# Bathroom Renovation > **Started:** 2026-03-07 > **Status:** Planning --- ## Current State Describe what the bathroom looks like now: dimensions, fixtures, materials, condition. - **Dimensions:** L-shaped, see blueprint. Long edge (F) 2600mm, top (A) 2500mm, bottom (E) 1500mm, nook 1000x1000mm - **Ceiling height:** 2400mm - **Current flooring:** _TODO_ - **Current wall finish:** _TODO_ - **Fixtures:** - Sink/vanity: 550x350mm on wall F, 50mm from wall E (between bath and door) - Shower: ~1000x1000 nook (top-right corner), water point middle of wall B - Bathtub (current): 1850x850, upper-left corner along wall F, water point middle of bath on wall F - Bathtub (planned): freestanding corner bath ~1800x800 (no brick surround) - Mirror: large mirror with diffuse ring light (keeping) - Shelf: wall A, 800mm long, 250mm deep, 500mm from wall F — want to keep something similar here (visual break, not necessarily storage) - Sink-side storage: two [IKEA TISKEN suction cup baskets](https://www.ikea.com/nl/nl/p/tisken-mand-met-zuignap-zwart-90498528/) on wall F next to sink — functional but need a nicer replacement - **Plumbing location:** shower water on wall B, bath water on wall F - **Ventilation:** vent on wall D (centered on radiator, no window). Connected to whole-house mechanical ventilation — single motor just behind the opening. Currently always open, causing heat loss. - **Electrical:** - Ceiling: [Philips Hue Devere](https://www.philips-hue.com/nl-nl/p/hue-white-ambiance-devere-grote-plafondlamp/4116631P6#specifications) — 420mm, 1100mm from wall F, 700mm from wall A (keeping) - Mirror: [Philips Hue Adore](https://www.philips-hue.com/nl-nl/p/hue-white-ambiance-adore-badkamerspiegel-met-verlichting/8719514340992) — bathroom mirror with integrated light (keeping) - **Heating:** towel rail radiator on wall D, 600mm wide, 600mm from door — needs replacing. Tado smart heating system with pre-heat scheduling. --- ## Goals / Requirements What should the new bathroom achieve? - [x] Keep the bathtub — replacing with a freestanding corner bath (~1800x800, no brick surround) - [x] Keep the shower in the existing nook - [x] No toilet (no room, not needed) - [ ] _TODO — style/aesthetic direction_ --- ## Blueprint ### Current ![[Bathroom Blueprint copy.svg]] ### Future ![[Bathroom Blueprint Future.svg]] --- ## Materials & Finishes | Element | Choice | Supplier / Link | Price | |---------|--------|-----------------|-------| | Floor tiles | | | | | Wall tiles | | | | | Shower screen | | | | | Bathtub (freestanding) | | | | | Sink / vanity | | | | | Faucets | | | | | Mirror / cabinet | | | | | Lighting | | | | | Paint / other | | | | --- ## Budget | Category | Estimated | Actual | |----------|-----------|--------| | Materials | | | | Labour | | | | Plumbing | | | | Electrical | | | | Unexpected / contingency (15%) | | | | **Total** | | | --- ## Contractor / DIY Plan - **DIY:** _list tasks you handle yourself_ - **Professional:** _list tasks that need a contractor_ - **Contacts:** - Plumber: _name, phone_ - Electrician: _name, phone_ - Tiler: _name, phone_ --- ## Timeline | Phase | Target Date | Done | |-------|-------------|------| | Planning & design | | | | Demolition | | | | Plumbing rough-in | | | | Electrical rough-in | | | | Waterproofing | | | | Tiling | | | | Fixture installation | | | | Finishing touches | | | --- ## Things to Think About ### Ventilation — Upgrade the Vent Grille - The bathroom connects to a whole-house mechanical ventilation system (single motor behind the vent opening on wall D). There is no separate bathroom fan — the central system provides extraction. - **Problem:** The vent is always open, which means continuous heat loss and unnecessary suction when the bathroom is dry. The motor runs regardless. - **Solution: humidity-sensitive vent grille.** These exist and work without electricity — a polyamide strip inside the grille expands/contracts with moisture, mechanically opening/closing the shutter. When humidity rises (shower, bath), the grille opens fully. When the room is dry, it closes to a minimum, reducing heat loss and balancing airflow across the house. - **Options:** - **[Aereco EHT²](https://www.aereco.com/products/air-inlets/eht2/)** — wall-mounted humidity-sensitive inlet, fully mechanical (no power), up to 52 dB acoustic insulation. Designed for exactly this use case: existing mechanical ventilation with passive grille replacement. This is the most directly applicable product. - **[Aereco humidity-sensitive exhaust grilles](https://www.aereco.com/product-control/humidity-sensitive/)** — if the vent is on the extraction side (which it is), Aereco also makes extraction-side grilles that modulate airflow based on room humidity. - **Electronic alternative:** A humidity sensor switch (e.g. Topgreener TDHS5, Lutron Maestro MS-HS3) could control a motorised damper, but this adds wiring complexity. The passive Aereco approach is simpler for a central system. - **During renovation:** This is the ideal time to swap the grille. The duct behind it is already there. Just measure the duct diameter/opening size and match an Aereco or equivalent product to it. ### Lighting - Both lights are Philips Hue White Ambiance — tuneable colour temperature (2200-6500K) and dimmable via the Hue app or automation. No hardware dimmer needed. - The Devere (IP44) covers ambient, the Adore handles task lighting at the mirror. That covers all essential layers. - If adding anything, a small accent (LED strip in a shower niche) is the only gap. Not essential. ### Waterproofing — Do Not Cut Corners - The entire shower area and bath surround must be tanked (liquid membrane or sheet membrane) before tiling. This is non-negotiable. - Extend waterproofing at least 150mm beyond the shower/bath edges. Many professionals recommend tanking the full wet wall floor-to-ceiling. - The floor should be fully waterproofed, especially at the bath and shower zones. - Use flexible waterproof tape on all inside corners and pipe penetrations. - Get this inspected before tiling — you cannot fix it later without ripping tiles off. ### The L-Shape: Use It - The nook (1000x1000) is a natural shower enclosure. A single glass panel or frameless screen is all you need — the walls do the rest. - The L-shape creates a natural separation between wet zone (shower/bath side) and dry zone (sink/door side). Lean into that. - Consider where the towel rail goes — the wall between the sink and the door (wall E, 550mm segment) or the inside of wall D above the radiator. ### Style Directions Worth Exploring - **Warm spa:** matte stone-look porcelain, oak or walnut vanity, brushed nickel, soft mirror lighting, muted green or clay accents. - **Quiet hotel:** seamless tile palette, floating vanity, frameless shower glass, minimal grout contrast, concealed storage. - **Vintage modern:** characterful floor tile, more furniture-like vanity, framed mirror, decorative sconces, warmer metal finishes. ### Plumbing: Keep It Where It Is - Moving drain lines is expensive and disruptive (especially in concrete floors). If the current drain positions work, keep them. - Moving supply lines (hot/cold) is much cheaper than moving drains. Adjusting tap positions on the same wall is usually straightforward. - If replacing the bath, confirm the new one fits the same drain position or plan a short drain extension. ### Heated Floor — Probably Not - At 2400mm ceiling height, adding underfloor heating raises the floor ~15-20mm (mat + adhesive + tile build-up vs direct tile). That eats into an already low ceiling. - With Tado you can pre-heat the room via the towel radiator on a schedule, which largely solves the cold-floor-in-the-morning problem. - A good towel rail radiator replacement gives you warm towels and room heating in one. Prioritise that over underfloor heating. - If you still want warm feet, a small electric bath mat is a zero-build-up alternative. ### Tile Choices - Large format tiles (600x600 or larger) with thin grout lines make a small room feel bigger. Fewer grout lines also means less cleaning. - Light colours reflect light and help compensate for the lack of a window. Dark feature walls can work but keep them to one wall max. - Consider the same tile on floor and walls (or floor and lower walls) for a seamless look that visually expands the space. - Non-slip rating matters, especially for the shower floor. Look for R10 or R11 rated tiles in the wet zone. ### Storage - In a small bathroom, surface clutter kills the feel fast. Plan recessed niches in the shower wall during the build — much cheaper than retrofitting and they do not eat floor space. - A mirrored cabinet above the sink gives storage and a mirror in one. - If the vanity is wall-mounted (floating), the visible floor underneath makes the room feel larger. - **Wall A shelf (existing: 800x250mm, 500mm from wall F):** The current shelf breaks up the long wall nicely. Consider replacing with a similar floating shelf in a material that matches the new design (e.g. solid oak, stone-look composite, or a tiled niche built into the wall). It does not need to be deep — 150–250mm is enough for candles, a plant, or decorative objects. - **Sink-side storage (replacing TISKEN baskets):** Options that look better than suction cup baskets: - Wall-mounted wire or metal basket shelf (e.g. matte black steel) — screwed in, not suction - Small floating shelf or pair of shelves next to the mirror - If the vanity has drawers, move most items inside and keep the wall clean - A recessed niche in wall F next to the sink (decide during tiling phase — cannot add later) ### Light Switch: Need a Physical Switch with Smart Control - The Hue lights are smart-controlled, but a physical wall switch is still needed (guests, muscle memory, building codes in some areas). - If someone flips a dumb switch and cuts power, the Hue bulbs go offline. A smart switch solves this. - **Options compatible with Philips Hue:** - **Philips Hue Wall Switch Module** — installs behind your existing switch plate. The physical switch stays but toggles a Hue scene instead of cutting power. Easiest drop-in solution. ~€40. - **RunLessWire Click for Philips Hue** — wireless, battery-free (kinetic energy). Pairs natively with the Hue Bridge. Can be placed anywhere, no wiring. ~€35–50. - **Friends of Hue switches (Senic / Gira)** — built-in wall switches using Zigbee Green Power (no battery). Premium look, proper wall-plate form factor. Pair directly with Hue Bridge. €50–100+ depending on brand/finish. - **Inovelli Blue Series** — Zigbee 3.0 in-wall switch with built-in humidity sensor (useful for a windowless bathroom). Does **not** pair directly with Hue Bridge; requires SmartThings or Home Assistant as a bridge. More complex but more capable. ~$50. - **Recommendation:** The Hue Wall Switch Module is the simplest if you already have a switch plate. If you want a clean wireless option with no wiring at all, the RunLessWire Click is worth considering. ### Radiator Replacement - The existing towel rail radiator on wall D needs replacing. Same position works (vent is above it, plumbing connections are there). - Size the replacement to the available space: 600mm wide, fitting between the vent above and the 600mm gap to the door below. - Consider a vertical towel rail if you want more hanging space — a taller, narrower unit could work if the vent position allows it. - With Tado controlling the schedule, the radiator does double duty: room pre-heating and towel warming. ### Common Mistakes to Avoid - Not budgeting for contingency (15% minimum). There are always surprises behind old tiles. - Choosing fixtures before confirming they physically fit. Measure clearances: 200mm minimum from sink centre to side wall, 600mm clear in front of any fixture. - Forgetting about the door swing — yours opens outward (good), so no conflict, but check nothing blocks it from the corridor side. - Skipping a site visit with your plumber before demolition. Let them see the existing setup and flag issues. - Over-specifying trendy finishes that date quickly. Neutral base, personality through accessories. ### If I Were Optimizing This Layout - Keep the shower in the existing nook unless plumbing constraints make it painful. That part of the plan is already doing useful work. - Use a wall-hung vanity with drawers rather than a freestanding cabinet. In a room this size, visible floor area helps. - Make the freestanding bath feel deliberate: consider a ledge or niche nearby, proper bath filler position, and enough surrounding calm that it reads as an asset rather than leftover compromise. - Reduce the number of finish changes. A smaller room usually benefits from calm surfaces more than from visual variety. --- ## Notes - --- ## Reference / Inspiration ### Current Sources Worth Trusting - [2025 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study](https://www.houzz.com/magazine/2025-u-s-houzz-bathroom-trends-study-stsetivw-vs~183227801) - [NKBA 2026 Bath Trends Report announcement](https://nkba.org/press/nkba-kbis-releases-annual-2026-bath-trends-report/) - [Home Ventilating Institute bathroom ventilation guidance](https://www.hvi.org/resources/publications/bathroom-ventilation/) - [Tile Council of North America slip classification overview](https://tcnatile.com/national-standard-ansi-a326-3-now-requires-hard-surface-flooring-manufacturers-to-provide-product-use-classifications-based-on-their-slip-resistance-properties/) ### Trends & Ideas (2025-2026) - [Bathroom Trends 2026: What's In, What's Out — Decorilla](https://www.decorilla.com/online-decorating/bathroom-trends-2026/) - [25 Bathroom Renovation Ideas for 2026 — The Coolist](https://www.thecoolist.com/bathroom-renovation-ideas-for-2026/) - [10 Inspiring Bathroom Renovation Ideas for 2026 — Decor8 AI](https://blog.decor8.ai/post/10-inspiring-bathroom-renovation-ideas-for-your-2026-project) - [Small Bathroom Layouts: Space-Smart Plans — Horow](https://horow.com/blogs/guide/small-bathroom-layouts-space-smart-plans) ### Mistakes to Avoid - [Bathroom Renovation Regrets — Emily Henderson](https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/bathroom-renovation-mistakes-and-tips) - [10 Common Bathroom Remodel Mistakes — Tile Club](https://www.tileclub.com/blogs/news/10-common-bathroom-remodel-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them) - [14 Bathroom Remodel Mistakes to Avoid — Home Art Tile](https://homearttile.com/bathroom-remodeling-mistakes-to-avoid/) - [Common Bathroom Remodel Mistakes — Sweeten](https://sweeten.com/blog/home-renovation-process/common-bathroom-remodel-mistakes-avoid/) ### Shower + Bath Combos - [Walk-in Shower with Tub Inside — Empava](https://empava.com/blogs/new/bathtub-inside-walk-in-shower-layout-and-design-ideas) - [Walk-in Shower Ideas for Small Bathrooms — Mobility Plus](https://www.mobility-plus.co.uk/blog/inspiration/walk-in-shower-layouts-small-bathrooms/) - [Small Tub/Shower Combo Ideas — Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/photos/small-tub-shower-combo-ideas-phbr2-bp~t_712~a_24-136--30-231) ### Budget & Planning - [Bathroom Remodel Tips for 2026 — Block Renovation](https://www.blockrenovation.com/guides/bathroom-remodel-tips-for-2026) - [Small Bathroom Remodel Costs 2026 — Badeloft](https://www.badeloftusa.com/buying-guides/small-bathroom-remodel-costs/) - [Renovating Small Bathroom on a Budget — Half Price Baths](https://www.halfpricebaths.com/renovating-small-bathroom-on-a-budget-choosing-the-right-materials/)