Tips for Designing a Bathroom That Works For You

Planning your bathroom can be daunting if you don’t know where to start or what to consider. Bathrooms are an important room in the home and it’s important to get the design and functionality right for you. If you’re looking to renovate or upgrade your bathroom, here are some helpful tips for designing a bathroom that works for you.

DESIGNING A BATHROOM

We use our bathrooms in many different ways. Your bathroom might have to function as a busy family bathroom where you wash, bath the kids (and maybe the dog!). It could be a relaxing space just for you where you can take a hot bath at the end of a long day.

The first step in designing a bathroom is to work out what you need the space to do for you and what function it needs to fulfill. Then you can start to identify what you need to put in that space.

Will you need a bath or a shower, for example? Will you need lots of storage space for bathroom toiletries or more?

Thinking how you use the space will help you choose the furniture and fittings more easily and ultimately save you money, time and energy in making all these important decisions.

After all, replacing your bathroom isn’t something that you do very often. So, you need to be happy with your design and know that it will still work for you as the years go by.

TIPS FOR DESIGNING A BATHROOM

Here are some helpful tips for designing a bathroom…

1. Assess your needs

Think about how you use your bathroom now and what it needs to do for you.

Do you need a family-style bathroom with a bath for the kids or does your household prefer showers?

Do you have a range of bathroom toiletries, extra towels and a stock of toilet rolls and other items? If so, do you need plenty of storage space for these or will they be stored elsewhere?

Bear in mind that adequate storage means you can put things away and keep the surfaces clear. A clutter-free bathroom is easier to clean and makes the room look tidier and bigger.

Think about what mirrors, shaver points and bathroom lighting you might also need.

2. Layout

If you’re happy with the existing layout and it works for you, then you might not need to change it. However, sometimes you might be able to create some extra space by making small layout adjustments. These will depend on the position of windows, pipework etc.

3. Get inspiration

Choosing a new bathroom can be easy or complicated but much of this is dependent on how decisive you are and whether you already have an idea of what you’d like.

Getting inspiration from magazines, the internet and even your family and friends’ bathrooms can really help you choose what you like (and equally important) what you don’t!

Do you like contemporary or traditional? What about colours? You’re going to be choosing not only sanitary ware such as baths, showers, basins, toilets but also mirrors, cabinets, taps, flooring, tiles and/or wall panels.

There’s so much choice out there and it can be confusing knowing what to choose!

4. Consider storage

Think about what storage you’ll need in your bathroom. Small spaces like bathrooms always look better when the surfaces are as clear as possible and it’s easy to crowd a small space.

There are so many storage options available nowadays, from mirrors with cabinets and shelves behind to vanity units providing under-basin storage. There are many different styles available too including high gloss or wood effect, contemporary, classic or traditional so you’ll be sure to find something that you suits your needs but also your choice of finish and style too.

Giving some thought to what you need to store will help you when it comes to deciding what sort of cabinetry or furniture you need.

5. Lighting and electrics

Lighting is an important consideration in your bathroom. Bathrooms can be small spaces, often with small windows so natural light can be compromised.

Do you need full lighting to be able to see what you’re doing, like applying make-up, for example? What about if you need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night? Do you really want full glaring light waking up the rest of the house? Consider whether you could have different levels of lighting that could cater for all your needs.

There are many different lighting options to suit all your needs and, of course, that meet all necessary safety requirements and bathroom lighting regulations. You’ll also need to think about whether you need shaver sockets and other electrics.

6. Floors and walls

Floors and walls tend to be the places where we can add colour, texture and personality to our bathrooms.

Think about what sort of style and design you’re going for. Do you like strong colours, neutrals, a particular theme or colour scheme?

Deciding on these can be helpful before you start to look for floor and walls tiles and/or panels because there’s a lot of choice out there! Do you want a feature wall, mosaic strips or just painted walls?

Small bathrooms tend to look bigger with less pattern and detail, but the final look is up to you!

7. Budget

It may be helpful for you if you have a budget in mind. It’s easy to get carried away so if your budget is limited, it’s helpful to get an idea of costs right from the outset.