Bathroom DIY tasks you can't afford to neglect

The bathroom is often one room of the house where we don't carry out much DIY, but there are some simple tasks that could make all the difference to the space. After all, it's a place where you go to relax, wash away your day's troubles and perhaps even apply your makeup in the morning, so bathroom renovation could have more of an impact than you think.

It can sometimes be difficult to know where to start, so here are just some of the jobs you might want to prioritise when renovating the bathroom this winter.

Focus on the most relevant bathroom renovations

Everyone has different ambitions when it comes to renovating the bathroom, which is why you need to focus your attention on which areas you most want to change. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that in December last year, the value of alterations and additions to residential buildings improved 3.2 per cent from 12 months earlier.

It can be all too easy to get carried away with renovations projects, so once you've established your budget, make a start on deciding which ones to prioritise.

Clean the grouting on your bathroom tiles

Grime and dirt can easily build up on and between your bathroom tiles, so why not give it some elbow grease? You might be surprised just how much of a difference it makes to the space!

You can use some items you might have lying around the house to clean the grouting. White vinegar is a good place to start - put some in a spray bottle and apply to the affected area. Leave for around five minutes before moving onto the next stage.

Apply some baking soda to the area and work with a stiff brush. It will react with the vinegar and slowly remove the grime. Finish the process by washing it away with warm water.

Upgrading your shower could cut your bills.

Invest in some storage

Every bathroom needs its fair share of storage. Toiletries, toothbrushes and even cleaning products can start to take up valuable space unless you have some storage solutions in place.

When you're renovating the bathroom, take a look at where items are starting to gather. Cupboards, sets of drawers and shelving can help keep everything out of the way, while still being close by whenever you need it.

Tighten up those dripping taps

A dripping tap is more than just annoying, as it can also run up your household bills if left unattended for extended periods. Environment Victoria estimates that it's possible to waste as much as 24,000 litres of water per year, which should be just the incentive you need to take action.

If you're not sure how to fix a dripping tap then you'll be glad to hear it's easier than you might think. In the majority of cases, all you'll need to do is turn off the supply of water to your home, remove the tap using a shifting spanner before replacing the washer.

In the event that you're not convinced by your own bathroom DIY skills, get in touch with a plumber who will be able to do it for you.

Upgrade your flooring

Bathroom flooring needs to be hard-wearing and waterproof, so if yours isn't functioning well in either of these areas, it's time for an upgrade. You might need to learn how to sand a floor if you're taking up an existing covering to make sure the surface underneath is even.

Among the flooring options suitable for a bathroom are vinyl, tiles and laminate. However, there's been a growing trend for people using concrete, not least because it is functional and stands the test of time. If you decide this is the right choice for you, make sure you polish the concrete so it looks its best.

Get a more efficient showerhead

Water saving showerheads are easy to come by and could be another way of reducing your utility bills. Data from Yarra Valley Water (YVW) shows that a traditional showerhead will use between 12 and 15 litres of water per minute, compared to around seven for a more modern version.

Bathroom upgrades can make a big difference to your home.

So, if your existing shower is leaking or you've not upgraded it for a while, make sure you factor this in when renovating the bathroom. Speak to someone at your local hardware store if you need a little guidance.

If you really are serious about reducing water consumption, you really should be using the shower more often than the bath, so it's a good idea to focus on this when upgrading your bathroom. Additional YVW figures reveal that a half-full bath will use around 80 litres of water on average, which just goes to show why such great money savings can be made.