How to DIY a bathroom upgrade

A bathroom is an area of the house where many DIYers might hesitate. While you might be comfortable with architrave, painting, and decorative stuff, messing around with tiling and plumbing might seem like a step too far. After all, we don’t want water spraying everywhere, or chipped tiling.

The fact is, however, that there are several parts of the bathroom where you can safely Do It Yourself. Let’s consider a few of them.

Adding a hidden tank toilet

A hidden tank will make the room look considerably cleaner. Without that unsightly cistern hanging there, you’ll have more space in the room – which can be invaluable in smaller bathrooms. Tanks can be hidden inside the wall, but they can also be enclosed within cabinets. This is a fairly big project, but one that’s within the skillset of most DIYers. Bear in mind that hiding the tank may make it slightly more difficult to maintain.

Shower enclosure

You’re going to be spending several minutes every day in the shower. Why not make it an attractive one? You can make the flooring textured and slip-resistant; you can build the enclosure so that it’s a pleasure to use.

Extractor fans

If your extractor is struggling to remove the steam after you shower, then you might consider going for a more powerful extractor fan. However, you’ll want to consider a range of other factors before taking this decision, including the length of pipe between the room and the motor, and the ease with which new air can come in to replace the air you’re sucking out.

Replacing Pipes

If drainage is a problem in your bathroom, then you might swap out your narrow pipes for chunkier ones. This will reduce the likelihood of a clog occurring, which can be invaluable in busier households where the shower is getting more use. Removable bath panels make it easier to reach the space beneath your bathtub.

Getting a tub

If you don’t take baths, then why should you need a bathtub? There’s a simple reason: to improve the appeal to future buyers. If space really is at a premium, then you might go for a combination shower and tub – that’s something that most of us have to put up with!

Improve lightning

Lighting makes a big difference to the way that a room looks. Switching from cold white to warm white can remove that look of sterility; replacing halogen bulbs with LED ones can hugely improve your home’s energy efficiency. Don’t go too bright – it’ll interfere with your sleep if you’re dropping off straight after you brush your teeth.