How to renovate a bedroom

There are many ways to refurbish a bedroom... but you'll find a big difference in terms of complexity between renovating a bedroom in an old house and one in a recent construction. Likewise, when it comes to simply freshening up and a full renovation including modifications, the extent of the work just isn't comparable.

As with any renovation project, you should first of all ask yourself several questions that will influence the choices you make.

1. How is the room laid out? Think about the shape of the room, the size, and what's possible from an architectural point of view.

2. Which decoration style to go for? Get inspired and choose a style.

3. What level of comfort are you aiming for? There's a huge difference between a basic room to sleep in and a master bedroom in terms of day-to-day comfort.

4. What are your needs for today and the future? Visualise and plan for the mid and long-term. If your family will expand, a private bathroom for the parents makes a lot of sense.

5. What's your budget and how much time have you got? Estimate the expenses and duration of the work before beginning your project, and add 10% as a contingency.

In an old house, it's not unusual for rooms to be uneven, with one or more alcoves, a low or sloping ceiling, walls that are not exactly straight and corners that are not right-angles. In this case, you either work with what you've got and minimise the large jobs such as raising the ceiling, leveling the floor, or right-angling all the corners... and you salvage what can be done in each case by reaching a compromise. Or you opt to redo everything and start again from scratch, adhering to new standards.

One choice is not better than another, it all depends on the reasons behind your project, how much time you have, your budget and your requirements. The best thing you can do before beginning any project is to carefully consider the two options, weighing up the pros and cons in the short, mid and long term, then make your decision. But anything is possible, from a minimalist bedroom makeover to creating a stylish master bedroom.

Pre-renovation tips for bedrooms in an old house

Renovating in an old house is more complex and there are often surprises... besides planning for any future changes, you can (almost) always make the most of a layout:

1. A skewed wall can be incorporated into a walk-in wardrobe project or a built-in wardrobe if you prefer. Apart from righting the angle and improving the overall look, you will be optimising the space by creating your own made-to-measure storage space.

2. Thick plasterboard cladding may offer the chance to create storage alcoves. You will have more storage space and save yourself the clutter of wall shelves jutting out.

3. A high ceiling means you can install a mezzanine bed. Yes, they're not exactly suitable for the elderly, but for younger people, this is one way of exploiting all of the available space.

4. Plan for future changes and wall-mounted loads if you are cladding with plasterboard. For example, if you plan to install a radiator, television or bookshelves when partitioning, strengthen the partition wall with a wooden panel. Plasterboard is quick to install and looks great once painted, but it's not particularly sturdy. You can also opt use one or more Fermacell walls. Denser, these can withstand heavier loads and offer the same final result. However, they're a bit more expensive.

5. Make the most of the room by exploiting wasted space. A gap between two walls can be used for shelving, the wasted space below the window can accommodate a radiator, an alcove might be turned into a cupboard...

Compared with renovating a room in an old house, giving a makeover to one in a standard room with flat floors and even walls is a piece of cake, and will prove easier and cheaper to do. In this case, you only have to decide which finishings you want and any modifications you'd like to make such as creating a built-in wardrobe or ensuite bathroom to turn your bedroom into a master fit for a luxury hotel.

Here too, whether a refresh or a renovation with significant modifications, there is no right or wrong solution. It all depends on your aim, your short, mid and long-term projects, your budget, how much time you have, and the level of comfort you want.

A master bedroom is all the rage, understandably so - what could be better as a parent than having a bathroom all of your own? The definition of a master bedroom is a room with an ensuite bathroom and possibly a walk-in wardrobe, and the only conditions for installing one is to have around 3 m² for the bathroom, and 2 m² minimum for the wardrobes. Let's take a look at how the layout breaks down.

Shower and toilet area

More expensive than a traditional bedroom, a master suite can still be affordable if you plan your project carefully and there is a nearby water supply and drainage system. The main expense will undoubtedly be the shower area, however there are budget options available. Likewise for the toilet - manufacturers often market sets of bathroom furniture comprising a vanity unit, wash basin, mirror and storage unit at attractive prices.

Installing a toilet

Not mandatory, but for those who would like to install a toilet in the ensuite, a macerator toilet will dispense with the need to run a 100mm drain pipe connecting to a 40 mm PVC pipe. More specifically, this means less work but more noise in the long-term.

Partitioning of the ensuite bathroom

As with any renovation and when carrying out any project, there is never a single solution or right or wrong choice. You can choose to either close off the ensuite all or in part, separate it with a door or leave the passage way open but fit a curtain... Anything is possible, but if do decide to close off a corner of the room, remember that angled corners give the impression of space by opening the perspective. You could equally make do with a screen, which will be cheaper but provides less privacy and soundproofing. If you're more avant-garde, why not opt for a glass wall for guaranteed style, or make a decorative wooden room divider.

Humidity and the choice of finishes

To remove humidity, it is advisable to install an extractor fan or hook up a MEV system. As for partition walls, if there are any, they will need to be made from a damp-resistant material such as waterproof plasterboard painted with an undercoat then finished with a bathroom paint. If there's no need to partition or even line the walls, you can still paint them with 100% waterproof paint (this type of paint contains high levels of VOCs, therefore ensure you air it for several days to remove bad odours and potentially carcinogenic substances.

Flooring and ceilings will not be spared either so it's best to ensure they are completely compatible with the damp environment of the shower or bathroom.

Electrical safety standards for ensuite bathrooms

When it comes to lighting and electrical appliances, these must comply with the regulations set out in the BS 7671:2008 Requirements for Electrical Installations, section 701. IP20 rated light fittings must not be installed in a bathroom, as it is a wet room.

Renovating an attic bedroom might be more complicated in terms of the layout - it all comes down to its size, lowest head height, and whether part of the roof truss, such as beams or rafters, run through it.

Bedrooms with sloping ceilings: an interior design opportunity

While the layout of a room with sloping ceilings is trickier, for interior design fans it offers a great chance to try out some ideas. Among the must-have additions, installing a roof window is pretty much unavoidable. Fitting out the lower part of the sloping ceiling with under-eaves storage, e.g. a made-to-measure unit, is also a great alternative as it's the best way to make use of a space with no head height. That is unless you prefer to put the bed here, with the headboard against the lowest part of the wall. If one or more parts of the roof truss are visible, why not showcase them? The drawback of having the room criss-crossed in rafters can be transformed into the main highlight, depending on your chosen layout. As for functionality, it is essential to properly insulate otherwise you'll be freezing in winter and boiling in summer!

Although it's difficult to give an estimate, in terms of a budget and without including plumbing and electrics, you're looking at a minimum of £1300 for the basic bathroom fixtures and fittings.

• Shower cabin with fixtures approx. £450

• A vanity unit/inset or countertop basin, mirror and storage unit, approx. £250

• Basin mixer tap, approx. £50

• Macerator toilet, approx. £350

• Extractor fan + conduit, approx. £50

• Shower drain plug and inset/ countertop basin + flexible tap connectors and trap: £70

• Accessories (toilet seat, brush, mat, towel rail, etc), approx. £80

Add to this any partition walls, maybe a sliding door, flooring and wall finishes as well as a few consumables, and you've reached a total minimum bill of £1600 for the ensuite bathroom. As mentioned earlier, remember that this price does not include any plumbing or electrics (allow for a minimum of £700 to connect the water supply/sewage, and electrical work carried out by a professional).

You can certainly do it on a budget, but you'll be sacrificing quality... However, if you can afford it, go ahead and treat yourself! Hydromassage shower cabin, jacuzzi bath, walk-in shower... there's no shortage of great ideas!!

Skirting boards and ceiling cornices

The finishes that can be achieved with skirting boards and cornices should be selected in line with the flooring and wall coverings. If your walls are uneven, and you have installed parquet flooring, it's preferable to install skirting with clips rather than glue. Gluing them on doesn't always give great results, even when you're generous with the glue.

The selection of tools will depend on the scope of the work. If it's just a basic refresh, you will only need the tools to install your chosen flooring and finishings.

If you've decided to go for it and take on a master bedroom project, then obviously the list gets longer and you'll need many more tools.

It all depends on the project, the type of work to be done, the choice of materials, and whether or not you'll be replacing all of the bedroom furniture, from the bedbase to the lights. Between a basic freshening up of the walls and ceiling for £300 and a complete renovation of the whole room, with the addition of a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite, the bills can easily be multiplied by 10.

Renovating a bedroom is not considered a dangerous project. But it all depends on the work you plan to do. If you're fitting flooring, it's helpful to use an electric saw, so wear safety goggles, hearing protection and gloves. If you're applying waterproof paint as part of a master bedroom conversion project, you should protect your airways and wear a mask.

Working safely means above all working in a tidy space, with appropriate clothing, without rushing and free from distractions. Work tends to take longer than initially planned, so take your time, and be careful with tools and stepladders!