As a homeowner, designing your bathroom’s layout is one of those key decisions that can completely change your living experience. Designing a bathroom suite from scratch is very different from renovating one because it allows you to maximize your available space and add essential features that you prefer. It is your Pinterest board come to life, while sticking to a budget. Whether you are interested in creating a designer bathroom suite or a low-cost bathroom suite, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you design the bathroom of your dreams.
Understanding Bathroom Layout
A bathroom layout takes into consideration several elements such as fixtures, fittings, and depending on the amount of space you have, the kind of storage solutions you can incorporate. In order to create a bathroom layout, you need to first determine what your specific needs are. Then, you can use the different design elements to enhance your overall experience.
An optimal bathroom design can be described as a relaxing space that is also cohesive in terms of design, and can be used day to day.
How Do You Arrange a Bathroom?
Here are some ways to arrange a bathroom effectively by taking into account functionality and style:
Traffic Flow
Your bathroom is one of the most used spaces in your home. Designing your bathroom’s layout will require that you have a plan for energy and exit. This can be achieved by designing doors with the least amount of obstruction. Another great way to make your bathroom more suited to traffic is by adding space around fixtures so that the place feels less cramped and you can move around freely.
Accessibility
Now that you have taken traffic into account, the next consideration would be the accessibility of the bathroom space. This is especially important if you are designing a bathroom for a family. You want the space to have non-slip surfaces and multiple safety features like grab bars. This will make your bathroom space accessible and safe for all ages.
Zoning
Zoning can help you create an area that is separated to serve a purpose more efficiently. When it comes to designing a bathroom, adding a private area for a toilet or a vanity space along side will make your space more efficient. You can also add different types of lighting to create a divide more efficiently.
Planning Your Bathroom Layout
If you want your bathroom to be functional and aesthetically pleasing, you need to carefully plan the different aspects of your bathroom. Keep in mind that your bathroom is an important part of your home and the overall design of the space.
Assessing Your Space and Needs
We recommend starting out by assessing your space. Are you working with high walls or large windows? What kind of plumbing are you working with? These details will help you make informed decisions about your bathroom’s design.
We recommend creating a plan for how much storage you need and whether or not you will be installing features such as a tub or a wet room. Sometimes it makes sense to add multiple sinks if more than one person will be using the bathroom.
Remember, when you are designing the bathroom space, it is all about you and your specific needs.
Choose Your Fixtures
The next step would be to pick the right fixtures for your space. Fixtures such as sinks, toilets, and shower tubs are essential for a full-featured bathroom. You also want to pick options that are better suited to the space you are working with. Whether it is a double vanity or a round bowl toilet, you need to keep in mind that these fixtures will affect the overall style and also need to be durable for long-term use and maintenance.
Sketching Your Design
Now that you have an idea of your space and a wishlist of fixtures that can work for you, we recommend sketching a mockup of your bathroom. Whether it is a Pinterest board or a 2D or 3D model, you can create a bathroom layout that will help you visualize the fixtures more accurately.
If you are working with a small space, you might want to start with the larger fixtures and then move on to the smaller fixtures until you have a comfortable and accessible layout.
Another important factor to consider is the accessibility of different areas. Do you find the layout congested or restricted? You can review and revise this layout until you have the ideal arrangement.
Special Considerations for Small Bathroom Designs
We get it! Sometimes you need more space to achieve the Pinterest bathroom. But what if we told you that a small bathroom can be just as stylish and functional? Here are some of our space-saving tips that can help you bring your dream bathroom design to life.
Prioritize Your Needs
The perfect bathroom design is the one that takes all your needs into consideration. Whether it is a shower or a sink design, there are some elements that you probably need more than others. A rule of thumb is to prioritize your efficiency over aesthetics. This will help you focus on what really matters.
Choose Space-Saving Fixtures
We all love wall-mounted sinks, but did you know that they are one of the most comfortable and accessible bathroom design features? That’s right! You can elevate your bathroom’s design by using built-in storage and compact fixtures. You can also use glass in your bathroom to create the illusion of more space and allow the space to be as illuminated as possible.
Another great tip is to make use of vertical space. You can always invest in a towel rack or a wall hook for your robes. There is something about using fixtures that don’t take up floor space, which makes them ideal for smaller bathrooms.
Final Inspection
Once you have the fixtures installed, we recommend conducting a final inspection. This is the most important step because it helps you check the plumbing and electrical systems to ensure that everything works.
Final inspections are also a great way to ensure that you are following any guidelines laid down by local authorities for building codes. This is a technical aspect for the most part, but from a design perspective, it also helps to know your execution is not only cohesive but also safe.
We recommend hiring a professional to take over this part as they can better guide you on the planning and execution of design and remodels.