How to Design a Bathroom for Your Next Remodel
Curious about how to design your bathroom for the next renovation?
Undoubtedly, more thought will go into bathroom design than any other area in your home.
The kitchen may be the exception, but even in this case, it's recommended to have a kitchen designer present to reassure you and make the process go smoother.
It can be a little overwhelming managing the plasterer, the flooring installer, and the plumber all on your own when it comes to the bathroom.
A conventional bathroom is small, necessitating creative use of space to fit in all the essential features and make it both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.
More notably, installation, which requires technical know-how, plumbing, and complex spatial design, can be surprisingly difficult.
With so many creative bathroom ideas available, it makes sense to use some type of design advice, whether it's from a bathroom design expert, an interior designer, or at the very least, an experienced builder or plumber with an eye for aesthetics.
Let the design pros of JarvisInteriors help you plan and design your dream bathroom.
Read related: 17 Tips for Designing the Bathroom of Your Dreams
How to get started?
1. Find Inspiration
"You can't skip this step," Iwona Petrov, principal of yZiGN, Interiors points out. For you to begin identifying a pattern between the things you like and those that do not appeal to you, you need to look through a sufficient number of images. By doing so, you're more confident about what you want when the time comes to meet with a professional. According to Petrov, you don't want to be unprepared and be persuaded into the design by a salesperson or your contractor based on what everybody else is doing.
Senior associate at GTM Architects, Luke Olson, has the same recommendation. He advises compiling pictures of bathrooms online and in design magazines that you like, then comparing them to see if they share any common design features that you can use to develop your own style. Once you have a general idea of what you like, you may either contact a design expert to help you with the overall design, finish selections and material, or you can visit bath, kitchen and tile showrooms yourself and meet with their in-house designers and weigh your options.
2. Prioritize Function
Lauren Sullivan of Well x Design explains that priority should be given to layout and functionality when designing a bathroom. Style should also be considered at the outset because both trendy and more traditional fixtures can require different amounts of space. Think specifically about the storage needed in your bathroom when thinking about function. Do you need a closet, built-in, or linen cabinet, or will a vanity hold enough items already? Vanities with drawers –instead of doors– often maximize available space and offer extra storage alternatives.
Nowadays, medicine cabinets serve more than just one purpose. Miriam Silver Verga of Mimi & Hill advises homeowners not to be reluctant to use the numerous stylish medicine cabinets that are available everywhere. The storage fixture determines how lovely the bathroom looks overall.
Consider whether you're interested in mixing metal finishes in terms of style. According to Sullivan, this will result in a more classic design that probably won't go out of style so quickly.
So, what style do you prefer for your cabinets? Sullivan generally advises altering the scale of the tile in your bathroom space to generate additional dimension and visual interest. The cabinetry finish is crucial since it determines the selection of tiles and stones.
3. Consider the Type of Lighting
You'll be getting ready for the day in your bathroom, possibly very early in the morning before the sun rises, so you'd want to make sure that there is enough lighting in the room. Sullivan always recommends using lighting from many sources, such as recessed lighting, wall sconces, natural light, etc. Even after you've decided the fixtures you want to use, you still need to think about where they'll go in the bathroom.
Do you prefer wall sconces above or alongside your mirrors if there is room for them? It is crucial to take into account factors like this one when making plans.
For more bathroom inspirations, check out: 47 Bathroom Remodel Ideas to Inspire Your Next Renovation and 30 Bathroom Remodel Ideas to Give Your Space a Whole New Look.
4. Consider Key Shower Features
Showers are more complicated than you might imagine. These days, there are numerous special features available; you should think about which type best fits your needs. Sullivan notes whether you need a shaving ledge or shower niche? Do you want a steam shower? Will the shower be zero entry or curbless? It can be expensive to switch to a zero-entry shower, especially if you're remodeling and not building a new one.
You might be able to forgo a tub if your bathroom is only used by the adults in your home. According to Tanya Smith-Shiflett of Unique Kitchens & Baths, many people don't use huge soaking tubs frequently, and so as long as there is another tub in the house for kids, there is no need for a tub in the primary bathroom. "A larger shower is much more practical (and luxurious)!"
Leslie Murphy, co-founder and creative director of Murphy Maude Interiors, advises placing a bathtub under windows if you do intend to install one. In addition to creating a calming spa-like feel in the space. It also makes the most sense from a logistical perspective in terms of where you’ll ultimately place cabinetry.
5. Decide if You Want a Toilet Room
Verga of Mimi & Hill observes that we often must choose between a private toilet room, a sit-down vanity, and a bathtub. Verga and her team seek to designate a distinct toilet area with a closed door while creating communal primary bathrooms. It makes it simpler and easier to share the bathroom. For standard allowances, consult your local codes.
6. Aim for Beautiful Bathroom Flooring
If you're seeking bathroom flooring ideas, porcelain, natural stone, terracotta, and encaustic bathroom tiles are all lovely.
Colin Roby-Welford of Fired Earth advises considering the look you want to achieve, and the practical considerations involved. Certain materials, such as wood floors, which may warp and stain, are unsuitable for use when exposed to water regularly.
7. Pick the Best Brassware
One of the most vital components of any bathroom is brassware. According to Yousef Mansuri, Head of Design at C.P. Hart, with water continuously flowing through these working parts, they must be durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of regular use.
Of all the parts that go into a bathroom, he recommends investing in high-quality brassware to ensure longer use. Most brassware is wall-mounted, making repairs much more difficult. Therefore, investing extra money in brassware up front will pay off in the long run.
So, how to know what a good bathroom is?
The secret to a good bathroom is that it fully depends on the needs of every individual using it. Priorities vary from one to person, therefore these should be considered.
A family bathroom, for instance, would require both a bath and a shower with plenty of storage, while an en suite might only require a tiny shower and a toilet.
Another important factor is how the layout fits within the space that's available.
How to Plan a Bathroom Layout?
While there are a hundred and more bathroom layout ideas to choose from, how you plan yours depends on several factors, such as size, function, who is using, and how often.
Let's start with the visual impact that a well-planned bathroom can produce:
- The view upon entrance
- Select one key (statement) piece
- Symmetrical layouts
- Allow for comfortable, functional space
- Ask experts' help to see beyond the existing layout
- Add drama to larger bathrooms by playing with different angles and avoid all fixtures clinging to the walls.
For more details about these tips, read: How to Design a Bathroom – Expert Bathroom Planning and Layout Advice.
Thankfully, there is a bath for every need, style, and budget. Start thinking about your own and talk to the experts from JarvisInteriors.
For creative ideas on turning your home into an inviting refuge to come home to, read this article from JarvisInteriors: How to Turn Your Backyard into an Outdoor Sanctuary.
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