Renovating a Bathroom? Here’s What Most People Forget to Plan For
When renovating a bathroom, it’s easy to focus on tiles, tapware, and vanities. But what about the details that make the space work day-to-day? This guide covers the overlooked essentials that’ll make your new bathroom feel as good as it looks.
Renovating a bathroom comes with plenty of decisions — colours, layout, fixtures, budget. But while most people spend time picking their perfect vanity or choosing the right shower finish, they often forget to plan for the smaller details that make a bathroom feel functional, easy to live in, and just that bit more elevated. So if you're renovating a bathroom (or even just refreshing), here’s a list of the commonly missed features and practical upgrades that are worth thinking about before the grout sets.
1. Storage That’s Actually Useful
Most people remember the vanity — but what about vertical storage, recessed shelves, or mirrored cabinets? Open shelving can look great in a styled shoot, but may not hold up in a busy family home. Think about where your toothbrushes, razors, and spare toilet paper will actually go.
A shaving cabinet is the easiest way to add hidden storage while keeping your mirror clean and clutter-free.
A shaving cabinet is a smart way to gain hidden storage without compromising bench space. If you need help weighing up the options, this blog on how a mirror cabinet can improve your layout is a solid place to start.
2. Where the Power Points Go
It sounds minor – until you realise your hair dryer cord won’t reach the mirror or your electric toothbrush has nowhere to charge. When you're planning your vanity and mirror setup, take a moment to think about what appliances you use daily and where you want them to live. Integrated outlets inside cabinets are a small luxury you’ll thank yourself for later.
3. Lighting for Tasks (Not Just Vibes)
A moody pendant light looks great on Instagram, but not when you’re trying to do your makeup in the morning. A layered lighting plan is key: overhead lights for general brightness, task lighting near the mirror, and maybe even strip lighting under a floating vanity for that soft, ambient glow.
LED mirror cabinets combine lighting and storage in one seamless fixture. SHOP NOW.
If you’re exploring lighting options, this article on what to know before choosing an LED bathroom mirror cabinet can help you balance function and style.
4. Towel Storage That Actually Works
It’s easy to forget about towel placement until the wall is tiled and it’s too late. Where will the towels go — and how many do you need to hang at once? Do you want a warm option like a heated rail, or just practical hooks near the shower?
Towel rails placed near your shower or bath make for a more practical layout. SHOP NOW.
Browse Buildmat’s bathroom accessories for towel rails, hooks, and heated options — or get inspired with this towel rail styling guide for a more luxurious finish.
5. Shower Storage (Because Those Bottles Add Up)
Nobody loves seeing shampoo bottles scattered across the shower floor. A recessed shelf, corner niche or wall-mounted basket can keep things neat without taking up space. It's also worth planning where your bathroom shelves go — you want them reachable, but not the first thing you see walking into the room. For ideas on how to integrate storage, read this blog on choosing shower shelves.
6. Where Water Might Splash
Another common oversight? Planning for splash zones. Think about how water moves around your bathroom. If your vanity doesn’t have a tap landing or a basin with raised edges, you might end up with water pooling on the bench. A bit of forethought here can save you from future water damage or mildew.
7. The Small Fixtures That Make a Big Impact
Things like a well-placed robe hook, a drawer organiser, or mixer tap for better temperature control — these aren’t always front of mind, but they make a big difference in how your bathroom feels day to day.
If you're not sure where to splurge and where to save, this practical guide to renovating your bathroom on a budget breaks it down in simple terms.
Renovate Your Bathroom with Style & Functionality
A beautiful bathroom starts with smart planning. And while the big things matter – the tiles, the vanity, the shower – it's often the small touches that make your bathroom more functional, more liveable, and more enjoyable.
Need a bit of help pulling it all together? Explore Buildmat’s full bathroom collection, from tapware and vanities to accessories and LED mirrors, and start designing a space that works as beautifully as it looks.
