If you’re honest with yourself, there’s probably a long list of things that you dislike about your bathroom. You wish it could be perfect and feel like a spa-like haven, but for whatever reason it doesn’t.
In this post, we run through some of the most frequently mentioned dislikes and then provide practical fixes for them. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of some of the elements of your bathroom that might be turning you off and what you can do to sort them out.
Poor or harsh lighting
One of the biggest complaints about modern bathrooms is low-quality lighting or, even worse, harsh lighting. Bathrooms with poor lighting often feel dim and shadowy. They’re simply not bright enough and make you feel miserable when you walk into them. Other bathrooms have more harsh overhead fluorescent lamps. These emit too much white light, revving you up in the evening when you just want to relax and unwind.
To solve this problem, switch to LED lights with warm color temperatures of between 2700 and 3000 K. Make sure that the light comes from multiple sources so it appears more natural and flattering. If you just have one overhead light, it will cast more shadows onto your face, and you’ll think that you look worse than you do in the morning. If you can install a dimmable light with a motion sensor, this gives you more flexibility. You can adjust the level of lighting depending on the time of day. Clearly, the amount of light you want flooding into the room will be different first thing in the morning than if you get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
Lack of storage
Lack of storage is another thing that many homeowners dislike about their bathrooms. For whatever reason, ugly toiletries are on every available surface because cabinets and storage cupboards are insufficient.
The quickest fix is to add some shelving to your shower. This lets you collect your shampoo and conditioner, shaving foam, and other items together in one place. An even better approach is to use themed dispensers where you can decant products and then make use of them when you need them.
You should also include floating vanities and wall-mounted cabinets. These increase floor space while adding utility to the bathroom. You can use these to store large items like towels and toilet paper, as well as smaller items like creams, skin care products, razors, cotton swabs, and other items.
In general, mirrored furniture and storage cabinets look great in the bathroom. It reflects light all around the room.
In general, mirrored furniture and storage cabinets look great in the bathroom. It reflects light all around the room.
Poor ventilation and mold issues
Poor ventilation and mould issues are another thing that homeowners really dislike about their bathrooms. If there’s no exhaust fan or it isn’t working properly, it can lead to steamy mirrors, peeling paint, and eventually mould growth if moisture droplets remain in the bathroom for a long period.
You can fix this with intelligent bathroom remodeling. For example, you could add a high-speed exhaust fan that vents moist air from the shower directly outside. It’s also a good idea to pair this with a humidity sensor so that it automatically activates when humidity reaches a critical level. If you can, you should also add a window to your bathroom. This can help dehumidifiers reduce the amount of moisture in the air, especially after a long bath. Finally, you can use moisture-resistant materials and paints. These are special synthetic options that reduce or eliminate the risk of moulds developing in the first place.
Outdated and inefficient fixtures and fittings
Homeowners are also annoyed by the outdated and inefficient fixtures and fittings in their bathrooms. There’s nothing more annoying than a leaky faucet or a weak shower with low water pressure. Fortunately, the fixes for these are fairly straightforward, although you may need to hire a plumber.
If you have a low water pressure op problem, then check the location of your shower and what the reasons are for the low flow that you have at the moment. Fix or upgrade faucets and toilets to modern versions and get options that save water without sacrificing performance. If you can afford to get a wet room style shower, then install one. These make the whole bathroom feel more seamless and inviting.
Cramped layout
Most bathrooms are fairly small and therefore have a cramped layout, which can be annoying for homeowners. Trying to fit a toilet, a vanity, a shower, a bath, a sink, cabinets, and towels into a single small room is difficult. Therefore, look at how you could potentially reconfigure the layout of your bathroom during your next remodel.
Try to place the toilet in a location that gives you plenty of elbow room and doesn’t require you to sit in an awkward position. For showers, try to install sliding doors that don’t open into the shower or extend out into the bathroom. These can save you more space. If necessary, remove some cabinets and storage and place them elsewhere if it means that the room has more flow.
Cold floors
Nothing is more annoying to homeowners than bathrooms with cold floors. These feel uncomfortable underfoot, especially in the morning.
Fortunately, there are plenty of solutions for this problem. The most obvious is to get electric underfloor heating, which radiates heat to the surrounding tiles according to the thermostat’s timer. You can also get radiant floor heating, which is a similar technology.
If that isn’t an option, then all you need to do is switch to warmer materials. Luxury vinyl plank is one option, or you can add plush bath mats that raise off the floor and resist mould and moisture.
So those are some of the things that homeowners dislike about their bathrooms and how to fix these problems. Which of these issues have you faced in your home?