If your bathroom is looking a little dated or no longer suits your needs, it might be a time to treat yourself to a shiny new bathroom suite. But there is a lot to think about even when remodelling a small room, here are a few things you might want to consider before you start picking out taps.

What do you want in your bathroom?

Your bathroom is going to last you a very long time, so you need to think about not just what you need now but what you may need in the future if your circumstances change. Is your family going to grow in size? Will you need to put in another bathroom/cloakroom?

Will everything fit?

If you have your heart set on a separate bath and shower, or additional cupboards, will everything fit in the space you have? You will need to think carefully about whether you will have room to move around the bathroom after everything has been put in there. If you have a small bathroom you might want to make big changes, like making the bathroom larger or moving the door to improve the use of space. How will this impact the rooms in your house?

If making the room bigger is out of the question, you could save space by having a shower bath, or even making do with just a shower if you’re happy to. Some baths are smaller than others or fit in corners, so shop around for the size that’s right for your room. You can also make a small room look bigger with mirrors, so you may want to plan this into your design.

Where will it all go?

If you’re completely changing the layout of your bathroom, you’ll need to plan the layout carefully. It’s not just about the big things like the bath and toilet – you’ll need wall space for things like towel rails, mirrors, shelves or cabinets, toilet roll holders, and an extractor fan if there is no window. Try to avoid putting your bath next to an outside wall because if the pipes are on the same wall there is a risk of them freezing during winter.

How much work needs to be done?

Can the existing service points still be used? You’ll save money if you need to move them. What else can stay the same? You might not need to change the floor or lighting, for example.

What small changes can you make?

Aside from buying a new suite, there are other ways you can make a bathroom look new and refreshed. It may be of a new coat of paint a change in colour can alter the style of your room and make it look warmer or brighter. Bathrooms are also often full of clutter, so what can you do to store things out of sight? Do you need additional cupboards? If you’re short on space consider a sink that sits o top of a cupboard, rather than a pedestal sink – that gives you more storage and looks neater.

Planning a bathroom can be fun and exciting, and a great way to watch your ideas come to life. With the right planning and decision making, you could have a bathroom that looks more inviting and is suited to your needs.