# Bathroom Renovation – 10 Decisions Before Work Begins - URL: https://f-projektow.pl/en/bathroom-renovation-10-decisions-before-work-begins.htm - ID: 412 - Blog: ybc - Published: 2026-09-16T00:00:00+00:00 A bathroom renovation should not start with choosing tiles, the colour of the vanity unit or taps, but with making several important decisions that will affect the entire renovation process. In a bathroom, many elements are directly connected. The location of the shower affects the drain position, the type of washbasin determines the height of plumbing connections, built-in furniture influences the placement of electrical sockets, and the chosen mirror may require electrical wiring to be prepared before the tiles are installed. That is why it is worth finalising the most important design decisions before the plumber, electrician and tiler begin their work. If you are still at an earlier stage and would like to understand the entire bathroom design process, read our guide [How to Design a Bathroom? 12 Steps from Functional Layout to a Finished Interior](https://f-projektow.pl/pl/jak-zaprojektowac-lazienke-12-krokow-od-ukladu-funkcjonalnego-do-gotowego-wnetrza.htm). In this article, we focus specifically on what should be decided before the renovation begins. ## Where to Start a Bathroom Renovation? The Shortest Answer Before renovating a bathroom, you should finalise the layout of sanitary fixtures, decide between a bathtub and a shower, determine the location of the washing machine and built-in furniture, plan plumbing and electrical points, lighting, storage, finishing materials and the overall budget. Only after these elements have been approved should you begin installation work and order the fixtures and fittings. **The most important rule is simple: first make the decisions and prepare the design, then move on to installations, purchases and construction work.** ## 1. Define the Scope of the Bathroom Renovation The first decision is not about style, but about the scope of the work. You need to determine whether you are planning a complete bathroom renovation or simply refreshing its appearance. These are two completely different situations. With a full renovation, you can consider changing the location of the washbasin, shower, bathtub, washing machine or toilet. More extensive modifications to the plumbing and electrical systems may also be possible. With a smaller makeover, some elements can often remain in their existing locations, helping to reduce both the amount of work and the overall cost. At the very beginning, it is worth asking yourself one question: **what do we really want to change, and what can stay as it is?** Keeping the existing toilet location or plumbing stacks can significantly affect the available layout options. On the other hand, sometimes a relatively small change to the plumbing system can create a much more functional bathroom for many years to come. ## 2. Decide Who Will Use the Bathroom and How A bathroom for one person may be designed completely differently from the main bathroom used by a family of four. Before the renovation begins, you should therefore clearly define the function of the room. In our design work, we are interested not only in the number of users, but also in their everyday routines. A family with young children may need a bathtub. If there is only one bathroom in the apartment, additional storage may be particularly important. Two people getting ready at the same time in the morning may need a larger countertop or two washbasins. In another home, the priority may be fitting both a washing machine and a tumble dryer into the bathroom. These practical requirements should determine the interior layout rather than simply copying an inspirational photo found online. ## 3. Finalise the Layout of the Bathroom Fixtures This is one of the most important decisions to make before any installation work begins. You need to know exactly where the following elements will be located: - toilet, - washbasin, - bathtub or shower, - washing machine, - tumble dryer, - built-in furniture, - other bathroom fixtures and equipment. It is not enough to check whether all these elements physically fit on the floor plan. You also need to analyse the space required to use them comfortably, open drawers and doors, enter the shower and move freely around the room. In a small bathroom, moving a single element by just a few centimetres can completely change the functionality of the space. Our completed projects illustrate this very well. In our [approximately 5 m² bathroom design](https://f-projektow.pl/pl/projekt-lazienki-5m2-z-prysznicem-pralka-i-suszarka-jak-zaprojektowac-mala-przestrzen-bez-kompromisow.htm), we managed to combine a shower, toilet, washbasin and built-in storage with both a washing machine and tumble dryer within a very limited space. In bathrooms measuring around 3 m², every centimetre can affect how comfortably the room can be used. The layout should therefore be finalised before new plumbing connections are installed. ## 4. Bathtub or Shower? Do Not Leave This Decision Until Later Choosing between a bathtub and a shower affects much more than the appearance of the bathroom. It also influences the room layout, plumbing installation, drainage, waterproofing, built-in structures and often the placement of other bathroom fixtures. A shower can take the form of a traditional enclosure, a walk-in shower or a recessed shower area. Each option has different spatial requirements. Similarly, a bathtub may be built in, freestanding or fitted with a shower screen so that it can also function as a shower. In a small bathroom, a shower is not automatically the best option. In some of our projects, a bathtub with a shower screen has proved to be the most practical way to meet the needs of all household members. The decision should therefore be based on how the bathroom will actually be used, rather than on current trends alone. ## 5. Decide Where the Washing Machine, Dryer and Storage Will Be Located The washing machine should not be added to the design only after all the other fixtures have already been positioned. If laundry appliances are to be located in the bathroom, you should decide from the beginning whether the washing machine will be freestanding, built in, placed under a countertop or stacked with a tumble dryer in a tall cabinet. This affects the location of plumbing connections, electrical sockets, the depth of the cabinetry and the necessary service access. Storage is equally important. A bathroom visualisation may look excellent with just one small cabinet, but in everyday use you still need space for cosmetics, towels, spare toiletries, cleaning products, toilet paper, a hair dryer and a laundry basket. In small bathroom projects, we often make use of vertical space with tall cabinets, storage above the concealed toilet cistern, cupboards above the washing machine or custom-built furniture extending all the way to the ceiling. Storage should therefore be part of the functional layout from the beginning, rather than something added after the renovation has already been completed. ## 6. Finalise the Plumbing Only After Choosing the Specific Fixtures One of the most common renovation problems is installing plumbing connections before the final fixtures and fittings have been selected. Simply saying “the washbasin will go here” is not always enough. A countertop basin installed on a vanity unit with drawers may require different plumbing preparation from a traditional wall-mounted washbasin. A wall-mounted tap requires a different solution from a tap installed on the countertop. Concealed fittings also need to be prepared differently from standard exposed fittings. The same applies to showers, bathtubs, toilets and washing machines. Before plumbing work begins, it is therefore best to know at least the type, dimensions and installation method of the main bathroom fixtures. Particular care should be taken with concealed products. Once the wall has been closed and finished, later changes may require breaking into the wall again and can generate substantial additional costs. ## 7. Plan the Electrical System and Lighting Before Installing the Tiles A bathroom needs more than a single ceiling light. Before the renovation starts, you should already know where the mirror will be located, whether it will be illuminated, where electrical sockets will be required and whether additional LED strips or profiles are planned. The design should distinguish between general lighting, functional lighting around the mirror and decorative lighting. A standard mirror requires different preparation from a mirror with integrated lighting, while furniture with built-in LED lighting may require yet another electrical solution. If you are planning an electric towel radiator, underfloor heating mat, smart toilet or any other electrically powered equipment, this should also be included at an early stage. Changing the position of electrical wiring after the tiles have been installed is far more difficult than adjusting an electrical point during the design stage. Electrical solutions in a bathroom must, of course, meet the requirements applicable to the relevant bathroom zones and comply with current technical regulations. Electrical installations should therefore always be carried out by a suitably qualified professional. ## 8. Decide How the Furniture and Built-In Cabinetry Will Be Made Before the renovation begins, it is worth deciding which elements will be ready-made and which will be custom-made. A ready-made vanity unit may be cheaper and quicker to purchase, but the bathroom design must then be adapted to its exact dimensions. Custom furniture, on the other hand, makes it possible to use niches, the space above the concealed toilet cistern or the area surrounding the washing machine and dryer more effectively. This decision also affects the installations. If LED lighting is planned beneath a cabinet, an electrical supply needs to be prepared. If a socket for a hair dryer or electric toothbrush is to be located inside the cabinetry, its position should also be planned in advance. With drawers beneath the washbasin, potential conflicts with the waste pipe and plumbing connections must also be checked. This is why the furniture design should be prepared before the installation work is completed. ## 9. Set a Realistic Bathroom Renovation Budget A bathroom renovation budget includes much more than tiles and sanitary fixtures. You also need to account for taps and fittings, furniture, mirrors, lighting, shower glass, installation materials, plumbing and electrical work, labour costs and any custom-made elements. It is also worth keeping a contingency reserve for situations that cannot be predicted before the renovation begins, particularly in older properties. However, the most important thing is to establish your priorities. Not every element needs to come from the same price category. Sometimes it makes sense to spend more on concealed fittings or high-quality built-in furniture while saving money on decorative accessories. In another bathroom, the priority may be a large shower or extensive storage. At Fabryka Projektów, our bathroom designs combine products available from regular retailers with custom-made solutions, allowing the project to be adapted both to the room itself and to the client's planned budget. ## 10. Check the Design, Products and Documentation Before the Contractors Begin The final question is essentially: **has everything been defined precisely enough for the renovation to begin?** This is the right moment for a final review. You should verify the room dimensions, specific fixture models, the opening direction of the shower enclosure or bath screen, furniture widths, the placement of plumbing and electrical points and the availability of the most important materials. If the project includes technical documentation, contractors should receive it before starting the relevant stages of work rather than after the work is already underway. With our [online bathroom design service](https://f-projektow.pl/pl/21-projekt-lazienki-projektowanie-lazienki.html), the scope may include 3D visualisations, product selection, a shopping list and material specification, while more comprehensive packages can also include technical drawings and the placement of electrical and plumbing points. This means that many important decisions can be made on screen before changing them would involve breaking into walls or ordering materials again. ## What Should Be Finalised Before a Bathroom Renovation Begins? Before the contractors arrive, it is worth finalising the following: - the scope of the renovation, - the users' needs, - the final functional layout, - the choice between a bathtub and a shower, - the location of the washing machine, dryer and storage, - the plumbing layout, - the electrical system and lighting, - built-in furniture and cabinetry, - the budget and purchasing priorities, - specific products and the documentation required by contractors. If several of these points are still undecided, it is usually better not to begin work that will be difficult or expensive to reverse later. ## What Should You Avoid Buying Before the Bathroom Layout Is Finalised? Particular caution should be taken when purchasing large elements that have a major impact on the room layout. A shower enclosure, bathtub, vanity unit or concealed fittings should all be selected according to the actual room dimensions and the overall bathroom concept. A promotional offer may look attractive, but buying a product before the design is prepared can later force you to accept a less functional bathroom layout. It is much safer to finalise the layout first, choose specific products afterwards and only then begin the renovation. ## Why Is It Worth Preparing a Bathroom Design Before Renovation? A bathroom is one of those rooms where many decisions become difficult to change once the installations and wall or floor finishes have been completed. In a living room, it is relatively easy to move an armchair or replace a chest of drawers. In a bathroom, moving a concealed tap, drain or toilet can require significantly more extensive renovation work. A bathroom design therefore allows different solutions to be tested before they are physically implemented. Visualisations help assess proportions, materials and the overall appearance of the interior, while technical documentation organises the information needed by contractors. If you are planning a renovation and are unsure how to arrange the fixtures, installations and built-in furniture, an [individual bathroom design](https://f-projektow.pl/pl/21-projekt-lazienki-projektowanie-lazienki.html) allows these decisions to be made before construction work begins. ## Frequently Asked Questions Before a Bathroom Renovation ## Should the plumbing or the bathroom design come first? The functional layout and specific design solutions should be finalised first. Only then can the plumbing connections be positioned correctly and intentionally. ## When should you choose between a bathtub and a shower? Before the plumbing layout is finalised. The size and type of bathing area affect the layout of the entire bathroom. ## Do you need to choose the tiles before the plumbing is installed? This is not the most important decision at the beginning. The function of the room, fixtures and installations should be established first. Finishing materials can be refined once the functional layout has been approved. ## Do you need to know the exact tap and fitting models before renovation? For many products, this is highly recommended, and it is particularly important for concealed fittings. Specific products determine how the plumbing should be prepared and how the fixtures will ultimately be installed. ## How far in advance should you start designing a bathroom? Ideally, you should start early enough to complete the design, make any necessary revisions, select products and prepare the technical documentation before the contractors are due to begin work. Starting the design when the plumber is already waiting for decisions about connection points significantly limits the time available to analyse the interior properly. ## Can a bathroom be designed online? Yes. An online bathroom design can be prepared using accurate room measurements, photographs of the existing interior, a floor plan and information about the users' expectations. At Fabryka Projektów, the entire process can take place online – from the initial concept and visualisations to the shopping list and, depending on the selected package, technical documentation for contractors. ## A Bathroom Renovation Begins Before the First Hammer Swing Many of the biggest renovation problems are not caused by the colour of the tiles or the choice of mirror. They arise when installations are completed too early, measurements have not been properly checked, there is not enough storage space or a specific product has been purchased before the entire layout has been finalised. That is why a well-prepared renovation starts with decisions. The layout, fixtures, plumbing, electrical system, furniture, materials and budget should all form one coherent plan. If you would like to see the entire design process, from the first measurements through to preparing the interior for implementation, read our guide [How to Design a Bathroom? 12 Steps from Functional Layout to a Finished Interior](https://f-projektow.pl/pl/jak-zaprojektowac-lazienke-12-krokow-od-ukladu-funkcjonalnego-do-gotowego-wnetrza.htm). If you would like a solution designed specifically for your room, you can order an [online bathroom design from Fabryka Projektów](https://f-projektow.pl/pl/21-projekt-lazienki-projektowanie-lazienki.html) and finalise the key decisions before the renovation begins. ```