8 Key Steps of Bathroom Renovation: Essential Checklist

The bathroom is one of the most limited spaces in an apartment, and performing a renovation in it can cause serious difficulties. You need to consider many aspects: you must keep in mind the specific microclimate in this room and strive for the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality. Mistakes made can be costly: even one wrong step during the planning stage can put the entire renovation process at risk.

We've compiled for you 8 key steps of bathroom renovation that will help you plan everything perfectly.

Creating a Project

A project is your master plan. Here you define which tasks need to be completed and in what order, calculate the required amount of materials, and visualize the final result.

Design: Anastasia Finko

Preparatory Steps

In the case of bathroom renovation in an old building, the first step is usually the removal of plumbing and finishing. In new buildings, during preparation, you must check walls for defects that may need to be corrected.

Choosing Plumbing

The decision about which plumbing to choose should be made during the design phase so that engineering communications can be planned correctly.

Subfloor Finishing

At this stage, you prepare the surface for installing finishing materials. Usually, this includes leveling walls with cement plaster or cement putty and ensuring floor waterproofing in moisture-prone zones.

Design: Anastasia Finko

Electrical Installation

This stage includes laying cables and installing switches, outlets, and lighting in compliance with relevant standards and regulations for rooms with high humidity. A separate circuit and grounding are often required for washing machines. If you have a design project, it will help accurately determine where all electrical elements should be placed.

Finishing

This stage transforms the bathroom: first, the ceiling is updated to avoid damaging already laid wall and floor coverings. Then, materials are installed on the walls and floor—typically tiles. During this stage, concealed door frames are also mounted.

Design: Anastasia Finko

Installing Plumbing

This is the stage where you can install the chosen plumbing, provided it was selected and planned during previous stages. Changes at this point may be difficult.

Installing Doors and Furniture, Decorating

The final stage includes assembling and installing built-in furniture. Doors with standard frames are usually installed last to avoid damage from plumbing or large furniture. Decorative elements and accessories complete the overall design.

Photo: Nikita Samsonkin. Design: Anastasia Rusakova

Read more about each step below in our new guide: "Smart Bathroom Renovation: How to Do It Well and Not Spend Extra".

Cover Photo: Nikita Samsonkin, Design: Anastasia Rusakova