Tips For Designing Your Bathroom
Remodelling a bathroom or designing one from scratch can be a daunting exercise. There are so many styles, tiles, sanitaryware and finishes to choose from, it’s no wonder it can get overwhelming. However, following some of these basic principles can ease your stress levels and lead you to that serene oasis that you’re dreaming of.
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1. Assess your bathroom requirements.
Firstly, you need to figure out who will be using the bathroom. Is it an ensuite that you and your partner use, or is it a family bathroom that requires lots of storage and a bath for the kids? One of the reasons that you are upgrading your bathroom might be that your current one doesn’t tick all the boxes in terms of functionality, so now is your chance to make that list of ‘must haves’. One of those questions should be, “ do I need a bath”? For many years, it was seen as an essential, but do you ever use it? You also need to think about what your requirements might be in years to come and plan for those.
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2. Measure the space.
On average, bathrooms are one of the smallest rooms in the house, so there is no point in planning for a his and hers vanity unit if you don’t have the space. Take your measurements of the room so you know how much space you have to play with. Take into account any door openings, window openings, or walls that could be removed.
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3. Research your style.
Instagram, Pinterest and interior magazines can provide so much inspiration when trying to nail down the style to go for. You should also take a trip to bathroom showrooms. There is nothing like seeing model bathrooms in person to help you make that shortlist. The main styles are contemporary, period or traditional and in general, you should stay true to the style of the rest of your home to ensure the bathroom doesn’t look out of place.
Image Credit: Dan Smedley
4. Choose your layout.
Start working on the layout that makes the most sense for your bathroom needs. If you can, make sure that the toilet isn’t the first thing that is seen on entering the room. Your focal point should be your bath or vanity. Measure out how much space each element will need and ensure you have left plenty room between each one to freely move around. If the existing layout of your sanitaryware works that’s great - it will work out cheaper than having to move pipework.
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5. Factor in storage.
Storage is essential in any bathroom. Toothpaste and a razor left lying on the sink do not look good. Make sure you incorporate enough storage to hold all of your bathroom and beauty essentials. There are so many practical but beautiful vanity units available these days that can create perfect storage solutions. Think about whether you want storage behind your mirror also. I advise all clients to create a niche shelf in their shower if they can to hold shampoos, shower gels etc, rather than having them lying around the shower tray or having to install an unslightly wire holder.
Image Credit: Paula McCarthy Interiors
6. Lighting and ventilation are key.
Good lighting is essential in a bathroom. Many new renovations install LED lights in the ceiling which can last for years. It’s good practice to include different levels of light such as mirror lights or strip lights under your vanity unit. Low level strip lights in particular can be perfect for mood lighting, or to create soft lighting if you or a family member needs to use the bathroom during the night. Ventilation is also a very important consideration. Even if you have a window in your bathroom, you should also include a good quality extractor fan to help prevent damp issues down the line.
Image Credit: Jean-Philippe Delberghe
7. Confirm your budget.
Before you confirm anything, make sure you have a maximum budget in mind to spend on your bathroom renovation. It’s good practice to create a budget and allocate an amount to each element so you know where you stand at all times. Depending on your project, you might need to allocate budget to a new water pump for example, or install a water softener to help prevent limescale build up. A reputable plumber or builder will be able to steer you in the right direction in terms of what you may need to include. If budget is tight, take the time to shop around, including second hand sites if required such as Adverts.ie or DoneDeal.ie. It will be worth it in the end.
Image Credit: Paula McCarthy Interiors
8. Choose your colour scheme and finishes.
If the budget allows, installing a floor to ceiling tiled look can create the most impact. If you want to incorporate colour, consider including it in your floor tiles, a feature wall or in your vanity. If you plan on selling your house in a few years, it’s best to stick to more neutral colours such as whites, off-whites or greys to ensure no future buyer gets turned off by too much colour. Even if you choose neutral colours, you can easily add in beautiful features such as investing in the handles for your vanity, the showerhead or the tapware.
Image Credit: Christian Mackie
9. Schedule your tradespeople.
Make sure you use tradespeople that have been recommended to you by people you trust. Depending on the project, you will at the very least need a plumber, tiler and electrician. You may also need a builder to remove the old bathroom and make any necessary changes to the existing layout before the others come in. Some builders will provide all of their own tradespeople. Alternatively some interior designers (including ourselves!) will not only design the bathroom for you but manage the entire project from start to finish including hiring and scheduling the tradespeople. Let the fun begin!