You can have a bathroom design that is both stylish and practical. We have the information you need to transform a boring, outdated or drab space into something spectacular.
Find out the steps to make your bathroom design perfect. Also, consider all the fittings and features you may want. Get savvy about bathroom styles. Expert tips will be provided on how to store, tile, decorate windows and other elements.
For all of your bathroom design questions, scroll down and take a look at our bathroom designs for tons of inspiration.
HOW MUCH DOES A NEW BATHROOM COST?
For a complete bathroom remodel, you might expect to spend around P6,000. A budget makeover can cost as low as PS2,300. Prices will vary greatly between designer fittings and standard ranges depending on where you live.
Our article, How much does a bathroom remodel cost provides a detailed breakdown as well as how to budget.
WHY BATHROOM DESIGN IS CAREFUL PLANNING
Planning is the key to designing a bathroom. Bathrooms are practical spaces that are used often. Bathrooms are used frequently by multiple people, such as families. En-suite bathrooms and wet rooms can be used daily by a single person or a couple. Bathrooms must be able to handle the volume of users and also deal with humidity and splashes without looking worn or slippery.
While it was once considered a functional space, we now consider a bathroom to also be a place to relax and unwind. It is possible to design a beautiful bathroom despite all these demands.
If you aren’t confident designing your bathroom layout on your own, an interior designer can help or you can visit a showroom that offers a design service. Many design and build companies offer a bathroom design as part of their contract to install a new bathroom.
HOW TO DESIGN A BATHROOM LIGHTING
Are you looking for ideas on how to design a bathroom layout. You will need to consider which features you should include in your bathroom and how they will be used together.
You can replace the old fittings with newer ones if they are in the same place and you have arranged them well. This will help reduce the cost of your new space. For more inexpensive ways to transform your space, visit our bathroom on a budget.
If your layout isn’t working, or you need more storage or new features in your room, Next, you will need to create a floorplan. We’ll show you how to do this in the next section.
DRAWN A BATHROOM FLOORPLAN
When designing a bathroom, it is important to determine how much space you have. You can either have scale drawings made by an architect or bathroom designer, or create your own with graph paper.
This plan will show you where the essentials such as the toilet, basin, and shower can be found. Also note the location of any windows and doors.
With some planning, even a small bathroom can be transformed into a relaxing and functional space. If you need more information, please visit our small bathroom design article.
HOW TO DESIGN A BATHROOM ONLINE
Do you get unpleasant flashbacks back to school every time graph paper is mentioned? You should learn how to design your bathroom online.
Online planning tools are readily available from suppliers and manufacturers of bathroom products. You can even view your space in 3D. You can get some inspiration by looking for templates that you can use to start and modify, or you could just start over from scratch.
DECIDE WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR BATHROOM DESIGN
You will need to make a list of the things you want in your bathroom layout before you can start planning.
- Bath
- Freestanding bath
- Shower bath
- Spa bath
- Over-bath shower
- Separate shower
- Pedestal basin
- Console basin
- Two basins
- Toilet
- Built-in storage
- Freestanding storage
- Radiator/heated towel rail
CHOOSE A BATHROOM STYLE
Once you have decided on the bathroom fittings that you would like, it is time to decide what style you prefer. You have two options: a more traditional or modern design.
Traditional bathrooms have baths, basins, and loos that are more traditional in style. They tend to have ornate lines and be more decorative. For more inspiration, check out our traditional bathrooms gallery.
While modern bathrooms can look curvaceous or angular, they are both characterized by simple shapes and a lack of detail. Our feature contains more modern bathrooms ideas.
WHAT BATH SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO DESIGN YOUR BATHROOM?
Are you unsure how to choose the best bath to fit your bathroom design? A standard bath that is placed against the wall can be a great solution for space optimization. However, it is not the only option when designing bathrooms. An freestanding bath can transform a room into a luxurious space. There are both traditional and modern freestanding baths. A shower bath with a wider tap at the tap will give you a larger showering area than a standard bathtub.
Double-ended baths might be a good option. These make it easier to share a bath with your family, as the taps are positioned in the middle.
A spa bath is a luxurious option for those who want to indulge in luxury. These baths are equipped with jets that will massage your skin in the water.
A SHOWER IS AN ADDITIONAL Feature in Your Bathroom Design
The choice of the shower is not just about aesthetics. There are also logistical considerations when designing your bathroom. First, make sure you choose a shower that is compatible with your hot water system. Electric showers are very popular because they heat water on demand and run off cold water. Mixer showers heat preheated water from a combi boiler or hot water tank. They can also be fitted with pumps to provide high-pressure flow rates. A thermostatic mixer that regulates temperature is a good choice, even if the toilet is being flushed – it’s safe for families.
A separate enclosure or an over-the-bath-shower will make your family bathroom more flexible. In smaller en suites, a shower can fit where a bathtub won’t.
You have two options: showers with exposed pipes, which can be a striking feature, and those with concealed pipework that only show the controls and the shower head.
Also, think about the number of outlets you need. You might want to switch between a larger, drenching showerhead and a handheld one (possibly mounted on a riser board). These are great for cleaning out the bath or shower enclosure. If you prefer a massaging shower, body jets may be an option. You should also consider whether the best low-pressure showerhead is the one you choose, or the highest pressure showerhead.
SEEK THE PERFECT SHOWER ENCLOSE AND SHOWER TRAIN
You can maximize your showering space with the different shower enclosures and accompanying tray options. You can choose from rectangular or square enclosures depending on the space available. Quadrant enclosures are less space-hungry because they provide elbow space inside the shower, but with a curved front, more floor space is available in the room.
A low-profile shower tray will give your bathroom a modern look. They can make it easier to get into the shower for some users.
There are many styles of shower doors to fit the space, position of other fittings, and mobility of users. Bifolds and sliding doors are great options if you don’t have enough space to open outwards. Access to the shower is easy with hinged doors. If you have less space, pivot doors can be used to access the shower from both the inside and outside. (Image credit to Chris Snook
CREATING A WET ROOM
It’s not enough to know how to design a bathroom. If you want to make the room waterproof, it will need to be tanked. To prevent splashes in other areas, it’s worth considering installing a shower screen. A walk-in, luxuriously sized shower is more economical than a full wet area.
Our guide contains more information about wet-room design.
PICK TOP BATHROOM DESIGNS
How do you choose a bathroom sink? Here are the facts:
Pedestal basins make great focal points and are easy to maintain with hidden pipework.
Semi-pedestal and wall-mounted basins keep the floor clean. These basins can make small bathrooms feel larger.
Console basins or counter-top are mounted on a bathroom countertop. These basins make a stunning feature and can be placed above or below open or closed storage to maximize space.
Inset basins are inserted into the surface to create a modern, clean effect.
Our guide contains more information about choosing a bathroom sink.
TAKE YOUR TIME TO CHOOSE THE BEST BATHROOM TAP CHOICES
You should also take the time to choose the right bathroom taps. You can choose from a traditional or modern style to match the basin and bath.
Consider tap shape and finish:
- The popular finishes of chrome and stainless steel are still very well-liked and will give you a sparkling clean effect.
- Black taps look great against crisp white fittings.
- You want to heat up your bathroom? You can warm up a bathroom with metallic like copper, brass, and bronze. Or, you could try a beautiful rose-gold that has a pinkish hue.
CHOOSING A NEW TOILET IN YOUR BATHROOM DESIGN
Before we move on to the style, there are some technical considerations when selecting a new toilet. We recommend that you have a look at our guide.
You can save money on plumbing costs by replacing an existing toilet in the same location. This refers to the distance between your toilet’s outlet pipe and the wall. This distance can be measured between the wall and closet bolts that attach your toilet to the floor.
Decide if you want a concealed or open cistern. While this looks great when the toilet can be mounted next to fitted furniture, it is important to consider whether you need access to the cistern for cleaning (or dropping in cistern blockers).
Toilet design choices:
- Close-coupled toilets with the cistern on the pan can be fashionable and functional. There are also more traditional and contemporary designs.
- Contemporary toilets can be mounted on the wall or designed back-to-wall.
- A high-level cistern is best for historic style. Ceiling too low? The same look can be achieved with a low-level version that has a shorter flushpipe.
BATHROOM DESIGN: BRILLIANT BATHROOM STORAGE
Bathroom storage is crucial in bathroom design to avoid cluttering the surfaces with towels, toiletries and spare loo rolls. Consider combining the following:
Designed for family bathroom storage. It can be used as a fitted kitchen cabinetry and makes the most of space from floor-to-ceiling with clutter-swallowing drawers and cupboards.
Vanity units which combine basin and cupboard into one unit for a compact footprint. These stunning vanity units are a great source of inspiration.
Wall-hung cabinets which often have mirrored fronts and are a great way to add another essential for your bathroom.
Freestanding furniture that can be used in the bathroom or to create a unique look. Why not add other cabinet furniture?
Take a look at our bathroom storage solutions for more inspiration, and don’t forget to include good towel storage options . (Image credit: Ikea)
FIND THE BEST BATHROOM FLOORING
Choosing bathroom flooring is crucial when designing a bathroom. Children and people who have trouble walking need to use flooring that is slip-resistant. The floor must also be resistant to water, as well as being durable. You shouldn’t use bathroom tiles that are designed to be used as walls.
Porcelain tile is practical, durable and easy to maintain. They can be used to authentically replicate the look of stone and wood.
Natural stone floors look timeless and are durable. You should confirm with the supplier whether the stone you are interested is suitable for use in a bathroom.
Rubber is an excellent choice for children’s bathrooms. It can withstand splashes and will withstand a lot of abuse. It is also very resilient to a fall. It should be slip resistant.
Luxury vinyl is a high quality vinyl that’s both comfortable and warm beneathfoot. You can make it look like wood or stone, and you also have the option of choosing statement colors.
Laminate flooring requires little maintenance. It is important to ensure that the flooring you select is suitable for your bathroom.
Engineered Wood is more stable than solid hardwood. Some ranges are considered suitable for bathrooms. It is best to keep it in an adult-only bathroom so it doesn’t get wet and can’t take many spillages.
SEARCH THE BEST BATHROOM WALL TILES TO FULFILL YOUR BATHROOM DESIGN
To protect bathroom designs from water damage, wall tiles are essential. You can use them creatively to add color or pattern. These are some of the strategies you can use:
- To zone in a space, you can use a different tile color. You could, for example, use white tiles throughout the space and then add a splash of color to the shower area.
- The same tiles can be used on the floors and walls, but the layout of the tiles can be changed by using square or rectangular tiles for the walls.
- You can brighten up walls using high-gloss Metro tiles and crisp white grout.
- A mosaic splashback can add interest to your space.
- Use different tile shapes to add decorative detail. Consider hexagons, fishscale or chevron designs.
You want to give it a try? You can read our step-by-step guide to learn how you can tile a wall . Claybrook Studio, image credit
Choose the Best Bathroom Paint
While colour is a major consideration when designing a bathroom there are other factors to consider. Bathroom paint must be water-resistant and can be easily wiped off. Finish is another important consideration. A soft sheen like satin or eggshell will make your bathroom seem larger.
There are many brands that make bathroom-specific paints now. Our guide to the top bathroom paints will help you find the best.
OPT FOR THE BEST BATHROOM WINDOW DRESSING
Bathroom window treatments must be able to withstand the humidity. Shutters can be smart and help to regulate light and privacy. Are you worried about your window getting splashed? Make sure your bathroom shutter is water-resistant without warping.
Blinds can be made as louvred or coated to withstand condensation.
See all of our bathroom windows ideas in the gallery.
PLAN BATHROOM LIGHTING
When designing a bathroom, lighting is an important consideration. Flexible bathroom lighting will make sure the room is bright enough to do tasks like shaving or applying makeup, but also create a relaxing atmosphere for bathing.
- You can give your room a lot of light with downlights.
- The task lighting around mirrors makes precision tasks easier.
- Accent lighting can be used to highlight a focal point, such as a radiator or bath base.
- Dimmers allow for a shift in the atmosphere from morning to evening.
Bathroom lighting should be appropriate for the space it is in. This will be determined by the distance to the water source. Our advice page will help you choose the right electrician. (Image credit: Darren Chung (c) Future)
HOW TO HEAT YOUR BATHROOM
It’s not just about the aesthetics of a bathroom. You also need to think about heating and other basic services early on. Underfloor heating works well in bathrooms with limited space. Warm water buried underfloor heating is a great option for bathrooms that are part of new extensions. It’s economical and has low running costs.
Because they can be laid in tile adhesive, electric underfloor heating mats make it easier to install. Although they are less expensive to purchase, they will be more costly to operate than a water-based heating system. You may need heating in large bathrooms, such as a radiator and heated towel rail.
PLANNING PERMISSION REQUIRED FOR A BATHROOM
While a new bathroom won’t require planning permission for construction, installing a new bathtub, WC or basin, or changing the electrics in a shower or bath area are all subject to building rules.
If you are replacing plumbing work, it does not need to be approved by the building regulations, except if it is close to or involves electrics (such a shower).
WHO CAN FITS A BATHROOM IN YOUR HOME?
A bathroom company can help you. They can handle all aspects of the project, including plumbing and tiling, as well as electricals. You can also hire the contractors you need for your project. Ask for recommendations from friends and find accredited contractors.
