A bathroom renovation needs to combine design, waterproofing, plumbing, drainage, electrical planning, ventilation, materials and careful execution within a relatively small space.
At Maceta y Cortafrío, we coordinate bathroom renovations across Madrid with a practical approach focused on functionality, durability and a well-organised construction process.
Whether you want to completely transform an outdated bathroom, replace a bathtub with a walk-in shower or improve installations and finishes, the scope should be defined according to the real condition of the property.
Bathroom renovations tailored to your home
Every bathroom presents different priorities. Some projects focus on accessibility and comfort, while others require complete renewal of plumbing, drainage, wall finishes, flooring and sanitary fittings.
Depending on the project, our bathroom renovation work may include:
- Removal of existing sanitary fittings and finishes.
- Demolition and preparation work.
- Plumbing and drainage modifications.
- Electrical preparation and lighting points.
- Waterproofing of relevant wet areas.
- Wall tiling and flooring.
- Plasterboard and ceiling work where required.
- Installation of shower trays or bathing areas.
- Preparation for sanitary fittings and taps.
- Ventilation improvements where appropriate.
- Painting and final finishing.
- Final inspection and snagging.
Planning the layout before choosing finishes
In a bathroom, a few centimetres can make a significant difference to comfort and circulation.
Before selecting tiles, taps or furniture, we recommend reviewing the position of the shower, basin, toilet, door and storage areas.
A well-planned layout can improve movement, make cleaning easier and create a greater sense of space without necessarily increasing the size of the room.
Plumbing and drainage
A bathroom renovation is often the right moment to assess the condition and layout of the existing plumbing system.
Changing the position of a basin, shower, bathtub or toilet may require modifications to water supply and drainage routes.
These decisions should be made before walls and floors are finished, because later modifications can require completed areas to be opened again.
Good coordination between plumbing, masonry, waterproofing and tiling is therefore essential.
Waterproofing and wet areas
Water management is one of the most important technical aspects of a bathroom renovation.
Shower areas and other surfaces exposed to frequent moisture need to be properly prepared before the decorative finishes are installed.
The final tile or stone surface is only one part of the system. What happens underneath the visible finish is equally important for the long-term performance of the bathroom.
Bathtub-to-shower conversions
Replacing a bathtub with a shower is one of the most common bathroom improvements, particularly when clients want easier access, more usable space or a more contemporary layout.
The project may involve more than simply removing the bathtub.
Depending on the existing conditions, it can require drainage adjustments, waterproofing, wall preparation, new tiling and adaptation of taps or shower controls.
We assess the existing bathroom before defining the most appropriate solution.
Walk-in showers and accessible bathrooms
A well-designed shower area can improve comfort and make the bathroom easier to use.
For clients planning for long-term accessibility, the renovation can also be an opportunity to review circulation, entry width, shower access, floor transitions and the position of sanitary fittings.
The objective should be to integrate accessibility into the overall design rather than treating it as an isolated feature.
Bathroom lighting
Bathroom lighting needs to work for different uses throughout the day.
General lighting should provide comfortable visibility, while mirror and basin areas often benefit from more focused illumination.
Electrical elements also need to be planned in relation to the bathroom layout and the presence of water.
For that reason, lighting and electrical requirements should be considered before ceilings, walls and finishes are completed.
Ventilation and moisture control
Bathrooms generate a significant amount of humidity during normal use.
Where ventilation is insufficient, moisture can contribute to condensation, deterioration of finishes and discomfort.
A renovation is an opportunity to review the existing ventilation conditions and determine whether improvements should be incorporated into the project.
Choosing bathroom materials
Bathroom materials should be selected for more than appearance.
Resistance to moisture, ease of maintenance, slip considerations, cleaning requirements and long-term durability all matter.
Typical decisions include:
- Wall tiles and large-format finishes.
- Porcelain or other suitable flooring.
- Shower-area finishes.
- Worktops and basin surfaces.
- Furniture materials.
- Taps and shower fittings.
- Glass screens.
- Paint systems for non-tiled areas.
We recommend balancing visual design with materials that remain practical under everyday use.
Bathroom storage and organisation
Storage is particularly important in smaller bathrooms.
Wall-mounted furniture, recessed storage, mirrored cabinets and correctly planned shelves can increase usable capacity without making the room feel overcrowded.
Storage should be considered during the layout stage so that furniture, plumbing and electrical elements do not conflict with one another.
Bathrooms in Madrid apartments
Many Madrid apartments have bathrooms that were designed around older installations and different standards of comfort.
Common challenges can include limited space, ageing plumbing, poor lighting, insufficient storage or layouts that no longer suit the way the property is used.
In these cases, the renovation should respond to the specific building and existing conditions rather than applying a standard bathroom solution.
Bathrooms in older properties
Renovating a bathroom in an older property can reveal conditions that were not visible before demolition.
Existing pipework, floor levels, wall construction, drainage routes and previous repairs may affect how the renovation should proceed.
For this reason, the final scope of work should be based on an inspection of the property and, where necessary, adjusted if hidden conditions are discovered during the works.
Partial bathroom renovations
Not every bathroom requires complete demolition.
Depending on the condition of the installations and existing finishes, it may be possible to carry out a more targeted intervention.
This could include replacing the bathtub, renewing selected finishes, improving lighting, replacing furniture or upgrading specific plumbing elements.
We assess whether a partial intervention is technically sensible before recommending unnecessary work.
Bathroom renovation as part of a full renovation
When the bathroom forms part of a wider property renovation, coordination becomes even more important.
Electrical systems, plumbing routes, flooring levels, doors, heating and finishes should be planned together with the rest of the home.
If you are considering renovating the entire property, you can also explore our full renovations in Madrid service.
Frequently asked questions about bathroom renovations
Can you renovate only the bathroom?
Yes. A bathroom renovation can be carried out as an independent project, provided its connections with the existing plumbing, electrical system and surrounding finishes are properly considered.
Can you replace a bathtub with a shower?
Yes, subject to the existing drainage, dimensions and construction conditions of the bathroom.
Can the toilet or shower be moved?
Sometimes. Feasibility depends particularly on drainage routes, floor conditions and the proposed layout.
Do I need to replace all the plumbing?
Not necessarily. The condition, age, material and layout of the existing installation should be assessed before deciding which sections need to be renewed.
Can you make a small bathroom feel larger?
Often, improvements to layout, circulation, storage, lighting, sanitary fittings and material selection can significantly improve the perception and usability of a small bathroom.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
The duration depends on the size of the bathroom, the condition of the existing installations, layout changes, material availability and the agreed scope of work.
We establish the programme after reviewing the property and defining the project rather than applying the same timeframe to every bathroom.
Planning a bathroom renovation in Madrid?
If you want to modernise an outdated bathroom, improve accessibility or completely reorganise the space, tell us what you would like to achieve.
We can assess the existing conditions and help define the appropriate scope for your bathroom renovation in Madrid.
