10 important stages of bathroom renovation: an invaluable guide from a foreman

To harmoniously decorate a kitchen interior in orange, designers recommend adhering to the following rules:

We have prepared a step-by-step plan consisting of ten key stages for you. It is based on many years of experience of master craftsmen and will help you turn a complex process into a clear and understandable route.

Orange in the kitchen means energy, warmth, and good mood. It makes the space lively and cozy, whether it's a bright apron, colorful furniture, or accents in the decor. The main thing is not to overdo it: one wall, orange-colored furniture, or textiles are enough to liven up the interior. When combined with neutral shades—beige, gray, white—orange looks stylish and modern, and with contrasting colors, such as blue or green, it adds a touch of spice. Look at the photo examples for inspiration and choose your own option—from bold to subtle.

1. Bright orange tones are associated with activity and always attract attention, so they can be used to highlight certain areas in a room. As a rule, this color is used to decorate the work area.

According to psychologists, shades of orange can have a beneficial effect on a person's psycho-emotional state: depression is eliminated, mood improves, and optimism appears. In addition, the use of orange tones in kitchen interiors helps to increase appetite. Despite all the advantages of this color, it should be used with caution, as an overly saturated design will visually reduce the size of the room and may cause aggression.

Designers' recommendations

Approach budget planning wisely and consider important details at the bathroom design stage. Let's take heated floors as an example. Many people consider floor heating to be an unnecessary expense or worry that electric floors are unsafe. In fact, it is a long-term investment in your own comfort: it reduces humidity in the bathroom, protects your health, prevents you from stepping on a cold floor barefoot, and creates a comfortable microclimate. There is no need to worry about safety either: installation takes place during the screed stage, so the electrical element is completely insulated.

In this sense, heated floors are just as important as good finishing materials or furniture. Moreover, within the overall budget, heated floors cannot be considered a huge expense. Water leak sensors can be included in the same category—these devices may seem insignificant, but they guarantee peace of mind and protection from flooding your neighbors and damaging expensive repairs.

Tip .: there is no need to postpone the installation of underfloor heating until the end of the renovation. The heating element is installed under the tiles — it is invisible and safe, does not spoil the design of the bathroom, and remains isolated from direct contact with water. At the same time, underfloor heating provides maximum comfort.

Teplolux offers a wide range of underfloor heating systems: cable, heating mats, or film underfloor heating. The heating system can be equipped with an electronic or mechanical thermostat—choose the option that suits you best. By the way, even a basic thermostat can help you save at least 30% on electricity.

An underfloor heating system helps maintain optimal humidity levels without drying out the air. And you can control it directly through an app on your smartphone — comfort is just a click away.

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Stage 2. Preparatory work

To make an orange kitchen look aesthetically pleasing and evoke only positive emotions, it is necessary to combine colors correctly in its design. An ineptly chosen color scheme can ruin the entire room and even turn its advantages into disadvantages. In interior design, orange tones go well with the following colors. 2. When thinking about the design of an orange kitchen, it's important to remember that this color has the ability to make objects look closer, so you need to use it carefully. The combination of orange and blue is considered a classic that is always in style. Although both shades are quite saturated, they are opposites, so they can balance the design palette, creating exceptional harmony.

We have already mentioned that new buildings often lack walls. And if they do have walls, there may be a number of shortcomings: for example, the walls may be built incorrectly or crookedly, or the developer may have originally used materials that do not meet the requirements. In these cases, it is recommended to dismantle the walls and rebuild them. The same scenario applies in the case of redevelopment, which, by the way, must be approved.

Stage 3. Building walls and plastering

Usually, bathroom walls are built from aerated concrete blocks or bricks: this decision is dictated by the practicality of the materials. Cement-based plaster can be easily applied to a brick wall—this is the best choice because cement is not affected by moisture. If you choose gypsum, you will need to waterproof the entire bathroom.

Tip: be sure to set the beacons (guides that ensure the desired surface flatness) so that the angles are 90° everywhere. The level should be vertical, and the plane should be horizontal.

Stage 4. Electrical work

After plastering, the electrical work is carried out. When renovating according to a design project, we understand where to install sockets, temperature controls for underfloor heating, switches, connections for lighting or leak protection, as well as the lighting itself.

Be sure to install a second potential level circuit — in simple terms, this is a second grounding protection. It is additionally installed in each outlet, as well as on all metal objects — water supply pipes, cast iron bathtubs, ceiling frames, or boxes with a collector unit — all these elements must be grounded.

Since there are many appliances in the bathroom and the room itself is a high-humidity area, several lines of wires should be run to the switchboard — separately for the washing machine, flow-through or storage-type boiler, leak protection, and other outlets. Important: the switchboard must be equipped with protection against leaks and short circuits.

Design: AM| Interior studio

Step 5. Plumbing communications

Toilet

The design project specifies where the washing machine, bathtub or shower cabin, and toilet will be located, and whether there will be a hygienic shower. I recommend installing a concealed toilet rather than a conventional one. There are many misconceptions that they are unreliable and that there is no access for repairs if they break down. In reality, it's very simple: you just need to remove the button, and you will have access to all the elements, just like in a regular toilet.

Hygienic shower

It is worth mentioning the hygienic shower separately: it is used both for its intended purpose and for technical needs—for example, to fill a bucket with water to wash the floors. There are different types of hygienic showers: a mixer near the toilet or a mixer mounted on a manifold.

Manifold

Why do you need a manifold? These are separate taps that control each line of water supply in the bathroom. It is necessary to prevent pressure drops when two devices are used simultaneously. And if something breaks down (for example, a mixer in the kitchen or bathroom), you can turn off the tap separately and not be left without water.

Pressure reducer

Next, you need to install a pressure reducer to protect against high pressure in the common drain. Not all faucets and faucet connections are designed for high pressure: the reducer helps regulate the pressure from 6 atmospheres to 2 atmospheres and also ensures that the water pressure is not too strong.

Protection against leaks

Don't forget about leak protection. Many people think that you can do without it, but those who have at least once encountered leaks and flooding of neighbors below know that protection is essential.

Sewer noise insulation

Developers usually install the cheapest, thin-walled pipes. If you don't live on the upper floors, they can be very noisy, so soundproofing is required. What kind of soundproofing is available? There are special kits for sewage systems, and some people use car soundproofing. It is better to choose a special type, which is double-layered and protects against impact noise.

Bathroom renovation is a big job, but if you do it step by step, everything will turn out easily and without unnecessary expenses. The main thing is to start with a plan: clearly define what you are changing, think through the layout of the plumbing and electrical wiring. Then comes the dismantling of the old, waterproofing, and leveling of the walls and floor. Only after that should you lay the tiles, install the plumbing fixtures, and install the lighting. Each stage is important, and nothing can be skipped—otherwise, even a beautiful finish will quickly deteriorate. By following a proven sequence, you can make your bathroom beautiful, comfortable, and durable without any surprises.

Stage 6. Floor screed

In partial repairs and old buildings or secondary housing, screed is not always required. But if it is needed, soundproofing must be installed underneath it (throughout the entire apartment so that you cannot hear your neighbors above and below). Next, screed is poured onto the floors: take into account the thickness of the tiles, adhesive, and underfloor heating.

Stage 7. Installation of underfloor heating

Usually, 10 mm is left for underfloor heating. Why is underfloor heating necessary in the bathroom? It is not such an expensive solution, but it has many advantages: you will not step on cold tiles with wet feet, the humidity level in the room will decrease, the air will heat up evenly, and warm floors also guarantee safety — water dries quickly, so no one will slip if they take a bath after you.

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Stage 8. Tiling

Next, we make a layout for laying the tiles. Today, large-format finishing materials are very common, ranging from 1.20 by 60 to 3 m by 1.20 in width. It is important to understand exactly how you will lay the tiles and how much trimming will be required, as the price varies greatly depending on the format.

Stage 9. Installation of plumbing fixtures and towel dryer

Bathtub or shower?

If you choose a shower, sewer connections are usually very expensive in apartments, and it is not possible to make the shower flush with the main floor—you have to raise it and make a tray. Trays also come in different types. In construction, a screed is poured, waterproofing is done, and tiles are laid.

If you choose a bathtub, there are four types available: acrylic, cast iron, steel, and cast marble. It is better to give preference to cast marble with its perfect geometry. We need this so that we can lay tiles on the bathtub with a minimum gap between the bathtub and the tiles. It also allows you to create a smooth screen — the connection between the bathtub and the tiles will be perfectly even.

Towel dryer

I do not recommend installing a water towel warmer: in most cases, they leak, and they are also called “time bombs.” Why is that? If you look at secondary markets, where towel warmers have been installed for a long time, they are connected directly and are therefore safe. Modern towel warmers are connected via joints — they do not come from the manifold and do not pass through a pressure reducer. Over time, the joints fail and the towel warmer starts to leak.

I recommend installing an electric towel warmer. They can be very economical—up to 70 watts. These models do not leak, can be turned on and off as desired, and can be set to a specific temperature for a specific time. The most significant advantage is that they can be hung anywhere, which is not the case with water towel warmers.

These are all the main steps you need to take on the way to a new bathroom. As you can see, the process requires attention to detail and a consistent approach. Skipping or rearranging any of the stages means risking the quality of the entire renovation.

The main tip to take away from this guide is to take your time. Let each layer of plaster, glue, or waterproofing dry thoroughly. Rushing one step almost always creates problems in the next.

Remember that careful planning and choosing materials in advance will save you a lot of time and stress. And if you have any doubts, it is always better to consult a specialist. Good luck with your renovation, and may your new bathroom bring you joy for many years to come!