10 BATHROOM RENOVATION MISTAKES WE SEE AGAIN AND AGAIN (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)
A bathroom renovation is one of the most exciting transformations you can make in your home. It's where we start and end our days, and when it's done right, it can feel like a little slice of luxury every single day.
After more than 12 years in the reno game, we know the little things can make or break a bathroom.
And when bathroom mistakes happen, they’re not exactly tiny little “oopsies”. They can be expensive, messy and a total pain to fix.
The good news? Most of them are completely avoidable.
So before you start choosing tiles and dreaming about freestanding baths, here are 10 common bathroom renovation mistakes we see time and time again, and exactly how to avoid them.
Three Birds House 12 – Ensuite
Three Birds Bathroom Reno – Main Bathroom
Three Birds House 17 – Ensuite
1. NOT NAILING YOUR VISION BEFORE YOU START
Us talking about Vision Boards again? Shocking, we know. 😜
But honestly, if there's one thing we wish every renovator would do before they start a project, it's create a Vision Board.
Whether you're renovating an entire house or just a bathroom, your Vision Board should always be the very first step.
Why? Because every renovation decision flows from it.
The Vision – Three Birds House 12, The Contemporary Cottage
The Result – Three Birds House 12 Main Bathroom
One of the biggest mistakes we see homeowners make is jumping straight into choosing tiles, tapware, vanities and paint colours before they've actually nailed the look and feel they're trying to create.
It's easy to fall in love with individual products. The problem is, just because you love each piece doesn't mean they'll work together. That's when renovations start feeling a little disconnected, confused and expensive.
A clear Vision Board acts like your renovation compass. It keeps you on track when you're faced with hundreds of tile options, dozens of tapware finishes and more paint colours than any human should ever have to choose from.
Better still, it helps everyone involved in your renovation understand the end goal — from your partner to your builder, trades and suppliers. When everyone's working towards the same vision, decisions happen faster, communication becomes easier and costly mistakes are far less likely.
In Reno School, creating a Vision Board is one of the very first things we teach because we've seen firsthand how much time, money and stress it can save.
So before you start ordering samples or filling your camera roll with screenshots, get crystal clear on the look and feel you're trying to create.
Warm and organic? Coastal and relaxed? Modern and luxurious? Classic and timeless?
Once you've nailed your vision, every other decision becomes so much easier.
Trust us — the couple of hours you spend creating a Vision Board upfront will pay you back tenfold throughout your renovation journey.
Vision Board – Three Birds House 16, Erin’s Urban Farmhouse
Three Birds House 16 – Powder Room
2. NOT PLANNING ENOUGH STORAGE
One thing we've learned after renovating countless bathrooms is: you can never have too much storage.
We all want that dreamy, clutter-free bathroom that looks like it belongs in a magazine, but real life comes with hairdryers, skincare, spare toilet paper, cleaning products and all the bits and pieces that need a home.
In Three Birds Reno School, we always encourage our students to think about what actually needs to live in the bathroom before they finalise their vanity design. Drawers are often far more practical than cupboards, mirrored shaving cabinets can be a game-changer, and recessed niches can add valuable storage without taking up extra space.
Beautiful bathrooms don't stay beautiful by accident. They stay beautiful because everything has a home.
3. CHOOSING STYLE BEFORE FUNCTION
We love beautiful bathrooms as much as anyone (probably more 😂), but we've renovated enough houses to know that a gorgeous bathroom that doesn't function properly will drive you crazy every single day.
Before falling in love with a particular basin, vanity or layout, think about how the space will actually work.
Three Birds House 16 – Main Bathroom
Three Birds House 13 – Guest Bathroom
Three Birds House 14 – Ensuite
Can two people comfortably use the vanity at the same time? Is there enough room to move around? Will that statement basin be easy to clean? Is there enough bench space for everyday use?
The sweet spot? A bathroom that looks incredible and makes life easier.
4. NOT INVESTING IN GOOD LIGHTING
Lighting is one of those things that often gets left until the end of a bathroom renovation... but trust us, it deserves a spot right at the beginning of the planning process.
In fact, it's something we do a real deep dive on in Reno School because getting it right can completely transform how your bathroom looks, feels and functions.
We see so many bathrooms relying on a single ceiling light and calling it a day. Sure, it lights the room, but it won't help when you're trying to put on makeup, shave, find the perfect outfit at 6am or unwind with a bath after a long day.
Think about it. This is where you're getting ready for work, doing your skincare routine, brushing your teeth, bathing the kids and sneaking in a long soak at the end of a busy day.
The secret is layering your lighting. Just like you layer textures, colours and materials, your lighting should work hard too.
We always recommend including:
Ambient lighting for overall brightness
Task lighting around the vanity where you actually need it
Feature lighting to create warmth, depth and that beautiful hotel-like feeling
Dimmers where possible so you can adjust the mood throughout the day
Three Birds House 16 – Main Bathroom
Three Birds House 14 – Powder Room
Three Birds House 15 – Main Bathroom
It's one of those details that people often don't think about until it's too late, but when it's done well, you'll notice it every single day. A thoughtfully lit bathroom feels calmer, more luxurious, and so much more enjoyable to use.
5. FORGETTING ABOUT POWER POINTS
This one sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how often it gets overlooked.
Once the walls are tiled, adding extra power points becomes much more complicated and expensive.
Think about where you'll use:
Hair dryers
Hair straighteners
Electric toothbrushes
Shavers
Chargers
Then add a couple more power points than you think you'll need.
Future-you will thank you.
6. CHOOSING THE WRONG TILE SIZE
Tiles might seem like a small decision, but they can completely change how a bathroom feels.
One of our favourite design tricks is using the same tile on both the floor and walls. It creates visual continuity, which can make even a small bathroom feel larger, calmer and more considered.
We also tend to lean towards larger-format tiles because fewer grout lines create a cleaner, less busy look.
Of course, every bathroom is different, so always view your tile samples in the actual space before making a final decision. What looks perfect in a showroom can feel very different once it's installed.
Three Birds House 15 – Main Bathroom
Three Birds House 14 – Main Bathroom
7. NOT THINKING ABOUT VENTILATION
Is an exhaust fan the sexiest part of a bathroom renovation? Absolutely not.
Is it one of the most important? Also yes.
Poor ventilation can lead to mould, mildew, peeling paint, damaged cabinetry and lingering moisture.
All that beautiful joinery, paintwork and styling won't stay looking fresh for long if moisture isn't being properly removed from the space.
A quality exhaust fan might not be glamorous, but it's one of the smartest investments you can make.
8. NOT THINKING THROUGH YOUR LAYOUT
Whenever we're planning a bathroom, the layout is where we start.
Because even the most beautiful finishes in the world can't fix a layout that doesn't work.
We think carefully about how people will move through the space, what they'll see first when they walk in and how the bathroom will function day to day.
Can the shower door open comfortably? Is there enough room around the vanity? Does the toilet feel tucked away rather than centre stage?
When the layout is right, everything else falls into place.
Three Birds House 17 – Main Bathroom
Three Birds House 13 – Guest Bathroom
Three Birds House 14 – Ensuite
9. UNDERESTIMATING THE BUDGET
One of the biggest mistakes we see is homeowners spending their entire budget on finishes before allowing for the less glamorous stuff.
Things like waterproofing, plumbing, electrical work, demolition, tiling labour and waste removal can quickly add up.
That's why in Reno School we're always talking about contingency. We recommend setting aside an extra 10–20% from the beginning so you're not making stressful compromises halfway through the renovation.
Because if there's one thing renovations love, it's a surprise.
10. NOT THINKING ABOUT HOW YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE THE SPACE
This is probably the biggest mistake of all.
A bathroom designed for a young family will look very different to one designed for downsizers, guests or a busy couple.
Before making any design decisions, ask yourself:
Who uses this bathroom?
How many people use it every day?
Do we really need a bath?
Would double basins make life easier?
What's frustrating us about the current layout?
The best bathroom isn't necessarily the trendiest one.
It's the one that works beautifully for the people living in it.
AT THE END OF THE DAY…
And at the start of the day… bathrooms are one of the most used rooms in the house, so you want to get it right.
We know that bathroom renovations can feel overwhelming, but avoiding a few common mistakes can save you time, money and plenty of headaches.
Our biggest piece of advice? Slow down during the planning stage.
The more thought you put into your layout, storage, lighting and functionality upfront, the more you'll love your bathroom for years to come.
