Think Like a Designer: 5 Steps to a Well-Planned New Bathroom
Give your bathroom a professional layout that's practical and beautiful with help from interior design specialists
The second hardest workspace within in your home is the bathroom (following the kitchen, of course). A bathroom should be a workstation when preparing for the day and a sanctuary to escape to at the end of a long day. And, like the kitchen, the bathroom needs detailed design consideration and space planning.
Here, we will walk you through the steps/processes our designers take when creating a new bathroom for clients.
Here, we will walk you through the steps/processes our designers take when creating a new bathroom for clients.
STEP 2: Decide on function then style
The functionality of a bathroom is your first priority. You have to be aware of how much space you have to play with and select fittings that work within the limitations of the space. There are standard set-outs that need to be followed when laying out your floor plan, toilets have to be set out a certain distance from a wall, vanity basins and showerheads need to be at a comfortable height, towel rails need to be easily accessible. Write a list of all the fittings you will be installing, choose wisely and research what their ideal positions should be.
Once you have the functionality right in your layout style, consideration will give a bathroom its sanctuary title. Make the space relaxing and inviting … a niche in a wall for a candle, a built-in seat in the shower, a stool beside the bath for your towel or book.
The functionality of a bathroom is your first priority. You have to be aware of how much space you have to play with and select fittings that work within the limitations of the space. There are standard set-outs that need to be followed when laying out your floor plan, toilets have to be set out a certain distance from a wall, vanity basins and showerheads need to be at a comfortable height, towel rails need to be easily accessible. Write a list of all the fittings you will be installing, choose wisely and research what their ideal positions should be.
Once you have the functionality right in your layout style, consideration will give a bathroom its sanctuary title. Make the space relaxing and inviting … a niche in a wall for a candle, a built-in seat in the shower, a stool beside the bath for your towel or book.
STEP 3: Choose the right finishes
You need to do your research when selecting finishes, so investigate the properties of what you plan on putting on the floors and walls.
You may wish to put a natural stone on the floor or timber panelling on the walls, therefore you need to be aware of their properties and how they are going to stand up to water, steam, heat and harsh cleaning products.
You need to do your research when selecting finishes, so investigate the properties of what you plan on putting on the floors and walls.
You may wish to put a natural stone on the floor or timber panelling on the walls, therefore you need to be aware of their properties and how they are going to stand up to water, steam, heat and harsh cleaning products.
STEP 4: Assess your storage needs
Consider custom-made joinery in your bathroom for your storage needs. It is often not as expensive as you think and it will make the most of the space.
Be clever when designing your storage. Add an overhead mirrored shaving cabinet as opposed to just a mirror (it will house all your bathroom items). If you add LED lighting to the underside of the cabinet, it will also become a bathroom feature.
If you are tight on floor space, design a cabinet that is off the floor – it will still provide you with your storage needs but will also make the bathroom appear larger.
Discover how to organise your bathroom storage so you can relax
Consider custom-made joinery in your bathroom for your storage needs. It is often not as expensive as you think and it will make the most of the space.
Be clever when designing your storage. Add an overhead mirrored shaving cabinet as opposed to just a mirror (it will house all your bathroom items). If you add LED lighting to the underside of the cabinet, it will also become a bathroom feature.
If you are tight on floor space, design a cabinet that is off the floor – it will still provide you with your storage needs but will also make the bathroom appear larger.
Discover how to organise your bathroom storage so you can relax
STEP 5: Finally, it’s all in the details…
You can add drama in the details of a bathroom – think statement tap, dramatic feature tiles … and don’t forget the lighting. There is the practical lighting that is required for shaving and applying make-up, but there is also feature lighting you can incorporate. Add a pendant light in keeping with your style or LED strip lighting to cabinetry.
Browse more inspiring bathroom lighting
You can add drama in the details of a bathroom – think statement tap, dramatic feature tiles … and don’t forget the lighting. There is the practical lighting that is required for shaving and applying make-up, but there is also feature lighting you can incorporate. Add a pendant light in keeping with your style or LED strip lighting to cabinetry.
Browse more inspiring bathroom lighting
And just like a kitchen, you will need plans and elevations drawn up of the new bathroom. The plans will show the plumbing set-out and the position of the fittings. The drawings should also show the set-out of the selected wall and floor finishes and any design features you have added.
You’ll find that if you’ve planned well, considered all the options and implemented your must-haves and at least a few wants, your bathroom will be a joy to be in for years to come.
TELL US
What is the one design feature you have, or would love to have in your bathroom, that you don’t think you could live without? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
10 Tips to Save Your Sanity in the Bathroom
15 Show-Stopping Bathroom Lighting Ideas
20 Fabulous Family Bathrooms the Whole Brood Will Love
You’ll find that if you’ve planned well, considered all the options and implemented your must-haves and at least a few wants, your bathroom will be a joy to be in for years to come.
TELL US
What is the one design feature you have, or would love to have in your bathroom, that you don’t think you could live without? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
10 Tips to Save Your Sanity in the Bathroom
15 Show-Stopping Bathroom Lighting Ideas
20 Fabulous Family Bathrooms the Whole Brood Will Love
The first thing we look at in a bathroom layout are ‘openings’, such as window and door positions, as well as existing plumbing positions. And if the floor plan layout can be improved by moving a door, a window or plumbing, we suggest relocating them. These changes may add to your budget but it will be worth the expense to achieve the optimal design.