Who this guide is for
- Anyone coordinating a dressing room renovation
- Homeowners managing trades across several stages
- People converting a room who want to avoid rework
- Owners preparing a realistic running order before starting
Settle layout and services first
Before anything is fixed, the layout and any service runs must be agreed. Knowing where lighting, switches, and ventilation go shapes everything that follows, so this thinking comes before any trade arrives.
- Confirm the storage and lighting layout
- Mark positions for switches and any ventilation
- Resolve decisions that affect wiring routes
First-fix and rough-in
With the layout set, the hidden work happens: electrical first-fix for lighting and outlets, and any ventilation provision, all done before walls are closed and finished.
- Electrical first-fix by a licensed electrician
- Ventilation provision routed before lining
- Any wall reinforcement for heavy joinery
Surfaces before joinery
Walls, ceiling, and flooring are taken to a finished or near-finished state before fitted storage goes in, so there are no awkward gaps or unpainted strips behind cabinets.
- Plaster and paint walls and ceiling
- Lay or prepare the floor finish
- Decorate before fitted joinery is installed
Joinery and lighting fit-off
Now the rails, drawers, and island are installed, and lighting is fitted off onto the prepared first-fix. The room takes its functional shape at this stage.
- Install rails, drawers, shelving, and any island
- Light fittings connected by a licensed electrician
- Check clearances as joinery goes in
Mirrors, finishing, and styling
Mirrors, handles, and the final styling come last, once everything behind them is set. Leaving these to the end protects them from damage and lets you place them against the finished room.
- Hang mirrors against finished walls
- Fit handles and final hardware
- Style shelves and load the room in last
Sequencing checklist
- 1Confirm layout, lighting, and ventilation positions first
- 2Book electrical first-fix before walls are closed
- 3Route any ventilation provision before lining
- 4Finish walls, ceiling, and floor before joinery
- 5Install rails, drawers, and island onto finished surfaces
- 6Have lighting fitted off by a licensed electrician
- 7Hang mirrors and fit handles near the end
- 8Style and load the room as the final step
Common mistakes to avoid
- Fitting joinery before lighting is wired, forcing rework
- Installing mirrors before walls are finished
- Decorating after fitted storage, leaving unpainted gaps
- Booking trades out of order so stages clash
- Loading the room before finishing work is complete
When to involve a professional
- Have all electrical first-fix and fit-off carried out by a licensed electrician, since requirements vary by location and project
- Ask a qualified professional to confirm ventilation provision before walls close
- Coordinate trade order with a contractor or project manager if multiple trades overlap
- Confirm fixings for heavy wall-hung joinery with a competent trade
Frequently asked questions
Questions readers ask about this topic
What comes first in a dressing room renovation?
Settle the layout and service positions, then carry out electrical first-fix and any ventilation provision before walls are closed. Hidden work always precedes finishes and joinery.
Should I decorate before or after fitting joinery?
Decorate first. Painting walls and ceiling before fitted storage goes in avoids awkward unpainted strips and gaps behind cabinets.
When should mirrors be installed?
Near the end, once walls are finished. Mirrors hung against fresh, finished surfaces sit cleanly and avoid damage during earlier messy stages.
Why does sequence matter so much here?
Out-of-order work forces rework, such as unpicking rails to chase cables. Working from hidden and structural outwards to decorative and final keeps the project moving without doubling back.
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