep bath. They simply can't cope with the weight of the water.

Mine gets popped up to drain the water, within seconds its been pushed back down again so after three or four times of this happening I stick my hand in and pull the damn thing out. So I might as well just have had a plug on a chain (which I have done in this new bathroom which is midway through being fitted).

Tissunnyupnorth · 20/10/2016 15:19

The cool and trendy 'satsuma' tiles loooked good in the showroom...however out of the glossy small space of the showroom they looked dreadful in our bathroom!

And because DH had been so dubious originally....I still pretend now that I love them.

FlyingElbows · 20/10/2016 15:21

The biggest bathroom mistake I ever made was buying this house! If I'd seen it before it was built I'd have rejected it on the bathrooms alone. Teeny weeny wee bathrooms with no storage. The shower cubicle in our bathroom is oppressively small and a nightmare to clean. I'm planning a loft conversion just to be able to get a shower big enough for two people!