Bathrooms
We Answer Your Biggest Kitchen & Bathroom Renovation Questions!
Updated on November 28, 2023
House & Home spoke to renovation expert Gillian Atkins, a designer at Lynda Reeves Design Studio, about everything you need to survive a kitchen or bathroom makeover and be thrilled with the results. Scroll down to discover the most popular renovation questions and Gillian’s must-read answers!
KITCHEN RENO PLAN
Q: Where Should I Start?
“Do your research. Get inspiration images, look at other people’s kitchens and start thinking about the things that work well in the kitchens you like best. Do they all have the perfect work triangle?* Do they all have the latest appliances? Do they all have a particular finish or kind of lighting? Start to collect those ideas so your wish list is honed by the time you get to the design stage.”
*Note: The work triangle that Gillian points out comprises your sink, fridge and range — the three key work areas. Ideally, the sum distance of the triangle is no less than 13 feet and no greater than 26 feet for effective workflow.
Q: How Should I Budget?
“If you know you’re going to do a kitchen with all Sub-Zero appliances, then that will dictate the budget. If you know you have $100,000, then that’s going to drive the budget. But you can have aspirational ideas and a tight budget and take that to a designer. They can help you make it work. You can always do a look for less. If you’re working with a designer, tell them your budget — don’t dance around it!”
Q: Which Decisions Get Made First?
“If you’re doing a new-build, then the world is your oyster. But if you’re renovating a 10- by 14-foot room and you’re confined by where the windows, doors and plumbing are located, it’s a very different process. If you’re having drain problems, call a blocked drains Wollongong plumber. Moving plumbing and appliance location will cost you more. It depends on how far you want to go. For example, if you move your range to the island in the middle of the kitchen, where is the vent going to go?”
Q: How Much Does A Designer Cost?
“Most designers charge an hourly rate. Usually, there’s a minimum rate for a project. When designers work on behalf of their clients, they get a substantial discount on items. And that discount is usually marked up by the designer. So, you’re getting the same retail price, but you get a human handling the ordering, delivery, installation and payment.
Q: What Are The Timelines?
“Have your design locked down before you start. Once you have a working set of drawings, you can hire a contractor and then start the work. Try not to make many changes once you’ve started, as that’s what will cost you. Depending on whether you’re ordering custom millwork or shopping from a big-box store, the whole process will take at least three weeks.”
Q: Can I Do It Without A Designer?
“Yes, of course you can do it. I know people who have managed their own renos and they’ve turned out beautifully. It really depends on the time and energy you’re willing to devote to it. Designers, architects and contractors bring skills to their jobs. They have the experience to do things faster and more efficiently than someone who is learning on the fly.”
Q: How Do I Choose A Designer?
“Check out their Instagram, go to their website and make sure your aesthetic is in line with their aesthetic. You want to be sure you’re on the same page. And interview a few!”
BATHROOM RENO PLAN
Q: Where Should I Start?
“Start with inspiration. In bathrooms, you have fewer opportunities to move things around, so make sure you’re looking at comparable layouts for inspiration. Be realistic about what you can achieve.”
Q: What Should I Consider In A Toilet?
“More people are opting for washlets, which is a toilet and bidet in one. They come at many price points, so you don’t have to spend the cost of a small car.”
Q: Which Surfaces Are Best For Bathrooms?
“Tile is the star. Because bathrooms are about hard surfaces and because they’re wet, tile is a good place to start. Do you like subway tile? Do you like big porcelain tiles that look like marble? Think about how you’re going to use the space. If you’ve got young kids, you’ll want a bathtub. If you’re going with a shower, do you want an alcove for your products? Do you want a bench in there?”
Q: What Kind of Vanity Should I Choose?
“Think about whether you want something closed or open. Open vanities? More power to you if you’re organized and your things look pretty! Also, think about how much counter space you need. How many toothbrushes will live on your vanity? I’m a big advocate of medicine cabinets. If you can, pull the studs out in the wall behind the sink and recess your medicine cabinet. Oftentimes, the sink vent is in that spot, so it can’t be done. But if you can get it nice and flush — wow, it makes the whole room feel bigger, and you get all that extra storage.”
Q: How Long Will It Take?
“Bathrooms are faster than kitchens. They can be done in a couple of weeks.”
Q: What Will It Cost?
“Bathrooms are expensive, despite how small they are. Just be prepared to spend some money. Because once you open up the walls, you may find some issues that need addressing, such as water damage, and you’ll have to take care of that. You might spend $20,000 on your bathroom, but you’ll likely make that back if you sell.”
When it comes to water damage, choose a company that specialize in water damage restoration. Water damage can cause a lot of problems, and you want to make sure that the company you choose is able to handle your specific situation.
Q: What Do People Forget To Budget For?
“Maybe I’m biased, but I like to spend on the pretty things. Beautiful light fixtures and mirrors, the loveliest soap dispenser, Turkish towels — the items that make a bathroom feel less sterile.”
Q: Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
“I’ve lived through many kitchen renovations, but I don’t recommend it. The workers don’t want you there. It’s best to plan that three-week vacation or make some other plan to stay elsewhere. With a bathroom reno, it depends on the layout of your house. If you have a second bathroom, it’s easier to stay.”
House & Home Kitchens + Baths 2020