What you really need to know about designing your bathroom

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When it comes to designing your dream bathroom, there are a lot of things to consider like shower doors, floor space, bathroom layout, wall tiles, bathroom lighting, and many more. There are also a lot of guidelines, rules, and principles to take into account. If you’re a first-time interior designer or just someone who isn’t too familiar with home design as an art form, you may find all of these things intimidating. Think about how the space will be used, what the primary focus needs to be, and if there’s anything that needs special attention. Good bathroom planning should always put function first but also be aesthetically pleasing at the same time. The following tips can help you get started on designing your bathroom in an efficient and cost-effective way!

Define Your Space and Purpose

Before jumping into anything else, you should take the time to define the space and its purpose. The first thing to consider is where the bathroom is in relation to the rest of the building. For example, is the bathroom located near a bedroom, kitchen, or living room? This can have an impact on the design choices you make. Once you know where the bathroom is located, you can think about how much natural light it receives. This will have a significant bearing on both aesthetics and function in the space. Another thing to consider is the size of the space relative to the people who will be using it. A small bathroom can be challenging compared to a large bathroom to design because there are fewer options for placing different elements and limitations in choosing the preferred products like a big-sized bathroom floor tiles. That being said, there are a lot more limitations for larger bathrooms. The other point is to know who is going to use the bathroom is it a family bathroom that anybody uses, a guest bathroom, or just your personal bathroom. Make sure you consider all of these things when defining the space and its purpose.

Do Your Research

Once you have a good idea of what your bathroom needs and where it needs to go within the building, it’s time to research. You need to look at a wide variety of bathroom style and concepts. Find images that you like and that you feel could be applied to your bathroom. You can get inspired by going online to websites like Pinterest or Houzz. You can also flip through decor magazines, or even open up an interior design app on your smartphone. As you’re looking through all these images, pay close attention to what works and what doesn’t. Be sure to take notes as you’re going through this process so you can refer back to them when it’s time to start designing.

Know Your Materials

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to know what materials you’re working with. This includes the materials that are already in the bathroom, such as the floor tiles and the tub if you intend to replace them. It also includes the amount of natural light that enters the space and the size of the space itself. All of these things will play a role in the design process and are important to know before you even start thinking about what your bathroom will look like. Knowing these things will help you narrow down your design choices. If you’re working with a smaller space, you may want to consider utilizing a wall-mount sink or a corner sink to make the space feel less cramped. If you’re working with a larger space, you may be able to use a freestanding sink to increase storage and make the space feel less cramped.

Plan Before You Start Designing

As you’re going through your research, take the time to outline a general plan for your bathroom design. If it is an existing bathroom it can be easy to get the plans and measurements. Otherwise, if it is a new bathroom then you must make sure to have an accurate measurement. In the case of a new bathroom, you must decide on the location of the key areas before construction. For example, think to consider if you want a shower area. If yes consider if you want it to be a shower room? will it be a walk in shower, or perhaps an enclosed shower also think about where to place the towel rails for comfort when leaving the shower? Think about which features you want to prioritize and which features you want to downplay.  Other examples, if you have a large window in a bathroom, you may want to consider framing it in some way to minimize the amount of light coming in. Or if you have a smaller bathroom, you may want to consider adding mirrors in the room to make the space feel larger. 

Make Smart Decisions During the Design Process

- When working with a contractor or designer, don’t be afraid to express your opinion or ask questions. Remember that you’re paying for this service, so you’re entitled to have a say in the design process. - Always look at the materials you’re going to be using. You don’t want to accidentally pick materials that will look dated in a couple of years. - Whenever possible, try to repurpose or redesign old fixtures or furniture to use in the bathroom. This is not only cost-effective, but it also allows you to give the bathroom a more personalized feel. - Whenever you work with a contractor or designer, be sure to communicate your vision. If you have any blueprints or designs, be sure to share them with them to avoid any miscommunications or errors. In addition, I highly recommend researching the works of interior designers. This was one of the ways it helps to be a bathroom designer. Looked at as many bathroom design ideas as there are, and I can tell you there are no limits. Look at the small details for example how they match the tiled floor (or ceramic tiles) with the vanity unit, and what type of bathroom fittings is used on a freestanding bath. Also when you design a bathroom you must imagine every detail in your head. Do you see a modern bathroom with a free standing bath with a shower head that produces rainfall shower? Or a classic bathroom with a whirlpool tub and a heated towel rail? Imagine it as detailed as possible. It will give you an image to follow.

Summing up

Designing your bathroom can be both challenging and fun, but it’s a project that definitely requires careful consideration. Be sure to know your space, know your materials, and plan before you start designing. Once you have this information, you can make smart decisions about your design and create a bathroom that you’ll be proud of for years to come