5 Common Mistakes In Bathroom Remodels

Judy Olson
Mar 17
3 min read

This is a quick opinion piece on some of the most common and annoying patterns I’m seeing in newly/recently renovated bathrooms. I can make these distinctions because I’m an interior designer and accustomed to piecing things together from nothing to achieve a certain aesthetic and functional goal.

Here are some variables that consistently lead to a less professional or cheaply remodeled look in the end.

1. Cheap pre-fab vanities

Prefab vanities are not the enemy. It’s when they are the cheapest of cheap that the obvious lack in quality and craftsmanship drags the entire room down. For property flips I understand going for a super cheap option, but if you’re remodeling a home you intend to actually live in, maybe for several years, consider investing in custom built cabinetry (there’s a right and wrong way to do this too), OR a higher end all wood pre-fab vanity. The sort of quality level you want is going to price upwards of $3,000 for a single sink vanity.

2. Light fixtures mounted over mirrors

It is possible to do this in an attractive manner, but most people (and contractors) do it wrong. It ends up looking cheap, sloppy, and very DIY.

Shockingly, the plain Jane mirror is what makes the light fixture above actually work. That, and the fact that the rest of the space is actually very nicely done. No offensive tile layout, and here's the real design secret that makes this space: CONTRAST. The use of contrast and texture to help the eye travel strategically. This is the sort of strategy that designers use to create a space like this. If you're on a budget and cannot move the light fixtures, you need to know how to use materials and contrast like a pro.

3. Tiny mirrors

This one grates on me soooo bad. Make sure your mirror is well proportioned to the space and the position of your light fixtures. And if you MUST have a wall mount light fixture positioned above your mirror, make sure your mirror is not round. Round mirrors are fantastic but typically only work when used with sconces on either side.

Umm, what happened with this mirror? Let's pretend not to notice the insane amount of grout in the shower and ask the question, "Why the chintzy tiny little mirror?"

4. Barn style shower doors

I have not seen one of these yet that didn’t make the entire bathroom feel like it was designed by a contractor. They are sort of cool and industrial looking, and might work for a kid’s bathroom, but the chunkiness feels sure to be dated way too soon. There’s always an exception, but few bathrooms I see actually are that exception.

5. Offset larger format tile

If your contractor does not ask you how you want your tile formatted, you can bet that he will likely be planning on an offset/staggered pattern. Even highly qualified contractors tend to do this format so routinely that no one bats an eye. The client has a newly renovated bathroom, but for some reason they can’t quite place, it looks…off. It IS off. The offset tile pattern in bathrooms and showers is like the gray trend. It’s over.

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After over a decade in this business, I can only assume that homeowners are consistently assuming that general contractors know something about interior design. Contractor standards have nothing to do with good design. and good design is, to be fair, not their job. Their job is to build what you ask for, and guide you where necessary when it comes to structural integrity and building safety codes.

Designers are a luxury, yes. But with inflation and cost of living bringing the cost of a home renovation extraordinarily high, can you really afford to spend tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars on a remodel without some level of guarantee that it's going to look good and function well? It's almost better not to update your home at all rather than to renovate incorrectly using obviously cheap methods and shortcuts.

If you reside in the East Bay Area and are wondering how to begin with your home renovation, check out our Pre Reno Consultation service. Even if you're on a budget, it will give you critical and personalized designer insight on your project.

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