The bathroom is arguably the most important room of the house: a sanitary sanctuary, a private hideaway, a room with a lock where you can get five minutes alone before people start wondering if you’re okay. So why would you settle for a bathroom that isn't a complete joy to linger in? Well, you probably already agree with that, which is what brought you here. You might also realize that the most important phase of any renovation is the planning. A thorough plan can save you from costly mistakes and disappointing results. So what do you need to consider before you start tearing out fixtures and smashing whatever vintage tile your home came with? 1. Get Your Design Ready Gathering inspiration for your bathroom is the first step. Browse the internet, flip through magazines, wander the aisles of your favorite store, take a walk in nature…whatever is it, get inspired! Save photos of bathroom renovation ideas you found on Pinterest. Pick specific materials, fixtures, and tile colors you vibe with and put them all together on a mood board to see your vision come to life. One thing we've learned is that you can avoid some major bathroom design mistakes right off the bat by visualizing the project before ordering your materials. Left: Small Hexagons - 1013 Denim, Dutton Brown Color Prisma Chandelier, Hygge & West Angelina, Lulu and Georgia Hester Jute Rug, Room & Board Loft MirrorRight: Large Moroccan Fish Scales - 214 Coastal Breeze, Agen Rattan Chair, CB2 Brass Pendant Light, Hygge & West Arcade, Lulu and Georgia Alameda Rug 2. Order Samples The next step would be ordering samples to make sure the actual items match your expectations - how something looks in a photo is never exactly the same as it does in your space. This will help to make decisions about the layout and features of your bathroom. Will you go with a bathtub or stand-up shower renovation? Does your vanity have space for two sinks or will one be enough? And if you want to make any major changes to the electric and plumbing, get an estimate from a contractor first so you know what’s left in the budget for finishes and fixtures. 3. Lighting is Crucial Most bathrooms don’t come with expansive windows to let in tons of natural light, and even when they do, the placement of light fixtures is critical. We recommend making a good ol' pros and cons list. For example, ceiling lights provide good coverage, but direct overhead lighting can create harsh shadows. Vanity lights or wall sconces around your mirrors can be an essential design element but might not provide the amount of brightness you're looking for. Plus, different lighting will affect the way your tile looks in your space so ordering samples is not a step to skip! Left: Photography by Emily John Photography Interior Design by Construction2Style.Right: Medium Moroccan Fish Scales - 47 Vermont Pine, 75 Emerald, 101 Lagoon, 1017E Sea Mist, 1065 Mint Julep, Custom Color.Photography and Interior Design by Bari J. 4. Choosing Color The bathroom is a relatively small and contained space, the perfect spot to try out more adventurous colors and patterns. As with the lighting, the color choices set the tone for the entire space. A lush green gives a regal feel, deep blue evokes the sea, and a high-variation white is clean but with texture and nuance. Think about where you can add tile accents, or creative paint or wallpaper patterns to add an extra dimension. See our bathroom tile ideas as a starting point! Left: Custom Tile Lettering - 130 White. Large Hexagons - 130 White, 77E Grey, 1017E Sea Mist and a Custom Color. Photography - Jackson Rathbone.Right: Medium Moroccan Fish Scales - Denim Blend Interior Design by Elizabeth Bolognino Photography by Adam Kane Macchia 5. Don't Forget Storage Create more storage space than you thing you'll need. A medicine cabinet or space to store toiletries is a given. But have you figured out where you’ll put extra towels, cleaning supplies, or toilet paper? Here are some options for adding storage: Pick a vanity with drawers or cabinets Hang shelves behind the toilet Create a shower niche in a walk-in shower to store soaps and shampoos Consider a tub to shower remodel to free up space for a linen closet To learn how to measure your bathroom for tile, visit our blog