What you should know when turning a bedroom into a bathroom

You may have thought about turning a bedroom into a bathroom anytime. The concept seems relatively simple: you have a spare bedroom that is not used that much, and you would like to have a second bathroom at home. It can be done, but some questions may arise before turning a bedroom into a bathroom. We will answer them here.

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Is it possible to turn a bedroom into a bathroom?

It is possible, although you need to take into consideration a potentially high cost and obtain the required building permits if necessary. Usually, one of the major setbacks for people who want to turn a bedroom into a bathroom is the financial burden it comes with it.

On the other hand, obtaining the necessary permits and building regulations shouldn’t be one of your main concerns. Only make sure you have the proper permits for your area before starting renovation work.

How much can it cost?

The cost of turning a bedroom into a bathroom will not only be defined by practical aspects, such as access to plumbing and labour. It is also helpful to think about what kind of bathroom you are thinking of. Do you wish for a semi-luxurious bathroom with the best materials? Maybe something more minimalist?

All in all, you should choose fixtures that are in line with the rest of your house. If you don’t plan to sell your house and want to stay in it for years to come, consider spending a little more on high-quality materials that can resist the test of time.

In the United Kingdom, the cost of turning a bedroom into a bathroom can be anywhere between £7000 to £24,000 depending on the renovation work, the materials, window enlargements, and the customisation of your space.

Silestone Ethereal Bathroom

6 Questions to ask before turning a bedroom into a bathroom

1. Do you need planning permission?

Typically, you won’t need planning permission to turn a bedroom into a bathroom unless the building is listed or is a part of a house extension. Sometimes, you may also need building control approval, depending on the extent of the renovations.

2. Is it worth converting a bedroom into a bathroom?

It mainly depends on your home’s size. If your house is small and you think this lack of space could affect you or your family’s comfort, it might not be a good idea. However, if you have a house with space you don’t use, or four or five bedrooms, you will likely benefit from it and increase your property value.

In general, bedrooms are more highly-priced than bathrooms, closets, or laundry rooms. If you don’t plan to sell your home in the future, this should not be of concern to you. If you are planning it as an investment, carefully consider it before starting renovation work.

3. Does the bedroom have easy access to plumbing?

In connection with the previous point, plumbing costs can be substantial, especially if access to water and sewer lines is far from the bedroom you want to turn into a bathroom.

At the same time, these costs can also increase if you haven’t enough space under the floor to install the pipes. When creating your budget, prioritise these two aspects to calculate your expenses effectively.

4. Is the size of the room big enough?

Another practical consideration is knowing your bedroom’s size. Large bathrooms are not always the best choice, but tiny bathrooms aren’t, either. Make sure that you can install all the furniture you want and consider if you wish to add a bathtub. 

Anything you want to install must be realistically calculated with the space you currently have in your bedroom, and the bathroom needs to have a practical layout.

5. How much natural light and privacy will you have?

In order to know if turning your bedroom into a bathroom will positively affect your house, consider the following: natural light and privacy.

On one side, a gloomy bathroom is not as appealing as one with sunlight coming in from the window. Moreover, you may consider enlarging windows or installing skylights to improve access to natural light.

On the other, consider privacy. Sunlight is always good, but privacy may suffer with larger windows and bigger spaces, depending on where your bathroom will be located. Window treatments are one solution to this.

6. Do you have enough ventilation?

Bathrooms require enough ventilation to eliminate foul odours, moisture, and humidity and prevent the generation of mildew and mould.

For example, if you install a bathtub and enjoy long baths, the windows need to be large and open enough to get rid of the humidity. If you only plan to install a shower in your new bathroom, it can be enough with a fan and a hole in the ceiling.