New Year New Bathroom: How to Plan Your 2027 Renovation
If a new bathroom is on your list for 2027, this guide will help you plan it properly from the start.
Step 1: Define What You Actually Want
Be honest about what's driving the renovation. Is it grout that won't come clean? A cramped shower tray when you'd love a wetroom? A dated style that belongs in the 1990s? The answer shapes everything.
Step 2: Set a Realistic Budget
| Scope | Typical cost range |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh (panels, new taps, accessories) | £500–£1,500 |
| Part renovation (new shower, panels, floor) | £1,500–£4,000 |
| Full renovation (everything including sanitaryware) | £4,000–£10,000+ |
| Wetroom conversion | £2,500–£6,000 |
Build in a 15–20% contingency. Surprises behind walls in older UK properties are common.
Step 3: Prioritise
- Infrastructure first — replace failing plumbing, fix damp, update electrics
- Waterproofing — the shower/bath wall covering is the highest-impact decision. Wall panels deliver the best combination of waterproofing and visual transformation.
- Sanitaryware — update what's failed or dated
- Fittings and hardware — taps, shower head, towel rails
- Accessories and styling — mirrors, lighting, storage
Step 4: Choose Your Materials Now
Wall covering: PVC or SPC panels vs tiles — see our full comparison. Flooring: SPC bathroom flooring — waterproof, warm underfoot, DIY-friendly. Shower format: enclosure with tray, or full wetroom conversion.
Step 5: Plan the Timeline
For a 2027 renovation: finalise design by January, order materials and book trades in February, target installation in March or April.
Quick Win: Cosmetic Refresh in a Weekend
Not ready for a full renovation? Wall panels, new taps and shower fittings, and updated accessories can transform a bathroom for under £1,000 — and most of it can be DIY'd in a weekend.