Bathroom Renovation Lesson Queens, NY
During a recent bathroom renovation in Queens, we learned that tile layout planning matters more than tile choice.
The mistake we almost made: starting tile from one wall without checking how cuts would land around the vanity and shower valve. In older Queens apartments, walls and floors are rarely perfectly square — and bad layout can turn expensive tile into a patchwork of thin cuts.
What worked better:
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Dry-laying the first row before committing
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Centering tile on the vanity wall, not the corner
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Adjusting grout lines slightly to avoid slivers
Local sourcing note:
We picked up porcelain tile from Floor & Decor in Long Island City — good selection and consistent sizing, which made layout adjustments easier.
Takeaway:
Spend extra time on layout before setting the first tile. It’s cheaper than redoing a wall.