Remodelling Bathrooms in Old Houses

Whether you’re a property developer or setting up a home of your own, remodelling the bathroom in an old house or apartment can be hugely rewarding. First of all, it will transform the space, helping to give new life to your fixer-upper property. It could also offer some period charms of its own to give it a unique sense of luxury. Here are a few things to look out for when remodelling the bathroom in a period property.

Assess the plumbing

Respect period features

Don’t be afraid of the sledgehammer

Assess the plumbing

Outdated plumbing is common in old houses, so it’s important to check the quality of the pipes, ideally before you buy. Turn on the washbasin tap and check the pressure. If the pressure is low, that’s a good indicator that there’s a leak. Also, look at the walls and ceilings to check for moisture, as that can be an indicator of leaky pipes, too.

If the bathroom needs re-piping, that will be one of the first jobs to get sorted (after the electrics, which will form part of the wider home remodelling project—see our guide here). Just be careful not to damage any period features that you’d like to keep when investigating the plumbing.

Respect period features

One of the most exciting aspects of buying a period property is when it comes with stunning original features. Whether they’re in pristine condition or able to help you create a shabby chic look in the space, respecting period bathroom features, such as old brass taps or marble tiling, will give your bathroom a sense of historic grandeur.

Lookout for things like old cast iron bathtubs, which—as This Old House agrees—can be easily repaired and re-enamelled. This will really emphasise the antique quality of the space. If there isn’t one, there are lots of modern alternatives to choose from, including lots of retro bathtubs, so it’s not the end of the world.

Even if you want to incorporate modern elements in your bathroom, balancing them out with period features can bring a cool, retro-futurist aspect to the space. Plus, the combination of old, irreplaceable elements and new products will mean that your bathroom is well and truly unique to your home.

Don’t be afraid of the sledgehammer

On the flipside of the above argument, it’s important to remember that renovating a period property is about creating a home—whether it’s yours or your future buyer’s. So, don’t be so worried about maintaining original bathroom features that you’re afraid to replace broken, dilapidated or faulty elements.

Sure, if there’s a single missing ornate floor tile, maybe you can replace it with a plain one that’s been colour-matched to avoid any negative aesthetic impact. You might even be able to find contemporary replicas, if you’re lucky. A leaky shower tap, or a faulty cistern on a toilet—no matter how stylish and ornate—though? Well, they’re just going to make using the bathroom more difficult, so in this case, the sledgehammer is your friend.

Looking for something else to read? Check out our article on Pitfalls to Avoid when Remodelling Your Bathroom.