A Complete Guide for Designing a Bathroom
A bathroom is a unique space within your home because it’s personal and you can design it based on your own taste and interest. An eclectic design could look overburdening and tacky in another room, but with bathrooms, you can bend the rules a bit and add design features that might not come from the same period or the same style.
The main goal when designing a bathroom should be to understand how you use it and make your design fit into that. Have in mind that this also means you need to take into consideration how others in your household use the bathroom and how your habits may change.
Floor
The floor is the largest part of your bathroom and it will determine the look and the feel of the entire room. When you’re choosing floor tiles, have in mind that all other items in your bathroom will have to interact with it and complement it.
It’s perfectly fine to not have an overall pattern or even a concept behind choosing the materials and the color of the tiles. The only rule that you have to follow is that the design needs to be symmetrical when seen from above.
Cabinets
Choosing the cabinets is often a pragmatic decision. They need to be large enough to fit all the items that you might need in a bathroom. It’s also important to keep them within reach and easy to clean and maintain.
The style of the cabinets depends on your personal preferences, but there’s a trend that’s interesting and that might suit most bathrooms. Cabinets are often made in retro style and from hardwood even if the rest of the bathroom is modern. That makes for a nice contrast and gives the bathroom a rich and luxurious look.
Shower
Even for large bathrooms that have tubs and other luxurious features – a shower is seen as the most important part. It needs to be relaxing and easy to clean, so it can accommodate quick morning showers as well as longer indulgent ones.
Large glass showers are especially popular for both their practicality and their look. These showers appear to be modern and spacious and that look is easily enhanced by using brass faucets and door handles. At the same time, high-tech glass that changes texture will give you more privacy.
Lighting
The light can make or break a bathroom design because it can change the appearance of the entire room. Bathrooms don’t usually have a lot of natural light and they are often small and crowded, which means that the way you set up the lights can make the bathroom much more or less comfortable, depending on your skills.
The best way to go is to make sure there are enough task lights all over the bathroom. That will make lighting even and allow you to perform various tasks around the bathroom with comfort and ease. Ambiance light can also help especially if there are a lot of glass structures that create a glare.
Bathtub
The bathtub can be the most luxurious part of your bathroom. It’s usually the biggest investment you need to make when decorating and since that’s the case, you might as well indulge yourself a bit. For instance, a freestanding bath can have a luxury look to it regardless the material it’s made of.
The tub usually takes up plenty of space and you shouldn’t put too much furniture next to it or it will appear too crowded and lose a lot of its appeal.
Countertops
Countertops need to be large and hard enough to place everything that you might need on them. They also need to be made out of the material that can withstand water and steam that bathrooms are usually filled with.
Marble is the most sought-after material, but it’s not the cheapest option out there. There are a lot of alternatives that could also be put to a good use. The key is to choose the design that won’t clash with the cabinets. Dark tones are probably the best way to go here especially because they look good in front of a mirror.
A seating area
Large bathrooms could also accommodate a seating area. This is a luxurious addition and it should stand out from the rest of the room. The area should consist of a small table and a few plush chairs. These items can be much lighter in tone and simpler in design.
It isn’t something you should try to install in a smaller bathroom since it might clash with the rest of the design and make the whole setup appear tacky.
Designing a bathroom can be tricky because it needs to be functional and convey a certain esthetic. The upside is that you get to mix and match different designs and styles.
