It may be one of the smallest rooms in the house, but your bathroom shouldn’t draw the short straw when it comes to design and renovation, especially if your home is awash with young kids or busy teenagers!
Practicality and functionality must underpin all aspects of bathroom design; this will not only ensure you create a space that serves your family’s needs but will also make for an attractive selling feature should you ever decide to move on.
Follow these simple guidelines to achieve an effective and lasting bathroom design.
Bathroom Habits
To design a bathroom that will work for your household, you must first consider your family’s bathroom habits. How many people have to use the bathroom? How much storage will be needed? What kind of shower, bath and basin arrangement will suit everyone? Once you have a clear understanding of your reality, you will be better positioned to design a space the works.
Make the Most of the Space
Striking a balance between practicality and functionality can be difficult, especially as space is usually at a premium. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Playing around with a few layout options can often lead to breakthroughs in spatial design.
Remember to consider practical issues like which direction the shower door will open and the depth of the bathroom vanity. Things like this will encroach on your available space and leave you with less room for people and their usual bathroom activities.
Stylistic Freedom
Perhaps one of the most exciting things about your bathroom is that it doesn’t have to be a stylistic match with the rest of your home. Don’t be afraid to incorporate pops of colour, bold wallpapers, edgy tiles or eccentric design elements that will bring the room to life.
Practical Features
Lighting and heating
You should consider your lighting and heating requirements in the early design stages. Any wiring will need to be installed before the walls, ceiling and floor are relined.
If you wish to install underfloor heating, heated towel rails, lighting above the vanity, extraction fans and heating elements to prevent mirrors from steaming up, this will all need to be finalised ahead of time.
Lighting should be functional, and you should always make good use of any natural light sources.
Ventilation
A well-ventilated bathroom is a must. Failing to install adequate ventilation will only lead to dampness and mould and mildew build-up, leading to costly structural damage. Advances in bathroom specific building materials and stringent regulations ensure a consistent ventilation standard across all bathroom renovations and new builds.
Flooring
While many bathroom flooring options are available, tiles are the most durable and easy to clean and can be extended up the wall to a height of 1.2 metres. Advances in linoleum flooring design mean that you can now achieve many unique floor finishes while ticking the durable and easy-clean box. Wooden floors can offer a warm and earthy finish but must be sealed to protect them from moisture damage.
Storage:
Look for a basin or vanity with adequate storage cupboards and drawers. You might want to supplement this with exposed or floating shelves, recessed or floating cabinets. You may not require a lot of bathroom storage but having somewhere to store toothbrushes etc., will remove clutter from the vanity benchtop, which will, in turn, create the illusion of more space.
Whether building or renovating, planning to live in your home or sell, a well-designed bathroom will always add value. If you commit to creating a functional and practical space, you can’t go wrong.
Our range of murals and decals offer an easy and affordable solution for those of you looking to personalise your bathroom space with something edgy and unique.