HGTV’s Scott McGillivray Shares His Top Tips to Keep Bathroom Renovations Stress-Free

Ah, the bathroom. This lowly, often overlooked spot in our homes is actually one of the hardest working rooms. If your bathroom has seen better days—we’re talking chipping tiles, constantly-running toilets, vanities with loose, grimy knobs—then we see a bathroom renovation in your future. 

You’re in the right place if your bathroom deserves a revamp and you’d like to stay on a comfortable budget. 

We had the privilege of hearing the best tips to keep a bathroom renovation low-cost and stress-free straight from an expert, HGTV star Scott McGillivray, who is partnering with Bath Fitter to help stuck clients take back their bathrooms. 

Ahead, heed advice from a true bathroom-fixing expert, who said he’s tackled the task on and off camera “thousands of times.”

First Things First: Admit That Your Bathroom Is Terrible

We mean this in the nicest way possible! But, McGillivray made a great point when he told us that acceptance is the first step in making your dream bathroom happen.

“Step one is to admit that your bathroom is terrible—and that’s a tough one I know, but stop suffering,” he shares with The Spruce. “Your bathroom should make you feel calm and relaxed. I find that the bathroom is always a bit of an escape for people.”

Along with acceptance, aligning yourself with the right experts is also top of mind. McGillivray shared that he’s received tons of feedback throughout the years from millions of viewers, and kitchens and bathrooms are always “top of the pile” in terms of renovation priority. But, many don’t know what to do or who to reach out to in this situation. 

Accepting that you have a less-than-ideal bathroom is step one, but figuring out what to do about said bathroom is another problem.

Though the space is small, it can be tough to figure out exactly where to start—should you just rip out the toilet? (The answer is no, especially if you didn’t shut off the water).

Find the right local experts for you—and of course, McGillivray suggests considering Bath Fitter. He’s worked with them for over 20 years, and he notes that he taps them even more not on his HGTV shows for tackling everyday renovations.

Next: Decide on the Layout

According to McGillivray, the layout is the first thing you need to decide on: will you work with the existing layout of your fixtures (shower, toilet, and vanity) or are you looking to switch things up?

Before you decide, let his expertise guide you: he notes that preserving the existing bathroom layout will literally cut your renovation costs in half.

“That is probably the number one thing to consider when starting a bathroom renovation—you don’t want to start with an inspiration board, start with what you have,” McGillivray says. “Then, look at design options and build out your dream board based on your layout.”

Preserving the existing layout equals major savings on plumbing, structural work, electrical changes, and demolition. 

McGillivray notes that another simple, effective upgrade for a shower is a tub-over-tub solution, which is what Bath Fitter is known for. This solution definitely helps take back your bathroom and lets you pop a new tub and shower surround right over your existing one. 

After: Choose Theming That Fits Your Style

After deciding on the layout comes the fun part: discussing design tastes. McGillivray says now is the time to talk taste: do we want something contemporary? Something spa-like and luxe, or something refreshing, Scandinavian, and minimalist? 

“You want your vanity, bath surround, and even your walls or paintings and fixtures to work harmoniously,” he explains. 

A low-cost project that McGillivray thinks makes a big impact is wall finishes. He notes that most people start by thinking about floors, but bathroom walls are an equally great opportunity to add punches of fun and personality. 

“The wall finishes make a huge difference, whether you add shiplap, paint, or even add wallpaper,” he says. “Wall finishes can be an easy, DIY project, which is great.”

Finally: Focus on Finishes

Now comes the fun part: deciding on the finishes. McGillivray notes that new countertops, faucets, and vanity hardware can make a really big difference. And if you can preserve a previous vanity and simply refresh it, that’s a way to save on cost, too.

Renovating (the Right Way) Adds Value to Your Home

A great consideration (and motivation) for getting that renovation started is, of course, the return on investment. If done right, this project will add value, according to McGillivray.

But, he notes that more importantly, fixing up your bathroom gives you a “return on lifestyle.”

“A lot of people don’t talk about this, but consider the return on lifestyle,” he says. “I’ve seen some people literally go from a single small vanity to a double vanity sink, and it changes their life—we now have two sinks, and everybody can stop fighting.”

McGillivray, in his experience being involved in over a thousand bathroom renovations, noted that the biggest mistake people make is beginning demolition without having a plan. 

“It’s pretty scary when you start yanking things out of a bathroom—you’re going to have electrical, insulation, structures, plumbing,” he notes. “People don’t realize that there’s usually a specific reason why a shower and a toilet are where they are.”

To avoid getting stuck in a sticky situation, think through the plan for the space and consult a professional before you start demolition—and if you also were convinced that renovation was as easy as 1,2,3 because of HGTV, McGillivray apologizes. 

“You definitely don’t see everything on television—as a parting note, you can’t actually renovate a bathroom in seven minutes,” he says.