Bathroom design: A guide to getting it right

I will confess, before studying interior design I didn’t love a bathroom redesign. This room (more than any other) can’t just be about beauty, it needs to have a solid base beneath pretty tiles and gorgeous vanity units that needs to be flawless… plumbing!

But after long hours of studying and many bathroom designs and renovations later, I know a thing or two about how to make a bathroom redesign as painless as possible. I’ve put together this guide to take you through the simple steps to help you approach any bathroom project, that will work for years to come and be a beautiful sanctuary in your home.

Step 1: Assess your bathroom needs

Much like kitchen design, when you are starting a bathroom redesign, you need to take some time to define your vision for the space and identify your specific needs and preferences. Consider how you will use the bathroom daily, as well as any challenges you currently face. Clarifying your goals will help inform the entire redesign process. Create your list of what you need, what you would like (depending on space) and what you do not want.  

TIP - be honest with yourself! For example, despite a bath often being a big wow moment, do you regularly take a bath? Could the space needed for this be used in a way that would better suit your needs?

Step 2: Evaluate the existing space

This is potentially the most important step. Often bathrooms in the UK are not sprawling and in some cases odd shapes. We have gone through decades of homes being cut and diced to maximise every inch and the bathroom often pays the price. So, it’s important to look at what you have and be realistic about what can be put into the space. Consider factors such as the location of plumbing fixtures, natural light sources, and any architectural constraints that may impact the design.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Current blueprint – anything is possible with additional budget, but getting the plumbing layout completely changed is often costly. By keeping to the general layout and blueprint you currently have will minimise the cost.

• Underfloor heating – if you are completely gutting your bathroom consider underfloor heating. In the cold months this will be something you will not regret

• Windows – despite it being lovely to shower in natural light it is not advised to put a shower directly near your window, over time it could rot the surround.

By understanding the limitations and possibilities of the existing space, you'll be better equipped to make informed decisions about layout changes, fixture placement, and design elements.

Step 3: Establish a realistic budget

Setting a budget is a crucial step in any renovation project, especially bathroom redesigns. Determine how much you're willing to invest in the project and allocate funds accordingly, considering expenses such as materials, fixtures, labour, and unforeseen costs. Be realistic about your budget constraints and prioritise essential elements to ensure that your investment aligns with your goals and expectations.

Step 4: Seek inspiration and ideas

Gather inspiration from various sources, such as design magazines, websites, and social media platforms, to spark ideas and refine your vision for the new bathroom. Create a mood board or digital collage to visualize your desired aesthetic, incorporating elements such as colours, textures, fixtures, and lighting. Drawing inspiration from diverse sources will help you develop a cohesive design that reflects your style and personality.

TIP – If you are still in need of some ideas, we have popped some bathroom inspo on our Instagram @macheinteriors!

Step 5: DIY vs a bathroom supplier

In a departure from what I suggested with kitchen design, I usually recommend that my clients don’t go with a bathroom supplier. Don’t get me wrong, they can be fantastic, but they often specialise in a certain design style, and it is sometimes hard to create a space that feels bespoke to you.

We think a better approach is to work with a great plumber/tiler/electrician to get your base brilliantly fitted and then either go to independent stores for your vanity/bath/shower or work with a carpenter maker to make you something that fits exactly in your space. This might take a little longer to do, but the result will be perfect for your space and really reflect your style.

TIP – if you are struggling to find a great vanity unit, don’t discount a vintage sideboard. You can treat it or put a marble top, and some vanity sinks and have a unique vanity that can cost less than a shop bought unit.

Bonus TIP – If you want a bespoke solution that can be designed in any way you wish, check out www.hellonook.co.uk.

Step 6: Hide it all away

A bathroom is a hard-working room and if you are anything like me, it houses a lot of products and some of them are not the most attractive. So, hidden storage is going to be your best friend. My recommendation is to add in as much as possible, but if space is tight, think about what you use when. Would lots of draws in your vanity unit be enough? Where would you like your toilet roll stored? Thinking of this will allow you to put your hidden storage in an easy to access space.

Some ideas to consider:

• Max out space for a vanity – The larger your vanity the more space for draws! So, if you need more storage this is a great place to create a focal point in your room whilst maximising your storage space

• Install a floating shelf/recess for your bath – Create a nook next to your bath to house all your toiletries within easy reach

• Take advantage of the entire wall – Look at your walls and think about if they could be adapted to be a storage powerhouse. Think about creating a wall of shelving (think of a bathroom bookcase) that can create a feature and store all your products

• Create a nook for shower essentials – As with the bath, no one wants to be bending over to find their shampoo, so a recess is always a good idea. If this is not possible then consider decanting your key products into matching bottles and putting them in a stylish wall bracket, to give you that hotel vibe for less

• Make your vanity space work harder - Create a recess above your vanity and cover with a door. This can then be covered with your choice of mirror, meaning you can ditch the retro medicine cabinet without compromising on space

Step 7: Tile

Ok this one is often the most daunting choice and really doesn’t need to be. I get so many people say to me how worried they are to pick tile as it “needs to last for a long time” and yes it does, but no more than any other flooring in your home. So, stop building it up and approach it as you would any other surface. How do you want the space to feel? Do you want it to be minimal or opulent? How do you feel about grout lines?

TIP - Once you have decided on all these element’s order lots of tile samples. Look at how the colours and textures change in the light of the space, how they feel against your skin and how your floor and wall tiles work together.  

We hope this helped but if there were any areas that you would like us to go into in more depth let us know. We know that choosing a bathroom can be a minefield, so join us for our next blog where we will give you a short guide on the top kitchen manufacturers you can work with in the UK.