Another error Karimi observes is a cabinet that needs to be more or too far away from the counter’s edge (if using an ordinary deep cabinet). She suggests an even deeper cabinet if you’re using a wall-mounted faucet. “Since the rough valve is put inside the wall well in advance of any finishes going in, a design professional’s help is invaluable to get the location set properly,” she explains. “This should help avoid costly relocating of plumbing rough-ins later in the project since you don’t want to remove an already-tiled backsplash to make unforeseen plumbing corrections.”
The countertop should be set enough to accommodate vessel sinks.
Keep the countertop at a reasonable height to install an island sink on the vanity. “Bathroom countertop heights these days are taller than they traditionally used to be–often 34-36″ that is fine for sinks that are mounted under,” Pallrand says. However, the counter must not be higher if you have an open vessel sink. “There’s nothing more unpleasant than having water drip through your arm and onto the floor when you try to wash your hands and the face.” Pallrand says he actually experienced this at someone’s home where there was a tall vessel sink installed on a counter 34-36″ high. “Always adjust the counter height as needed to ensure a comfortable sink position.”
The shower system is manipulated to prevent the placement.
It could be worth making some adjustments to your water supply. As per Christopher Grubb, director of the company based in Beverly Hills, Arch-Interiors Design Group, changing the location of your plumbing is less costly than you think. Often, it’s worthwhile. “You may be tired of turning on your shower and getting wet, and if the controls were on an opposite wall, it would be more comfortable,” Grubb states. “The cost consideration is relocating sewer lines; if you have a raised foundation, it is much easier to move drainage pipes,” Grubb says the cost is reasonable if it’s not a significant move. “Slab foundations become much more expensive because it is more complicated and labor intensive,” Grubb says.
Patrick Planeta, principal at the Planeta Design Group in Boston, thinks shower positioning is crucial. “Your shower should be your sanctuary, and there is nothing worse than getting your arm wet with too hot or frigid water while adjusting your water temp,” Planeta states. “When you enter your shower, a good rule of thumb is for the controls to be within reach from the shower door.” Another tip: Planeta recommends keeping in mind the direction of the hinges on your shower door so that you don’t block your control.
Skimping on shower floor details
Curbless showers are a raging trend however, Veronica Solomon–CEO and principal designer of Casa Vilora Interiors in Katy, Texas — says that DIY’ers need to do more research to know how to set them up properly. “They look very simple to install, but you need to consider the size of the shower, drain selection and placement, how to properly prepare the subfloor, the slope of the shower floor, and even showerhead placement,” she says.
Kristi Nelson of KMNelson Design in Los Angeles warns that another mistake is not picking the correct tile for shower pans. “Anything larger than 4″ 4 inches x 4 inches” is, depending on the size of the shower, very difficult and almost impossible to contour into the slope needed for drainage,” she explains. “Small tiles also have an important safety factor in wet areas–more grout lines equal less slippage because they provide a grab for your feet.”
Regarding the possibility of slippage Sophia Shibles who runs Sophia Shibles Interiors in Providence, Rhode Island, warns that bathrooms generally are typically slippery and wet. “If young children or older adults will be using the bathroom, careful consideration will lead to a safer design.” She recommends looking up the tile’s DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction) value before buying. “It should be less than 0.42 for any bathroom with a shower or bath.”
The wrong paint to choose
When selecting paint for your bathroom, it’s a mistake to look at the color solely. DiMartino says that finishing is equally crucial. He further elaborates, “Flat and matte paints are the most forgiving and great for covering up blemishes, while semi- and high-gloss finishes are typically used for trim and moldings.” DiMartino suggests using an eggshell-like finish to be the ideal choice for bathrooms and says the following “because it contains more acrylic than flat and matte finishes, it’s great at repelling moisture–but it isn’t so shiny that it’ll overwhelm your walls.” Another piece of advice from DiMartino on this finish is to paint with one stroke. “Roll your walls from baseboard to the ceiling in one motion, or the paint will look patchy,” DiMartino adds.
If you make a DIY purchase, Karimi cautions you that the savings you could make will be lost if the results cause mistakes that need an order of correction.
Overestimating the importance of ventilation
The only area DIY’ers must not ignore is ventilation. “Without it, humidity and moisture will wreak havoc on your materials and finishes and make your brand-new bathroom prime real estate for mold,” Shibles describes. “Lingering moisture will break down grout, seep into subfloors, and cause painted and stained finishes to peel prematurely.”
Then there are the consequences of your lifestyle. “Make sure to purchase a ventilation fan that is properly sized for the square footage of your bathroom, and if the toilet and shower or tub are far apart, consider using two smaller ventilation fans,” Shibles advises.
Natural stone is used wholly or incorrectly.
If you love marble bathrooms, you’re certainly not alone. “It’s durable, a great insulator, comes in many shades and varieties, and it’s gorgeous,” says Vicente Wolf of Vicente Wolf Associates in New York City. “With the many varieties of stones to choose from, it is easy to fall in love with a slab infused with lots of natural veining.”
To give the impression of calm and elegantness, staying clear of busy slabs is essential. “Dominant patterning in marble can overwhelm a bathroom’s design for a disquieting experience,” Wolf suggests. “It gets worse with marble tiles–imagine all the walls and floor consisting of tiny, mismatched tile squares.”
Grubb needs to understand why some people don’t want to use natural materials such as marble, limestone, and granite if there is a limited amount of traffic. “I’ve been in this business for 30 years, and I’ve never had a client complain if they used it.” In terms of maintenance, he says it is necessary to seal it each year to preserve its beauty. “Using any leftover counter slab material for niches or the shower surround is a beautiful detail that also avoids waste.”