Bathroom Designing

Bathrooms are important rooms in homes. They are roughly used, high-traffic areas, particularly in busy households with several children. They are subject to a lot of moisture and all of the problems that wet spaces can represent. Often, they are also small, tight spaces with inadequate storage, or they are constructed of inferior materials. This is particularly true of builder-grade new construction and older homes that were poorly renovated. Builder-grade, according to DoItYourself.com, "is the lowest rated of the grades of materials used in construction."

Research

Bathroom design begins with research. If the bathroom being designed is in an existing home and is too small, then one of the first considerations is if it is possible to gain space by penetrating a wall shared with an adjoining room. To make this decision the homeowner should talk to a real estate agent that regularly lists homes in their neighborhood. Every neighborhood has certain sales characteristics that should influence renovation choices. If the space you need to borrow reduces the number of bedrooms and if your neighborhood sells to families, the loss of a bedroom may not provide the same value as gained function in the bathroom. This could affect the price of your home should you decide to sell it later on. This type of research is also the best way to determine the price range of a bathroom renovation.

Adding Space

If you can borrow space to expand a small bathroom you also have to consider the probability that you will need to move all of your plumbing. This can add significantly to your budget costs. However, a well-designed bathroom far exceeds replacing finishes in a poorly designed bathroom. The first order of business in the actual design is to sketch the "new space" at scale, using graph paper as a guide. On your drawing, remove everything to the studs.

Access to Pipes and Wires

Gutting to the studs is often an excellent choice in creating a new bathroom design as it will allow your plumber and electrician complete access to pipes and wires, and any moldy or damaged wall boards will be completely removed. Generally, the floor is reduced to the subfloor when possible.

Function

Function trumps fashion. A bathroom needs to work hard, and every fixture needs adequate room. Your vanity and commode will be used more than your tub or shower, so allow sufficient space for each to work well. When planning your bathroom you also need to consider storage of bathroom products and room for bars to hang wet objects on to dry. In addition, you should consider any access issues such as additional mobility space for the elderly or lesser-abled. If you know you will be using a pedestal or nonstorage vanity, then you should incorporate storage in the bathroom using other means. The style of your finishes should be considered if, for example, you want a faucet to emerge from a wall or ceiling rather than a vanity top. Once you have your rough position of fixtures, then you can select the style of the finishes.

Avoid Trends

To design the finishes for your bathroom you should consider timely design and durability. You want your bathroom to look good in a timeless way so that it retains its value. Avoid trends. According to NouveauBathrooms.com, "choose simple designs made from smooth surfaces, such as ceramic and marble, and opt for light, neutral tones." Select products that are good quality but not decade specific. This means you should avoid trendy colors and finishes. A neutral palette will allow you to update by changing linens. While granites and cherry are currently popular, they are also becoming dated. Also, avoid taste-specific cabinetry. Clean and simple lines are often a good medium solution. Consider "green" products for countertops. It's a good idea to add a solar tube light (similar to a skylight) for daylight illumination when possible. Be sure to consider room between studs for custom-built, long, shallow storage. Make sure your plumber installs isolators and braces to prevent hammering of your pipes, and sound deadener materials around pipes if your bathroom backs up to other living spaces. Add 10 to 20 percent to your estimated budget for the unexpected.