To ask what bathroom mistakes you have made

[Egoanono]

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.

[Stormyspaniels]

Haven't read the full thread, so this might have been said, but if you're tiling the floor put underfloor heating in. The electric mat variety is not expensive if a smallish bathroom, and really makes a difference. Floor dries quickly too.

[Sabaisabai1234]

If you can comply with building and water regs, think about fitting a shattaf spray kit.

Loads available on eBay.

Cheap and easy to do when the bathroom is gutted.

Do this and your bum hole and those of your family will thank you forever.

[serfandterf101]

Use Mermaid board for shower cubicle instead of tiles.

If you've got space, buy a shallow kitchen base cabinet instead of a vanity unit. You can install a counter-top basin on it and have big cupboards or deep drawers for all your clutter.

Glass splash back behind the basin instead of tiles.

Low profile shower trays to avoid tripping over it when getting in/out

Boxing-in all pipes (with access panels) to create clean lines and potential storage shelves.

Chrome suction towel rails which attach to glass shower screens (we bought ours online) - they are secure, look smart and dont need fixing

Heated towel rail instead of a radiator.

[Excited101]

Do not get a flat bottom sink! Even while cleaning the bits sit at the bottom and the water drains out, it’s disgusting.

[Foxyloxy1plus1]

You can get low lights that you fix below the sink/ cupboard unit, so when you need the loo in the middle of the night, there’s enough light to see, without waking yourself or anyone else up properly.

[lolalotta]

Following

[redexpat]

Dont get tiles that arent completely flat. You cant use suction cups on them.

[PigletJohn]

spelled it wrong.

this stuff.

www.jameshardie.com/Products/HardieBacker-Cement-Board

[PigletJohn]

rather than plasterboard, the tilers seem to like a cement-based water resistant board called Bakkerboard (I expect there are other makes). It can be cut with a saw, and drilled.

Water penetration round showers is a great trial, and water makes plasterboard crumble away.

[Summer888]

1. Make sure the fitter uses waterproof plasterboard behind the shower and under the shower. We had two bathrooms fitted, by two different fitters. One used waterproof and one didn't. Each time there is a crack in the grouting, the non waterproof plasterboard shower leaks internally and short circuits the electrics in the kitchen which is directly below. Don't be fobbed off by them saying its not necessary to waterproof - it really is. 2. Build in at least one storage cabinet (eg under the sink) 3. Lots of recessed lights in the ceiling 4. Dimmer switch so you can have it less bright if it gets too much 5. Fit an electricity socket somewhere for shaver & electric toothbrush close to the sink 6. Lots of great companies online do excellent bathroom fittings at half the cost of showrooms 7. Make sure the fitter is recommended to you or that you take references 8. Get a bathroom showroom to design it free of charge, or at a small cost

[RubbishMantra]

Haven't RTFT, but people have mentioned glass shelves always looking smeary/toothpasty? Replace it with a floating drawer. Looks just like an extra thick floating shelf.

Also you can ask your fitter to integrate storage behind the bath panel - I'd expect the bottom of the panel is hinged, then an area boxed off behind that with a shelf or 2 put in.

My builder (didn't have a bathroom fitter) tried to tile my cistern in too. thankfully I stopped him, and it does actually appear to completely tiled in. I had a cistern leak a while back, and good gravy was I glad on insisting the lid be removable!

[PigletJohn]

If you are lucky enough to have a hot-water cylinder nearby, a wet towel-rail can be plumbed to heat up whenever the HW cylinder is being heated. Typically during and after running a bath, which is ideal.

[elk4baby]

D-shape (also called U-shape) shower enclosure are an absolute blessing in a small narrow space. Due to their geometry, they can allow you to fit a really large shower within a tiny space, and still be perfectly comfortable to get out of having two sliding doors at the end)

[elk4baby]

Towel rail has to be:

• Electric with separate thermostat/control
  
• Large enough
  
• Open on one end, so you can slide towels on rather than trying to post/stuff them through (especially if you have DCs)

[Sadik]

Don't install the shower so that the control is mounted high up on the wall. You may sell your house to someone who is (a) short, and/or (b) has pre-teenage children.

And the opposite problem - though in a different house: However small the bathroom, don't install the toilet with the facing wall so close that someone of 5' 10" can't actually sit down on the loo (DH suffered from that one - relatively easily fixed by rotating the loo slightly, but I bet it put some buyers off.)

[Egoanono]

Anymore suggestions on supplies?

[NemosMum21]

I would get an electronically controlled shower with controller situated outside shower compartment. It is more expensive, but it's horrible getting into a shower and then switching it on and adjusting. This way you can press the button & dial the temp and the pressure before stepping in. Myra make them. There's a serious side too: late husband had neurological condition and I had to help him shower. Would have been really difficult to manage hanging onto him and adjusting temp etc at same time (applies to small kids too). Also have an auxiliary in the airing cupboard, so I can switch off iff anyone's in the shower too long

[WhatamessIgotinto]

We have large rectangular grey tiles and the tiler recommended grey grouting - it looks amazing and I'm so glad I didn't go for white now. It looks more 'finished'.

[deeedeee]

Re- onmi tubs.

Yes you can't lie down flat and stretch your legs out. They are a Japanese soaking tub, so it's very deep, but just sitting. The water comes up to your neck when it's full. You can also kinda lie diagonally if you like, which I find very comfortable.

I got mine as my bathroom isn't big enough for a bath you can properly lie down in anyway, just a little bath that you choose between your legs or your shoulders . The onmi tub means you get a proper soak in a small space.

[JustGettingStarted]

On shower doors, make sure that you are able to remove and replace the little silicone seal strip thing at the bottom of the door. It will get mouldy and if you can't clean it properly, you'll be gashing your teeth.

[May50]

Great thread. Am thinking of having bathroom done in next few months so will note all these words of wisdom.

[kerryob]

Get a spare box of tiles, if you ever need repairs for any reason you'll be covered

[robinia]

Don't do any sort of tiles - glass is the way to go, eg.:
www.opticolour.co.uk/bathrooms_with_opticolour_coloured_glass_splashbacks_or_walls_installed.html

[LifeIsGoodish]

[LotisBlue]

Re the toothbrushes.. Dp and I share an electric toothbrush! We have separate heads though.