I spent $36,000 renovating my bathroom. It’s gorgeous, but there are 5 mistakes I wish I’d avoided.

• I planned ahead and consulted with experts but still made mistakes while renovating my bathroom.
• My floor looks dirty quickly because the grout is too light and I chose the wrong vanity lightning.
• The shower niches look nice but don’t drain properly because they’re not angled.

As a writer with kids, I’d long ago abandoned the dream of a bathroom remodel. Instead, I’d learned to live with perpetually loose floor tiles and a tub that was as shallow as it was short.

Then, one day, the shower wall caved in, exposing a gaping hole of black mold. Outwardly, I cursed our bad fortune. Inwardly, I threw back my head and silently screamed, “We’re renovating!”

With the help of a small inheritance, we transformed our tiny, dilapidated bathroom into a clean and airy space that sparks joy whenever I use it.

The renovation required a full gut down to the studs. We moved the door, opened the ceiling, and splurged on a double vanity and high-end fixtures.

I made good calls and a few bad ones and probably spent 50,000 Canadian dollars (about $36,000) total.

Although I consulted with a designer and sought help from my design-savvy sister, there are a few things I’d definitely do differently next time.