Bathroom Blunders You’ll Regret Later

Bathrooms are small spaces where every centimetre matters, yet somehow they’re the scene of some of the biggest design regrets.

From doors that block towel rails to mirrors hung for giants, most mistakes come down to planning – or rather, not enough of it. Here’s how to avoid the ones that will drive you mad later.

The Door That Blocks the Towel Rail

It sounds trivial until you live with it. The door swings open and smacks into the towel rail, or worse, blocks the radiator entirely.

Always check the door swing before fixing plumbing or electrics. Sometimes flipping the hinge or switching to a sliding or pocket door saves the entire layout.

Nowhere to Hang a Towel

A beautiful shower loses its appeal when you have to drip your way across cold tiles to reach a towel. Always plan a hook or rail within arm’s reach of the shower or bath – and while you’re at it, add one for a robe too.

Shower Screens That Leak (and Stain)

A sleek frameless screen looks great until you discover the puddle outside it – or the streaks that never go away. Make sure the shower floor slopes towards the drain, not away from it, and avoid placing the hinge where the water sprays. If you’re choosing glass, look for one with a built-in stain-resistant coating which helps prevent lime scale and soap build-up. It’s worth it.

Lighting That Flatters No One

Ceiling downlights directly above the mirror are the enemy of good mornings. They cast deep shadows and make you look permanently exhausted.

Place lights on either side of the mirror at eye level instead – soft, even illumination is infinitely kinder.

The Mirror That’s Too High

It happens more often than you’d think. Mirrors are installed to suit the tallest person in the house, leaving everyone else admiring their hairline. Measure at your own eye level before it goes on the wall. Obviously, the same happens the other way around (I should know, I am tall!).

Toilet Placement Regrets

Toilets squeezed into corners or directly in the sightline of the hallway door never look or feel right. Give them space, and where possible, a bit of privacy. Just because it fits on the plan doesn’t mean it works in real life.

Power Points in the Wrong Place

You’ll thank yourself later for thinking about plugs. Hairdryers, toothbrush chargers and shavers all need access to power, but not near the basin.

Plan outlets on the wall beside the mirror, keeping them out of splash zones and within safe regulations. I have mine inside my cupboard. Perfect to store my hairdryer and I never even unplug it.

The Basin That Splashes Everywhere

Shallow, flat-bottomed basins look elegant in showrooms and utterly impractical at home. Pairing one with a high-pressure tap is asking for trouble.

Choose a deeper bowl and make sure the water falls near the centre, not the edge.

And while we’re at it, black basins – stunning, sculptural, but completely unforgiving. Every speck of toothpaste and dried water mark will show. They photograph beautifully, but you need to clean them constantly.

Poor Ventilation

Bathrooms need proper extraction, full stop. Steam without ventilation leads to mould, peeling paint, and rusting fittings.

A quiet fan on a timer will do more for your long-term happiness than any scented candle.

The Tile Grout Disaster

White grout looks pristine until real life happens. Mid-tone greys or taupes hide water marks and stay looking clean longer. It’s not glamorous advice, but you’ll thank it every time you clean.

No Storage for the Real Stuff

Those open shelves look dreamy in magazines until toothpaste, razors and half-used shampoo bottles appear.

Always include at least one closed cabinet for the not-so-aesthetic necessities.

Radiator and Towel Rail Overlap

Too many heating elements waste precious wall space. Decide early whether you want a radiator, a towel warmer, or both – and place them so doors, windows, and mirrors still have room to breathe.

Drainage Direction

It should be obvious, but often isn’t: water needs to fall toward the drain. Always check the slope before tiles go down. Fixing it later is not a job anyone enjoys.

The Overlooked Shelf

Shampoo bottles on the floor aren’t minimalist; they’re just awkward. Built-in niches are the holy grail – tidy, functional, and clean-lined. But they need to be planned before the tiler arrives, so the waterproofing and tile layout can accommodate them.

Shower Controls That Make Sense

One small change that feels surprisingly luxurious: position your shower knobs where you enter the shower, not directly under the shower head. That way, you can turn it on, adjust the temperature, and step in without getting drenched (my pet hate). Once you’ve lived with it, there’s no going back.

Swing or Slide?

If your shower door swings out and blocks the loo or vanity, you’ll curse it daily. In smaller bathrooms, sliding glass doors are worth considering – they save space and make cleaning easier. I have this in my shower and will never go back.

Cold Feet

If you’re using tiles or stone, consider underfloor heating. It’s one of those small luxuries that makes a big difference in daily comfort. Once installed, you’ll never want to live without it.

A well-designed bathroom isn’t about expensive fittings or spa lighting. It’s about getting the basics right. Because the most beautiful space still fails if you can’t dry your hands, see your face, or keep your socks dry.