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Bathroom Tips for First-Time Buyers

Congratulations on buying your first home! Having the freedom to makeover your own space can be an exciting experience. However, it can also feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. And with house prices and the cost of living on the rise, getting onto the property ladder may have stretched your finances. To make things easier, our inspirational guide will show you how to renovate your first bathroom for less.

Prioritize

Buying your first home may leave you with a tight budget for renovations. As a brand-new bathroom can cost thousands, you might want to prioritize what you want to update first. Is the bathroom suite in good nick, but the flooring or mouldy tiles need to be replaced? Is the basin in good condition, but the bath has seen its day? Deciding what needs to be updated first and what can wait will allow you to budget for your whole home, not just the bathroom.

Look for high quality

Look for durable, high-quality products built to last and withstand daily wear. It will save you money in the long run, as you will have to replace low-quality products sooner than later. While high-quality bathroom ware can be expensive, Bathshack prides itself on providing premium, luxury products at affordable prices. So whether you are buying a brand-new bathroom suite or just swapping out your taps, you will be offered some of the most competitive prices on the market.

Give it a good scrub

If you haven’t bought a new build, you might want to give the bathroom a deep clean to make it feel fresh and new. If the existing brassware and suite are still in good condition, a good spring clean may be all you need to spruce up the bathroom and leave it looking sparkling new! To clean metal bathroom fixtures such as taps, use a soft microfibre cloth or sponge, and avoid abrasive cleaners; mild detergent or washing up liquid mixed in warm water should be enough. Check out our blog to learn how to clean your bath/shower, toilet, and basin correctly.

Keep the current bathroom layout

Are you buying a new bathroom suite? Moving the plumbing and waste pipe or changing the suite layout will add to the cost of your project. For this reason, we recommend installing your new bathroom suite and toilet in the same position as the current ones.

For example, if you switch from a close coupled toilet to a back to wall or wall-hung toilet, the plumbing will need to be placed in the wall; this might mean updating your pipes. Or, if you want to change the shower for a shower bath, it can change both the pipework and the shape of your bathroom.

If you are changing the whole bathroom suite, buying it as a package can save you some time and money. To find the best package for your needs, click here.

Affordable flooring

Vinyl and laminate are stylish, practical, and two of the most inexpensive flooring options for new homeowners.

Vinyl flooring replicates more expensive flooring such as wood, tile, or stone, so it’s perfect if you want the authentic appearance of luxury floors for less money and upkeep. It’s 100% waterproof, scratch-resistant and can withstand heavy foot traffic, making it incredibly durable.

All our vinyl flooring is by Pergo, a leading flooring brand. They offer Rigid Click vinyl, which is super easy to install, as it simplyclicks and locks' into place without adhesive. This flooring even comes with a 20-Year Manufacturer’s Guarantee! With a wide variety of designs, patterns and colours available, you can easily find an option that suits your décor scheme perfectly.

Laminate flooring also gives you the appearance of beautiful hardwood flooring without the price tag or maintenance. The unique embossing accurately mimics the appearance and texture of natural wood – you won’t be able to tell the difference! Like vinyl, this flooring is manufactured to be highly durable and scratch resistant. It is also incredibly easy to keep clean. Our laminate flooring features a simple lock-together system, which is very easy to install – just click and lock into place without adhesive.

Choose an accent tile

Don’t have the time or the budget to tile the whole wall? Just a few tiles in a bold colour or pattern will completely refresh your new bathroom. Use an accent tile for a feature wall, in your shower enclosure, or for a basin backsplash. You could also create a border around the room to break up a single block of plain colour.

If you’re looking for a versatile, stylish tile at a minimum cost, you can't go wrong with the classic metro tile. These tiles are inexpensive to buy and relatively easy to lay yourself if you want to cut down on labour costs. They also come in a wide range of bold colours and finishes, so you are sure to find the right one to suit your style.

See your bathroom in a new light

Simply changing your lighting fixture can dramatically transform the look and ambience of your bathroom.

Creating a calming atmosphere in the bathroom is crucial. Set the mood with a beautiful pendant light or wall lamps with shades, and go for warmer lights instead of harsh, bright ones. Or if you want to up the glam factor, all you need is a statement ceiling light such as a chandelier!

Ceramic and acrylic products are made from different materials. So even if your bath, toilet, and basin are all white, they may not always appear the same shade. A cool white light bulb will neutralise any colour variances for a uniform, crisp look.

For task lighting, stay away from fluorescent lights. LEDs will provide better task lighting, are more economical, and are less harsh than traditional bulbs.

Unless you want your bathroom to feel like a warehouse, go for lights with dimmers if possible. It means you can easily adjust the brightness in the bathroom according to mood and use.

Colour coordinate

Coordinating the colours in your bathroom is an easy, effective, and affordable way to tie the whole place together. If you use an accent tile, match the colour to your vanity unit. Organic textures also work wonderfully together. If you choose stone effect vinyl flooring, incorporate wood tones into the bathroom with a piece of furniture or a wood effect accent tile on the walls.

Coordinating your basin and bath taps is an excellent way to achieve a uniform look (you could also buy a shower in the same finish as your taps). Instead of going for classic chrome taps, why not change things up a bit with brass, gold, or black? Black is ideal for adding definition and drama to a contemporary space, while brass or gold will bring vintage glamour.

Ready to start updating your new bathroom? Shop online today for delivery all over the UK & Ireland. Be sure to keep an eye out for any special offers, sales, and discount codes we have available, so you can save where possible! You can also visit one of our showrooms on the island of Ireland to view a fantastic range of products up close. Our showroom team will be happy to provide tips and advice for first-time buyers, no matter your budget or taste.