Remodelling an outdated bathroom in an older home is one of the best renovations you can do as a homeowner.
But here’s the thing…
Older homes are tricky. Ageing plumbing, shoddy wiring, and layouts designed hundreds of years ago don’t translate well to modern times. These small jobs start to become big headaches quickly.
The good news?
If you know what to prioritise, updating an older bathroom can be simple. When you know where to start, these bathrooms can become just as beautiful and functional as the rest of your home. Read on to learn where to begin.
This is a collaborative post.
Let’s dive into…
- Why Older Bathrooms Require More Attention
- Updating Priorities
- Mistakes To Avoid When Renovating
- Making Thoughtful Fixture Decisions
Picture this…
You walk into the average bathroom built pre-1980. You’ll find cramped spaces (most are less than 40 sq. ft.) and dated fixtures straight out of your grandparents’ bathroom.
Not only that…but older fixtures aren’t efficient. Lighting is usually inadequate, toilets aren’t water-efficient, and bathtub and shower fixtures often leak. Yikes.
Here’s the real problem with older bathrooms according to data from Houzz:
The median spend on bathroom remodels has risen to $15,000. That’s dollars homeowners shouldn’t waste on avoiding the priorities we’ll talk about below.
Older bathrooms need extra attention during updates. Not only do they typically have inefficiencies, but there may be hidden problems with the plumbing, electrical, and layout.
Start With The “Unseen” Stuff
Changing out vanity cabinets and picking tile colours is exciting. But before you get there, let’s talk about the stuff on the other side of your walls.
Plumbing
This is the foundation of your entire bathroom renovation. If your pipes are shot, any new fixtures you add will meet the same fate quickly.
Galvanised pipes were standard in old homes. Unfortunately, they rust from the inside out. Which means you’ll have slowly decreasing water pressure and leaks.
Get new piping before you do anything else. Either PEX or copper piping will work great. Modern piping can also help with water pressure.
Electrical
Do you have GFCI outlets in your current bathroom? They should be present in any bathrooms in your home.
GFCI stands for ground-fault circuit interrupter. It’s a requirement in bathroom codes these days, but older homes are notorious for not having it.
Just like new piping, new electrical work can improve the function of your bathroom. You’ll want electricity that can handle all of your new stuff. Think heated floors, towel warmers, and updated bathroom light fixtures.
Let’s talk lighting…
Bathroom Lighting Fixtures Are Overlooked
The right bathroom light fixtures can make or break your renovation.
Got one bright light in the middle of the ceiling? Congratulations. Your bathroom falls into the category of every other older bathroom.
Update your bathroom with some modern fixtures and watch your space transform. Good lighting makes any space feel bigger and cleaner. Don’t believe us? Check out this bathroom renovation before and after.
If you want to take things a step further, use layered lighting.
- Task lighting for the vanity area
- Ambient lighting for overall room lighting
- Accent lighting to accent features and add atmosphere.
LED lighting is always a wise choice when renovating an older home. They use lower wattage, put out less heat, and last significantly longer than traditional light bulbs.
Proper lighting is inexpensive and changes the entire feel of your bathroom. Don’t sleep on this upgrade.
Proper Ventilation Is Key
Here’s a secret you might not know.
If your older home doesn’t have a proper ventilation system. This is priority number two after updating your plumbing and electrical.
OK, maybe not a secret… but lots of people overlook the power of ventilation. Older homes often have improperly sized or functioning exhaust fans. Or even worse… none at all.
Don’t make this mistake. Install a good vent fan that vents to the outside. It will save your renovation budget and keep you from worrying about mould down the road.
Flooring Should Be Considered Next
Nothing gets you into trouble faster than old flooring.
What kind of flooring do you have in your bathroom? If it’s anything but carpet, pull it up.
There’s a chance you’ll find water damage, rot, or uneven flooring underneath. These problems need to be resolved before new flooring goes down.
Invest in some waterproofing to avoid future headaches. There are some awesome waterproof membranes you can lay down before tiling.
As for tile? Go with porcelain whenever possible. It can withstand high traffic areas, and it comes in so many styles.
Get Creative With Storage
Storage was never considered when most older bathrooms were designed. You’ll be hard-pressed to find more than a medicine cabinet and tiny vanity.
Think vertically, add niches in the shower, and upgrade to taller vanities with drawer storage. There are plenty of tricks to help you squeeze in more storage.
Ageing In Place: Plan For The Future
Speaking of older homes. I know we talked about lighting. But this renovation priority can wait until the end.
Recent data from Houzz says that 2/3 of homeowners are remodelling with ageing-in-place considerations. That’s up from just 8% five years ago.
Give some thought to ageing in the future when you renovate. You’ll thank yourself later.
Add bars near the toilet and shower, think about a curbless shower, grab comfort-height toilets, and make the doorway extra wide. Don’t worry, these features can look high-end and luxurious.
Mistakes To Avoid When Renovating Bathrooms In Old Homes
Here are some pitfalls you’ll want to avoid during your renovation.
- Don’t go ahead without the proper permits. Old homes typically need permits for plumbing and electrical work. Make sure everything is up to code before you finish your walls.
- Function over fashion. We all want that trendy sink we saw on Instagram. But will you enjoy cleaning around it? Think about how you’ll use your space moving forward.
- Budget for the unknown. Walls hide all sorts of problems in older homes. Always leave room in your budget for surprises.
- Ventilation. Did I mention ventilation? Good airflow is essential to any bathroom renovation!
Tips For Picking Fixtures
Alrighty…if you’ve made it this far. We’re almost done!
There are a few things to consider when picking fixtures for an older home bathroom renovation.
- Stay away from trendy. Stick with timeless styles that will stand the test of time.
- Upgrade to water-efficient toilets and faucets. They save you money and help the environment.
- Spend a little more on quality. Cheap bathroom fixtures will need replacing years down the road. Spend the extra money on quality faucets, shower heads, and hardware.
Final Thoughts
Renovating an older bathroom really isn’t that difficult.
If you know what to prioritise and do things in the correct order. You’ll avoid tons of headaches during your renovation. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Do plumbing and electrical first.
- Change your lighting fixtures for the biggest impact.
- Don’t neglect ventilation.
- Look at your flooring choices.
- Plan for ageing in the future.
Bathroom renovations in older homes are a great way to increase value while living in your dream home. Follow these tip,s and you can’t go wrong.