A bathroom is one of the last things that comes to mind when talking about home design. They can be lifeless and mundane, but they don’t have to be. There are many different paths to take when planning your new bathroom, and the possibilities are endless. It’s not just about the visual aspect, though. Most bathrooms aren’t designed to be as efficient as they could be.
Your bathroom is one of the most used rooms in your house, so having one that you hate is going to put a damper on your day. Designing a bathroom that you love is more important than many people realize. Efficiency is also a key factor, but not all designers or construction workers truly understand that. Even if they do, hiring the two services separately often leads to poor communication or disagreements. Most architects lack first-hand experience and don’t always realize when their designs are impractical.
There is a simple solution to this issue. Hiring a design-build firm like Winthorpe Design & Build means you no longer need an architect. We have professional, licensed designers on staff who are eager and able to help you design the perfect bathroom. But if you’re more comfortable hiring an architect to design, we still do construction, remodels, and renovations based on someone else’s blueprints. We even offer online consultations, so you don’t have to leave the safety and comfort of your home.
If this is your first time designing a bathroom, chances are you don’t know where to start. We understand the struggle you’re going through, so we have some advice to help you out. At Winthorpe Design & Build, we put your happiness and comfort at the top of our priority list. When you hire us, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Tips for Small Bathrooms
Working with restricted space means you need to get as much out of every inch as you can. Here are some tips for making your small bathroom efficient and less claustrophobia-inducing. Oh, and don’t forget to factor in the door!
Get Creative
The number one issue with small bathrooms is that there isn’t as much room to put your stuff. That means it’s time to get creative with your storage. Often there are appliances, surfaces, and fixtures that take up space but don’t offer much storage or other functionality. One solution to this that will also make your bathroom look more modern is a floating sink, toilet, and counters. That is, we’ll attach them to the wall instead of the floor. Not only does this take up less space, it also gives the illusion of a bigger bathroom.
Some other options include opting for a mini vanity over a full-sized one, making a medicine cabinet that is sunken into the wall as opposed to jutting out and getting rid of any other protruding items at the same time. Another thing to consider is using wall hooks instead of towels racks or shelves.
Simplicity is Key
Something to remember while making your bathroom design is that simplicity is key. You have less space, which means that over-decorating and using busy designs will only make it look and feel smaller. A sleek, modernized look is probably better when designing a small bathroom.
Use Lighting to Your Advantage
The way space is lit has more influence over its appearance than you’d think. While dim, warm lighting makes a room feel more welcoming and cozy, it also makes it feel smaller. Fluorescent lighting is not the answer, but another bright option would suit the space just fine. A skylight, whiter light, and LEDs all work brilliantly.
General Tips & Tips for Large Bathrooms
Working with an average or large bathroom has many advantages, but there are still things you need to know. Having more space doesn’t necessarily mean fewer problems.
Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should
Having more space gives you more options, but that doesn’t mean all the options are good. If you go to the store to buy decor and see 100 things you like, you may have room for them all. Yet, you should NOT take all 100 decorations home to put in your bathroom. Obviously, the decision is up to you, but it’s not going to end well.
Waterproofing is Important
Waterproofing is necessary to have in all bathrooms (but especially ones with tall, hard-to-clean walls). Despite that, it’s easy to overlook during all the excitement. Most construction companies will bring this up themselves, or just include it automatically, but it never hurts to ask. Without waterproofing your bathroom, the steam and water droplets that build up on surfaces can cause damage to your walls, ceilings, and lead to mold.
Don’t Make It Too Dated
Aesthetic choices are up to you, but it’s wise not to make your bathroom too dated. Designing your bathroom in the current trends may seem fun, but trends change quickly. In ten years, your trendy and stylish bathroom will be outdated.
Avoid Wood Floors
Wood floors are gorgeous and add tons of personality to your home. They work in any room you want… except the bathroom. While the finish on your wood floors protects it from some of the water, it isn’t indestructible. If water puddles aren’t wiped up right away, it can begin to degrade the finish, and eventually the wood itself.
Make It Unique
This is probably the most important advice out there. You are unique, with your own personality, likes, and dislikes. No matter how many articles tell you what to do, go with what you prefer.
How We Can Help
Winthorpe Design & Build is a design-build firm that has been in business for 30 years. We’ve worked in Maryland and Washington D.C. long enough to be ready for anything you throw at us.
Because we’re a design-build firm, we know how to make your new bathroom space-efficient, cost-effective, and practical without going over budget.
We know how important it is to do the job right the first time, so we never take shortcuts.
For a design-build firm that knows how to help, contact us anytime for a virtual consultation and get started on your design-build project.
