How to Avoid Common Bathroom Design Mistakes: Practical Advice from the Experts 

Designing a bathroom is a rewarding process, but it’s also full of potential pitfalls. Whether you’re planning a full bathroom renovation or updating a tired en-suite, certain missteps can lead to regret, inconvenience, or unnecessary cost. That’s why getting your bathroom layout, fittings, and finishes right from the start is essential. 

In this guide, you’ll find practical advice to help you avoid the most common bathroom design mistakes, and with a few fresh ideas you might not have considered. From choosing the wrong shower size to forgetting about proper lighting, these insights are here to help you plan a new bathroom that’s functional, comfortable, and beautiful for years to come. 

1. Common Bathroom Mistakes: Treating the Bathroom Like a Small Kitchen

One of the most overlooked bathroom planning errors is thinking in terms of kitchen design principles. In kitchens, you plan for long periods of standing, storage-heavy cupboards, and task lighting over worktops. But bathrooms are different. Here, moisture levels are higher, time spent is more focused on routines, and furniture choices need to suit a humid environment. 

Tip: Choose bathroom-specific furniture that can cope with splashes, humidity, and daily use. Brands like Utopia and Decosan offer furniture built with moisture-resistant materials, soft-close drawers, and practical storage tailored for bathroom products. 

2. Overcomplicating the Layout

Trying to squeeze in too much—such as a separate bath and shower, double basins, and extra storage—can result in a cramped, awkward space. Avoid this common bathroom design mistake by ensuring your bathroom layout suits the actual dimensions of the room and the people using it.

Watch out for: 

• Inward-opening doors that hit the basin 
• Toilets placed too close to showers or radiators 
• Vanity units that block walkways 

Tip: Work with a professional bathroom designer to map out the layout on a scale plan. Stick to the essentials and prioritise comfort over features. Sometimes, less really is more. 

3. Common Bathroom Design Mistake: Forgetting About Water Pressure

It’s easy to get carried away with the look of a stunning rainfall showerhead or a luxurious multi-outlet system, only to discover your water pressure can’t support it. 

Solution: 
Before specifying any fittings, check whether your home has a gravity-fed, combi, or unvented system. If your pressure is low, opt for pressure-friendly brands such as Ramon Soler, which offers stylish and efficient taps and showers for UK plumbing systems. 

4. Underestimating Bathroom Storage Needs

One of the most frequent bathroom design mistakes is not creating enough storage. Minimalist bathrooms often look great in brochures, but in real life, we all have lotions, razors, towels, toilet rolls, and children’s bath toys to deal with. A common bathroom design mistake is planning too little storage—or choosing impractical options that don’t suit your household. 

Better ideas include: 

• Recessed shelves in shower enclosures 
• Vanity units with deep drawers rather than cupboards 
• Tallboys or mirrored wall cabinets for vertical storage 

For durable, stylish storage that blends with your bathroom’s design, explore fitted ranges from Utopia or Interlübke, which combine sleek aesthetics with practical compartments.

5. Choosing the Wrong Materials for Wet Zones

A big bathroom design error is selecting materials that aren’t suited to humid or wet conditions. Wallpaper, untreated wood, or porous tiles may look appealing but can warp, peel or stain over time. 

Tip: For a durable, low-maintenance finish that looks high-end, consider Acquabella’s textured shower trays and wall panels. Their resin-based surfaces are non-porous, anti-slip, and easy to clean—ideal for busy family bathrooms.  

6. Installing a Shower That’s Too Small

A 760mm x 760mm shower cubicle might technically “fit” your room, but it’s far from comfortable for most adults. One of the most frequent bathroom layout mistakes is compromising on shower space. 

Advice: 
If you’re using a quadrant shower, aim for at least 900mm x 900mm. Even better, consider a walk-in shower with a Roman glass panel and flush tray. Roman offers British-made shower enclosures with smart glass coatings for easy maintenance, and their minimalist frameless styles work brilliantly in modern homes. 

7. Ignoring the Importance of Lighting

Many bathrooms are lit by a single ceiling fixture, resulting in shadowy corners and poor visibility—especially around the mirror. Layered lighting makes a huge difference. 

You should include: 

• Overhead ambient lighting (for overall brightness) 
• Task lighting near the mirror (for shaving or makeup) 
• Soft perimeter or under-cabinet lighting (for evening ambience) 

Tip: Choose IP-rated fittings that are safe for wet zones. LED mirror cabinets with integrated lighting from Decosan or Utopia can be an easy win for practical style. 

8. Common Bathroom Design Mistake: Poor Bathroom Ventilation 

Steam buildup leads to mould, paint peeling, and unpleasant smells. An extractor fan that’s too weak—or worse, non-existent—is one of the most damaging bathroom mistakes. 

Fix: 
Choose a fan that meets UK Building Regulations and suits the room size. Look for one with a humidity sensor, so it activates when needed without you having to remember. 

Also, avoid the common mistake of venting into the loft. Always direct extractor ducts outside to prevent moisture issues elsewhere in your home. 

9. Rushing Your Decisions

Under pressure to finish a renovation or swayed by discounts, many homeowners rush through their bathroom choices. This can lead to mismatched finishes, poor layouts, or products that don’t suit your lifestyle. 

A better approach: 
Visit a professional bathroom showroom where you can see full displays and get expert advice. You’ll be able to touch finishes, test out drawer mechanisms, and ask about material durability. If you’re in the process of choosing shower fittings, for instance, seeing a Ramon Soler thermostatic valve in action can be far more informative than viewing it online. 

10. Not Planning for Future Needs 

Your bathroom should work for you now—but also grow with your needs. Think about aging in place, young children, or guests with mobility needs. A stylish bathroom doesn’t need to sacrifice accessibility.

Ideas include: 

• Walk-in showers with flush trays 
• Wall-hung WCs at adjustable heights 
• Lever taps instead of knobs 
• Slip-resistant flooring in wet zones 

Acquabella and Roman both offer sleek, accessible designs that don’t compromise on style. With thoughtful planning, you can create a space that’s both futureproof and inviting. 

11. Overlooking Style Consistency

It’s tempting to mix and match different bathroom trends—industrial tiles, classic brassware, bold colours—but without a unifying concept, this can lead to a jarring result. The bathroom should feel connected to the style of your home. 

Solution: 
Aviod this common bathroom design mistake by choosing a palette and sticking to it. If you’re working with a designer, bring samples of adjacent rooms to ensure a smooth flow between spaces. Brands like Sonas and Utopia offer full collections that include basins, furniture, and accessories in coordinated finishes. 

12. Misjudging the Toilet Position 

Finally, avoid placing the toilet directly in view from the bathroom door. It’s a practical and visual misstep that’s easy to avoid with clever planning. 

Fix: 
Rearrange the bathroom layout so that the basin or bath is the first thing you see on entering. If that’s not feasible, consider a partial screen or tall furniture unit to break up the sightline. 

Final Thoughts: Plan With the Long-Term in Mind 

Designing a bathroom can feel like a series of big decisions—but if you break it down, it’s about planning a space that works for your routines, your family, and your future. Avoid the most common bathroom renovation mistakes by taking the time to consider layout, functionality, ventilation, storage, and lighting. 

Investing in high-quality fittings from reputable brands such as Ramon Soler, Roman, Acquabella, Utopia, Sonas, and Decosan can also help you avoid long-term regrets. 

Also, take your time! …Visit a local bathroom showroom, speak to an expert, and ask the right questions. A well-planned bathroom is one of the most satisfying upgrades you can make to your home—and with the right guidance, you’ll get it right the first time. 

If you’d like help designing a bathroom that works beautifully in real life (and not just on a mood board), speak to your local bathroom experts. Their advice might just save you from one of these common bathroom design mistakes.