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Bathroom renovation: why invest in roof windows?

8 min read
A young girl playing by the bathtub in a bright bathroom with a VELUX roof window, allowing plenty of natural light.

It is estimated that on average each of us spends 1 hour and 42 minutes in the bathroom per week. That is quite a lot of time and a sufficient reason to take care of a better and more cozy climate in this room.

When planning a bathroom renovation, consider the use of roof windows. Introducing natural light into the bathroom has many advantages, from improving comfort to energy savings. If you are considering installing new windows in your bathroom, this article will help you understand why it's worth investing in roof windows.

Key takeaways
    1. Evaluate your current bathroom
      Start by considering what you like about your current bathroom. This will help you determine whether a complete renovation is necessary or if a few minor changes will suffice.
    2. Use natural light for a luxurious feel
      If you want to achieve a home spa effect or create a luxurious bathroom, access to natural light will be key.

    3. Add smart solutions for better air quality
      Adding smart home solutions allows you to easily control the microclimate in your bathroom. The VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO system monitors and controls indoor air quality and sends data from the home sensor to your smartphone.

Design the bathroom of your dreams 

Bathroom renovations should always be carefully considered. A bathroom is a space that must be as functional and practical as possible. Ideally, it should also be a little luxurious. Designing a dream bathroom comes down to planning and budget. The following list of ideas will help you get started on this investment:

Start by thinking about the purpose of your bathroom renovation and what effect you want to achieve. Start with the current state. Take a close look at your bathroom and think about what you like about it, what you absolutely want to change, and what you can keep. Renovation doesn't have to mean revolution. Sometimes, a different tile, fixtures, or a change of decoration is enough. However, if you decide that a major renovation is necessary, prepare well for it.

It's essential to consider the size of your space and how to optimize the layout for functionality and aesthetics. Here are some specific tips for small, medium, and large bathrooms, with a focus on maximizing daylight through roof windows.

DIY bathroom renovation: Small bathrooms

In small bathrooms, every inch counts. Use compact fixtures and opt for a walk-in shower instead of a bathtub to save space. Wall-mounted sinks and toilets can free up floor space, making the room feel larger. Install a VELUX roof window to flood the room with natural light, making it appear more spacious and open. Skylights can also provide a direct source of daylight, reducing the need for artificial lighting and helps the smaller space to appear bigger.

Medium sized bathrooms

Medium-sized bathrooms offer more flexibility in layout. Consider a combination of a shower and a bathtub to accommodate different preferences. A double vanity can be a great addition if space allows, providing extra storage and convenience. Position your fixtures to make the best use of natural light from a roof window. A centrally placed VELUX roof window can illuminate the entire bathroom evenly, creating a bright and inviting space.

General renovation of a large bathrooms

In larger bathrooms, you have the luxury of incorporating more features without compromising on space. Consider creating separate zones for the shower, bathtub, and vanity areas. A freestanding bathtub can serve as a focal point, while a spacious walk-in shower offers comfort and accessibility.

Multiple VELUX roof windows strategically placed can ensure that each zone receives ample daylight, enhancing the room's overall atmosphere and reducing reliance on artificial lighting.

Planning fixture layout in your bathroom

Regardless of bathroom size, the layout of fixtures plays a crucial role in functionality. Place the sink near the entrance for easy access, and position the toilet in a more discreet area. If installing a bathtub, consider placing it under a roof window to enjoy natural light while bathing. Ensure that the shower area is well-lit by positioning a skylight above it, providing a bright and airy feel. Think about the layout of electrical outlets and devices.

Think about how the lighting should look. Plan the cabinets and consider the layout of the facade and roof windows. After the renovation, making major changes to the installations can be very expensive or even impossible, so remember to carefully analyze and plan everything, because this way you can avoid a lot of stress and big expenses.

Do you have a plan and a budget prepared?

Regardless of whether you plan to renovate yourself or use the services of a renovation team, it is worth taking a careful approach to both the bathroom design plan and the budget calculation.

Bathroom renovation is an investment. Approach it professionally by setting a budget and a schedule. If you decide to do everything yourself, allow more time for each stage. Consider whether you will be able to do the electrical and plumbing work yourself or whether it would be better to hire professionals.

A detailed plan will help your contractor understand what you want from your renovation. If you're hiring professionals, make sure you understand each other's work perfectly; don't assume the plumber can read your mind. Explain every element of your plan to the professionals in detail. Once the work begins, supervise and stay on track to make sure everything is going according to plan.

Small bathroom renovation budget

Small bathroom? No problem! This means you don't have to make big plans. Bathrooms are usually smaller than other rooms in the house, so you can get a little crazy within your budget.

For spaces under 100 square meters, you can find affordable underfloor heating systems. Smart showers and bathtubs save energy and increase comfort. Think about what you can afford without breaking your budget and, whenever possible, reuse, repair, recycle or buy used items.

For more detailed inspiration and expert tips on managing your bathroom renovation efficiently, from planning to completion, check out our comprehensive bathroom renovation guide. It will help you navigate the process with confidence, whether you're working with a small or large space.

Why natural light is the best idea for bathroom renovations

Natural light in the bathroom has a huge impact on our well-being. With roof windows, you can fully utilize daylight, making the space brighter and more inviting.

Let natural light in to create an optically larger space

Allowing natural light into your bathroom will completely change its look and feel. Daylight brings the space to life, bringing out the true colors of walls and decorations. It is also crucial if you want to achieve a luxurious or private spa effect. 

Bathrooms are rarely large. They are usually small and cramped spaces, which poses a real challenge in terms of both decoration and lighting. Both of these problems can be easily solved with roof windows. Because they are mounted high above your head, they make the room seem larger than it is. Roof windows let in plenty of daylight into the bathroom, improve its appearance and help ensure good air quality. 

Discover how to transform a dimly lit space into a bright and inviting room with these 7 tips.

Fresh air and ventilation

Roof windows will also help to get rid of moisture. When you take a shower, the bathroom fills with steam and everything becomes soaked with moisture, which is why it is so important to provide access to fresh air and proper ventilation. After bathing, you can open a large window and air the bathroom. 

Choosing the right roof window for your bathroom

To choose roof windows well, you need to know what the final effect should be and remember what is important. When it comes to illuminating the bathroom with daylight, you need to know its position relative to the cardinal directions, as this will help you to optimally position the window. If the goal is to improve ventilation, the window should be mounted as high as possible to let in more air and improve its circulation.

Electric roof windows - easy access to daylight  

Electric or solar powered roof windows are a great solution for smaller bathrooms. A narrow or small bathroom can feel cramped. A window in a small room can work wonders, but it needs to be mounted at the right height for comfort and privacy. In this case, an electric or solar powered roof window is ideal, as it can be opened and closed remotely using a wall switch or smartphone.

Make sure the roof windows you choose are resistant to high humidity!

When installing a roof window, remember to choose a solution that is tailored to the requirements of a specific room. Hot baths fill the bathroom with moisture, so a window with a moisture-resistant polyurethane cover is best. The white VELUX polyurethane pivot roof window is distinguished by its modern design, which is easy to wash and dry.

Installing roof windows requires precision and experience. It is worth hiring a professional to ensure the windows are installed correctly and safely. After installation, it is important to regularly check the condition of the seals and window frames to prevent any leaks. Regular cleaning of the glass and frames will keep the windows looking good for longer.

Internal and external blinds  

When it comes to bathroom windows, privacy is a consideration. If you have windows at eye level, choose our moisture-resistant blinds. They are discreet, yet provide privacy in the bathroom. 

VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO – window and climate control

VELUX ACTIVE is our intelligent, automated solution for controlling your indoor climate by operating electrically or solar-powered VELUX roof windows and blinds.

VELUX ACTIVE provides information about the air quality in your home, monitoring temperature, humidity and CO2 levels to ensure regular ventilation.

Author

VELUX Editorial team

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