Underwater Rocks in Bathroom Renovation: Expert Advice

1. Mistakes in Planning

The first thing to consider when starting bathroom renovation is the room layout. Plan it in advance: for example, a toilet should be placed no more than three meters and two pipe bends away from the sewer stack.

If you hang a towel rack too far from the stack, it will cause problems with the drainage system. In some residential complexes, installation of towel racks with water heating is prohibited, so you'll have to plan where and how to place an electric one: it should not be directly exposed to water.

You should also consider the aesthetic aspect of the issue: place the toilet so that it is not visible from other rooms when the door is open. Place the sink directly opposite the entrance so that your gaze doesn't hit a wall but falls into the mirror's perspective.

2. Engineering Systems

The number and dimensions of ventilation grilles will depend on the bathroom layout: it's important to know exactly how many grilles you need and where to install them. Also don't forget about inspection hatches, where water meters, sewerage and ventilation stacks are hidden - their placement must be planned at the initial stage of renovation.

3. Waterproofing

Options for waterproofing vary by application method, thickness, and material. To select the optimal option for your bathroom, consult a specialist. Also take care of leak and overflow protection: a proper solution is to use float or electromagnetic valves in the sink and bathtub, or install tape or point leak sensors.

4. Moisture-Resistant Lighting and Hardware

When choosing lighting, consider the IP rating - this is the degree of moisture protection for the light fixture: for a bathroom, an optimal IP rating is 44 or higher. If the light is located away from water and there is good ventilation in the room, regular fixtures may be used. It's also acceptable to use outdoor collection lights with IP 65 protection.

Always check the IP rating of electrical hardware: bathrooms cannot do without outlets - make sure they are reliable and moisture-resistant.

5. Light Placement

Bathroom lighting scenarios should include general lighting, backlighting in shower or bathtub areas, and technical night lighting. Usually, a small bathroom requires one or two ceiling lights. As additional lighting, built-in lights with moisture protection can be installed above the shower or bathtub area.

Another option is placing lights on both sides of the mirror. Just don't install them too high: shadows will distort the reflection.

6. Tile Tiling

If you're using tiles of the same size in bathroom tiling, always check the layout: the joints on walls and floor should align. Misalignment will spoil the overall appearance of the bathroom. However, in case of tiles of different sizes, joint alignment doesn't need to be monitored.

When combining tiles and decorative plaster in bathroom design, carefully plan the composition and placement of plumbing fixtures. A towel rack that is mounted to tiles at the bottom and plaster at the top looks untidy.

Laying the floor with tiles from floor collections is better: patterns on tiles not intended for flooring will wear off quickly.

7. Difference in Ceramic Tones

When choosing plumbing fixtures, many people stop on white color, but white has many shades. Sometimes it's hard to notice subtle differences in stores, and at installation time you find out that the sink is slightly yellowish while the toilet is white with a blue tint. To avoid this, buy plumbing fixtures from one collection.

8. Ergonomics of the Sink Area

The sink should not only suit all family members in height but also interact with the equipment. If you plan to place a washing machine under the sink, choose a floor-standing cabinet and built-in sink: the bowl-type sink may be too high. Just make sure that the countertop isn't too tall. If space allows, confidently install a separate sink.