A bathroom renovation is a significant investment, so getting the design right from the beginning matters. Yet many of the problems we see in bathrooms aren’t caused by poor-quality products — they’re caused by decisions made before installation even starts.
From trying to squeeze too much into a small room to overlooking waterproofing and ventilation, here are some of the most common bathroom design mistakes we see in Dublin homes — and how to avoid them.
1. Trying to Fit Too Much Into the Room
This is particularly common in smaller Dublin bathrooms.
Homeowners understandably want a bath, separate shower, large vanity and plenty of storage, but trying to include everything can leave the room feeling cramped.
Sometimes removing something actually creates a much better bathroom.
For example, replacing a rarely used bath with a properly designed wet room can:
- Create considerably more usable space
- Improve movement around the bathroom
- Allow light to travel through the room
- Make a small bathroom feel much larger
- Create a cleaner, more contemporary appearance
The best bathroom isn’t necessarily the one with the most features. It’s the one where the available space has been used intelligently.
2. Designing Around the Existing Layout Without Questioning It
Just because your toilet, basin and bath have been in the same positions for 30 years doesn’t mean they need to stay there.
Many older Dublin bathrooms evolved rather than being properly designed. Previous renovations may simply have replaced one bathroom suite with another without reconsidering the layout.
During a full renovation, it may be possible to reposition plumbing and drainage to create a considerably better space.
Before choosing tiles or fittings, we always look at the room itself and ask: could this layout work better?
Sometimes moving one fixture can transform the entire bathroom.
3. Choosing Tiles Before Designing the Bathroom
Tiles are exciting, so it’s understandable that homeowners often start there.
But they shouldn’t be the first decision.
The order should really be:
- Layout
- Practical requirements
- Plumbing and drainage
- Waterproofing
- Lighting
- Storage
- Then finishes and tiles
A beautiful tile can’t compensate for an awkward layout.
Get the fundamentals right first and the finishes will enhance an already well-designed room.
4. Assuming Tiles Make a Bathroom Waterproof
This is one of the most important misconceptions in bathroom renovation.
Tiles and grout aren’t the waterproofing system.
The real protection sits underneath them.
Proper tanking protects the structure of the bathroom from water penetration, particularly around:
- Showers
- Wet room floors
- Wall-to-floor junctions
- Niches
- Pipe penetrations
- Drainage points
This becomes even more important in older Dublin properties with timber floors and structures that can be badly damaged by prolonged moisture.
You may never see the waterproofing once your bathroom is finished, but it’s one of the most important things you’re paying for.
5. Installing a Wet Room Without Properly Designing the Drainage
A good wet room should look beautifully simple.
Achieving that simplicity requires careful preparation underneath.
The floor needs the correct falls so water naturally travels towards the drain rather than collecting elsewhere in the room.
Drain position, floor construction, waterproofing and tile layout therefore need to be considered together.
Wet rooms aren’t simply conventional bathrooms without shower trays. They need to be designed as wet rooms from the beginning.
When they’re built properly, they’re exceptionally practical, durable and easy to live with.
6. Forgetting About Storage Until the End
Nobody puts shampoo bottles, toothbrushes, towels and toiletries into the glossy photographs that inspire bathroom renovations.
Real bathrooms need storage.
Without it, even an expensive bathroom can quickly look cluttered.
Good storage can include:
- Vanity units with deep drawers
- Recessed shower niches
- Mirrored cabinets
- Built-in shelving
- Tall storage units where space allows
Storage should be incorporated into the design rather than added afterwards.
In a smaller bathroom, this can make an enormous difference.
7. Using Too Many Different Finishes
Showrooms offer an incredible choice of tiles, taps, colours and textures.
The temptation is to use too many of them.
A bathroom might contain patterned floor tiles, marble-effect wall tiles, feature tiles, timber-effect furniture, black fittings and a statement basin.
Individually, they may all look fantastic.
Together, they can make the room feel busy.
High-end bathrooms often achieve their impact through restraint.
A limited palette of complementary materials usually creates a calmer, more sophisticated space that is also less likely to date.
8. Getting the Lighting Wrong
One ceiling light in the middle of the bathroom is rarely enough.
Lighting should perform several jobs.
You need practical light for shaving, make-up and getting ready, but you may also want softer lighting when you’re having a shower late in the evening.
A good bathroom lighting plan might include:
- Recessed ceiling lighting
- Illuminated or backlit mirrors
- Vanity lighting
- Feature lighting within niches
- Subtle lighting beneath wall-hung furniture
Lighting also has a major effect on how large a bathroom feels.
Dark corners make rooms appear smaller, while carefully layered lighting creates depth and a greater sense of space.
9. Ignoring Ventilation
Ventilation isn’t the most exciting part of bathroom design, but it’s one of the most important.
Every shower introduces a considerable amount of moisture into the room.
Without effective extraction, that moisture can lead to:
- Condensation
- Mould
- Peeling paint
- Discoloured grout
- Damage to furniture and finishes
A good ventilation system helps your new bathroom stay looking new.
It should be considered during the design stage rather than simply adding whatever extractor fan fits the existing opening.
10. Choosing Everything Based on How It Looks
Bathroom products need to work as well as they look.
A beautiful tap that’s difficult to clean will become frustrating.
A fashionable basin with nowhere to put anything beside it may prove impractical.
A shower screen that looks impressive but requires constant cleaning may not suit a busy family bathroom.
We always encourage homeowners to think about how they’ll actually use the bathroom.
Ask yourself:
- Who uses the room?
- How often is it used?
- What needs to be stored?
- How much cleaning do you realistically want to do?
- Will the layout still work for you in ten years?
Good design considers everyday life, not just photographs.
11. Following Trends Too Closely
There’s nothing wrong with taking inspiration from current bathroom trends.
The problem comes when every permanent element follows one particular trend.
Bathroom renovations should last for many years. A very fashionable design today can feel surprisingly dated five years from now.
We generally recommend creating a timeless foundation using:
- Quality porcelain
- Natural textures
- Warm neutral colours
- Simple lines
- Well-proportioned fittings
You can then introduce more fashionable colours and styles through accessories and elements that are easier to change.
12. Not Thinking About the Future
Your needs can change considerably over the lifespan of a bathroom.
This is another reason we’re strong advocates of well-designed wet rooms.
A level-access shower works beautifully today while also making the bathroom easier to use later in life.
You don’t need to create something that looks like an accessible bathroom.
A contemporary luxury wet room can naturally incorporate features that make the space easier for everyone to use.
Good bathroom design should work for today while quietly preparing for tomorrow.
13. Choosing a Bathroom Company on Price Alone
Two bathroom quotations can look similar while including very different levels of preparation and workmanship.
One may include extensive structural preparation, waterproof tanking and experienced installation.
Another may focus primarily on replacing the visible elements.
When comparing quotations, look beyond the final figure and ask:
- How is the bathroom waterproofed?
- Who carries out the work?
- Who manages the project?
- What preparation is included?
- What happens if hidden problems are discovered?
- Who is responsible for the complete installation?
A bathroom is something you’ll use every day for many years. The quality of what’s behind the tiles matters every bit as much as the tiles themselves.
Good Bathroom Design Starts Before Installation
The best bathrooms don’t happen by accident.
They’re carefully planned around the property, the available space and the people who will actually use them.
At Bespoke Bathrooms, our in-house team manages the complete renovation, allowing the design, plumbing, waterproofing, tiling and finishing stages to work together rather than being treated as separate jobs.
That becomes particularly important with wet rooms, where drainage, floor preparation, waterproofing and tiling all need to be considered as one complete system.
Planning a Bathroom Renovation in Dublin?
If you’re considering renovating your bathroom or creating a new wet room, getting the design right at the beginning can prevent expensive compromises later.
Talk to Bespoke Bathrooms about your space and we’ll help you create a bathroom that’s practical, beautifully finished and designed to last.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest bathroom design mistake?
Trying to fit too much into the available space is one of the most common mistakes. A simpler, better-planned layout will often make a bathroom feel considerably larger and more luxurious.
Should I keep my existing bathroom layout?
Not necessarily. A full renovation is an opportunity to reconsider the layout and determine whether repositioning fixtures could make better use of the available space.
Is a wet room a good option for a small bathroom?
Yes. A properly designed wet room can be particularly effective in a small bathroom because removing a traditional shower tray and enclosure reduces visual barriers and creates a greater sense of space.
What should I choose first when renovating a bathroom?
Start with the layout and practical requirements rather than tiles and finishes. Plumbing, drainage, waterproofing, lighting and storage should all be considered before finalising the decorative elements.
How can I make sure my new bathroom doesn’t date quickly?
Choose a relatively timeless foundation using quality materials, simple lines and complementary colours. Trends can then be introduced through accessories and other elements that are easier to replace.
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Facebook Short Version
Planning a new bathroom? Some of the most expensive mistakes happen before the first tile is even fitted.
Trying to squeeze too much into the room, sticking with a poor existing layout, overlooking storage or treating waterproofing as an afterthought can all affect the finished result.
In our latest article, we look at 13 of the most common bathroom design mistakes we see in Dublin homes — and how to avoid them.
If you’re planning a bathroom or wet room renovation, talk to Bespoke Bathrooms before you start.
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