Creating a functional and beautiful bathroom is both an art and a science. This guide will help you navigate the complexities of bath design, from maximizing space to incorporating luxurious touches, all while avoiding common pitfalls.
Choosing the Right Fixtures For Your Bathroom
Showers, tubs, toilets, and vanities all play into your bathroom’s overall function and design. Here are some tips for finding the right options for your space.
Showers vs. Tubs
When deciding between a shower and a tub, consider your lifestyle and space constraints. “If you don’t have time to take a bath, why have a tub, especially in a second bath?” asks kitchen and bath designer Daniel Lenner. In small bathroom layouts, replacing a rarely used tub with a larger, more luxurious shower can open up the space and is more practical for daily use. If you opt for a shower, consider including both a traditional and a handheld showerhead for versatility.
If you still want a tub, avoid additional steps up to the tub because you’ll end up with a bigger step down. And be cautious with sunken tubs, which can pose safety risks. “They’re too easy to fall into in the middle of the night,” says designer Greg Rawson of Richard’s Kitchen & Bath Center in Muncie, Indiana.
Selecting the Perfect Toilet
When selecting bathroom fixtures, invest in the best, highest performing toilets. Look for models with fully glazed traps at least two inches wide for better flushing performance. Placement is also key: Of all the necessities in a bathroom, the toilet is the most intrusive. “The toilet shouldn’t be the first thing that you see when you enter the bath,” advises architect Pat Peterson. If space permits, locate the toilet out of sight, like behind a partial wall or in a separate water closet.
If you’re placing the toilet in a separate room, make sure the room is at least 36 inches wide and 66 inches deep, with proper ventilation, lighting, and grab bars if needed. Kitchen and bath designer Molly Korb of MK Designs in Newcastle, California, suggests using a pocket door for privacy if there isn’t enough room to swing a conventional door. If you’re moving the toilet, ask a plumber if you need a new vent stack or if you can tie it into the existing one.
Vanity and Sink Considerations
The vanity is often the centerpiece of a bathroom. If space allows, a double-bowl vanity can be luxurious, but ensure there’s enough elbow room (at least 60 inches side to side) for comfortable use. “Two bowls are useless if two people don’t have enough elbow room to use them at the same time,” says kitchen and bath designer Judy Bracht. In smaller bathrooms, a single, centered sink can provide more counter space and storage options.
You can maximize storage by thinking vertically. Interior designer Sharon Hopkins suggests vanities with drawer storage instead of doors, as small items often get lost in deep cabinets. Make those drawers even more efficient with molded plastic dividers and cosmetic trays. To stretch storage space, also consider installing wall cabinets that extend from the vanity top to the ceiling and 8-inch-deep recessed medicine cabinets.
Bathroom Lighting and Ventilation Essentials
Proper lighting and ventilation are the foundation of a comfortable and functional bathroom environment.
Optimal Lighting Placement
According to designer Colleen B. Langston, the right lighting can help turn an ordinary space into a luxury bath. “Regardless of your bathroom size or budget, pay careful attention to lighting details and fixtures.”
Langston recommends placing strip lights on either side of the mirror rather than above it for grooming. Overhead lighting creates shadows on your face. Use frosted bulbs for more even light distribution, and consider installing fixtures directly on the mirror to amplify their effect through reflection.
Ventilation Solutions for Moisture Control
To minimize moisture problems, we recommend installing an exhaust fan capable of changing the air in the bathroom eight times per hour. Calculating the bathroom fan size you need is simple: determine the room’s total cubic footage (length × width × height), multiply that number by eight, and then divide by 60 to find the required cubic feet per minute (cfm) rating. Always choose a fan with a rating slightly higher than your calculated need to guarantee effective moisture removal.
Bathroom Safety Features for All Ages
Incorporating bathroom safety features into your design is important for creating a space that’s accessible and comfortable for all users, regardless of their age or mobility.
Installing Grab Bars and Nonslip Surfaces
Grab bars are a must in the shower and tub area. Towel bars won’t work because they don’t support weight. Install at least two grab bars in the shower—one at the entry point and one at the water source. “Mount them on a 45-degree angle to put the most surface within easy reach,” advises Rawson.
Because you can’t secure grab bars solely to drywall, you’ll need to reinforce the area behind each bar with blocking. The blocking should span the distance between the wall studs to transfer the weight applied to the bar to the studs. An alternative to blocking is to line the entire shower niche with 3/4-inch plywood, which allows grab bars to be mounted anywhere on its surface.
Here are some other safety tips:
- Make sure showers and baths have nonslip coating or mats to help prevent falls.
- If you’re using potentially slippery materials such as marble or glazed ceramic tiles for flooring, opt for wider grout joints and matte finishes to improve traction.
- Place shower-control valves to turn on the water and control the temperature outside the shower.
- Aim the water source away from the shower door.
Accessibility Considerations
When designing for accessibility, consider features such as curbless showers that allow easy entry for users of all mobility levels. For toilets, plan for enough space around the fixture for easy access and potential assistance. And in small bathrooms, pocket doors that don’t need swing space make the room more navigable for those with mobility aids.
Electrical Safety
Make sure all electrical circuits are ground-fault protected. If you’re unsure about handling any electrical work yourself, call a professional.
Luxurious Touches for a Spa-Like Bathroom Experience
Transforming your bathroom into a spa-like retreat can elevate your daily routine and provide a relaxing escape within your home. To create a super relaxing bath experience, consider adding a rainfall showerhead, a deep soaking tub, or even a steam shower if space and budget allow. Heated towel racks and radiant floor heating can add comfort and luxury, especially during colder months.
Choosing Soothing Colors and Textures
Your bathroom color palette significantly impacts the overall atmosphere. To create a serene environment, opt for calming, neutral tones such as soft blues, greens or warm grays. Incorporate natural materials such as stone or wood (or wood-look tiles for moisture resistance) to add warmth and texture. Plush, high-quality towels and a soft bath mat can enhance the luxurious feel of the space.
Eco-Friendly Bath Design
Creating an environmentally conscious bathroom helps reduce your carbon footprint and can also lead to significant savings on water and energy bills. By incorporating sustainable materials and water-saving fixtures, you can design a bathroom that’s both eco-friendly and stylish.
Opt for low-flow toilets, showerheads, and faucets to reduce water consumption without sacrificing performance. Dual-flush toilets offer different flush volumes for liquid and solid waste, further conserving water. Consider installing a gray water system that recycles water from sinks and showers for toilet flushing or garden irrigation.
Choose materials with low environmental impact, such as recycled glass tiles, reclaimed wood for vanities, or recycled countertops. Look for products with eco-friendly certifications, such as FSC-certified wood or low-VOC, eco friendly paints and finishes. Consider sustainable flooring options such as cork, which is a renewable resource and offers natural water resistance.
Budgeting for Your Bath Remodel
Understanding where to allocate your funds and where you can save can help you get the bathroom of your dreams without breaking the bank.
Cost-Saving Tips
To save on costs, consider refinishing existing fixtures rather than replacing them entirely. For example, re-glazing a bathtub can give it new life at a fraction of the price of a new one. For tiles, use expensive designer tiles as accents within a field of more affordable options. DIY painting and simple installations can also help reduce labor costs.
Where To Splurge vs. Save
We recommend investing in high-quality and durable fixtures for items you use daily, such as faucets, showerheads, and toilets. If buying a more expensive toilet means having to save somewhere else, use lower-priced tile. It’s smart to splurge on elements that significantly impact your daily experiences, such as a luxurious shower system or heated flooring, while saving on easily replaceable items, such as cabinet hardware or light fixtures.
Hiring Professionals vs. DIY
Deciding whether to hire professionals or tackle your bathroom remodel as a DIY project depends on several factors, including your skill level, the project’s complexity, and your budget.
Bathroom remodels range from $70–250* per square foot. Here are some common bathroom remodeling costs to plan for:
- Bathtub replacement: $4,200–$11,000
- New cabinets: $200–$600 per unit
- Flooring materials: $2–$22 per square foot
- Sink faucets: $170–$360
- Toilet: $350–$4,000
- Plumber: $45–$200 per hour
- Electrician: $50–$200 per hour
- HVAC repair: $50–$100 per hour
*Cost information is based on 2024 reports from Angi.
While renovating your bathroom yourself can save you money on labor, it’s important to realistically assess your abilities. Plumbing and electrical work often require professional expertise to ensure safety and compliance. Professionals are familiar with city codes and permits to keep your remodel in compliance with local regulations. This can prevent future legal issues or complications when selling your home. For complex projects involving structural changes or high-end finishes, hiring a professional can even save money by avoiding costly mistakes.
DIY is best suited for simpler tasks that do not require specialized skills or extensive experience. Painting, installing shelves, or replacing fixtures are examples of projects homeowners can often handle themselves.
Our Conclusion
Designing a functional and beautiful bathroom requires careful planning and consideration of various elements, from layout and fixtures to lighting and safety features. Don’t rush through the planning process: Think about who will use the room and how old they are. The answers will start you off on the right track toward planning a bath that meets your needs and adds comfort and value to your home.
