How to Design a Bathroom – Expert Bathroom Planning and Layout Advice

Transform Your Space with Thoughtful Design

Discover how to design a bathroom to perfection—it’s a fantastic opportunity to enhance your space with both style and functionality.

Wondering how to design a bathroom?

Designing a bathroom often requires more thought than any other room in your home. While kitchens can be challenging, you typically have the support of a kitchen designer. In contrast, with a bathroom, you may find yourself managing various tradespeople, including the plasterer, plumber, and flooring installer, which can feel overwhelming.

Since bathrooms are usually smaller spaces, clever use of layout is essential to fit in all desired features while maintaining a visually appealing and comfortable atmosphere. Bathroom installations can also be deceptively tricky, involving plumbing, intricate spatial planning, and technical skills.

With countless inspirational bathroom ideas to consider, it’s wise to engage a design service—whether through an interior designer, a specialist bathroom designer, or, at the very least, an experienced builder or plumber with a design eye. At Premiere Klasse, our bathroom design team is ready to assist in creating the perfect space for your home.

How to Design a Bathroom

Much like planning a kitchen, the first step in designing a bathroom is analysing how you currently use the space. Take note of what works and what doesn’t. Then, gather bathroom images for inspiration and create a wish list that accounts for all potential users and their individual needs, keeping in mind how those needs might evolve. For example, a family bathroom typically requires a bath and durable, splash-proof surfaces, while a master en-suite can afford to be more luxurious.

How Do You Plan a New Bathroom Layout?

Let's explore some key design effects a well-thought-out bathroom layout can create:

• The View Upon Entrance: Your entry view is crucial; ideally, the first thing you see should be the bath or basin—not the toilet.
• Choose One Key Piece: Build the layout around a standout feature like a freestanding bath, a stunning vanity unit, or an elegantly tiled shower area.
• Symmetrical Layouts: If the proportions of your bathroom allow, consider a symmetrical layout aligned with an architectural feature, such as an original sash window.
• Maximise Space: Ensure there is adequate room around each fixture for comfort. For tight spaces, consider inward-opening shower doors or an over-bath shower.
• Ask Experts: Even the smallest bathrooms can be creatively planned. Premiere Klasse’s designers can help you reimagine the layout for maximum functionality and appeal.

Create Drama in Larger Bathrooms

In larger bathrooms, avoid a cramped feel by experimenting with angles. An offset bath can add dynamic interest, or you can incorporate a clever walk-in shower design behind your bath by bringing the bath forward.

When planning your bathroom, always start with the layout. Ideally, work with minimal bends in the toilet's pipework to prevent blockages; relocating fixtures may require significant effort, but it’s possible.

If the new location follows the direction of the floor joists, it’s easier to manage. You can also move the toilet further along the external wall hosting the soil stack, drilling a new hole and connecting it externally. After you determine the toilet's position, you can start planning the locations for the basin, bath, and shower. If needed, you can install a new raised floor to accommodate pipes, but this may require a step up into the room.

Once you have your layout and measurements, the exciting part begins—creating mood boards and selecting products. Don’t forget about towel rails and heating; a common mistake is having to walk across the bathroom to reach towels after a shower.

How to Design a Family Bathroom

The family bathroom is usually the largest in the house and accessible from the main hallway. Choose fittings and finishes with low maintenance and durability in mind.

“I would always use porcelain tiles in a family bathroom, including slip-resistant porcelain for the floors, as they are hard-wearing and will look amazing for years to come,” says senior designer Sally Miller.

“Plus, they require zero maintenance, which is essential,” Miller added. Ample storage is also crucial, accommodating everything from toddler toys to an expanding collection of toiletries for teens. If space permits, double up on vanities, basins, and mirrors, but don’t eliminate the bath if it’s the only one in the house. Instead, consider a space-saving shower-bath.

How to Design a Master En-Suite

In a master en-suite, where only adults typically use the space, you can indulge in luxurious materials and a more complex lighting scheme to create a relaxing mood.

If space allows, consider dual vanity areas with attached dressing rooms. This is your opportunity to invest in upscale bathroom features like a steam shower or advanced sound system, which might be compromised by curious kids or inexperienced guests. Be creative with small bathroom ideas, potentially placing a bathtub in the bedroom with a small area sectioned off for the toilet and basin.

Planning Shower Rooms, Wet Rooms, and Guest En-Suites

Shower rooms and guest en-suites can fit into surprisingly small footprints using space-saving fittings and a compact cloakroom basin. Keep designs simple and safe with thermostatic valve showers and easy-to-clean surfaces.

The first consideration with a shower is the type of floor. Whether using a tray or tiled floor, an anti-slip option is essential. Many steel trays offer anti-slip features, and composite trays often have a matte finish for added grip. When tiling the shower floor, opt for matte finish tiles to ensure grip, avoiding glossy options that can be hazardous.

Wet room designs range from ultra-minimal frameless styles to bold black Crittall designs. It’s important to note that if the width of a glass panel exceeds 1100mm, a bracing bar for stability will be required, which can be fixed to either the wall or ceiling.

While some homeowners prefer an enclosed shower for heat retention, a walk-in design can offer an open feel.

Pick the Perfect Bath

Baths come in various shapes, styles, and materials, making it easy to find one that suits your budget and needs. Freestanding stone, composite, and cast-iron baths are at the higher end of the price spectrum but offer significant benefits compared to inset steel and acrylic tubs. Composites are warm to the touch and easily repaired, while cast-iron baths excel in heat retention.

Find the Best Brassware

Brassware is a crucial element in any bathroom. As working parts that endure continuous water flow, they must be durable enough to withstand daily wear and tear. We recommend investing in quality brassware to ensure longevity since most brassware is wall-mounted, making it harder to fix.

Choosing products suited to your property’s water pressure is also vital; older Victorian homes, for instance, typically lack suitable plumbing for sufficient pressure in large overhead showers.

Prioritise Bathroom Lighting at the Planning Stage

Smart bathroom lighting can significantly enhance your space and should be planned early to ensure all key fittings are properly illuminated.

Whether creating a spa-like sanctuary or a fresh, family-friendly bathroom, effective lighting can make a small bathroom feel larger and a spacious one more intimate. Layers of light, on dimmers and separate circuits, allow for various atmospheres, from bright cleaning light to soft relaxation settings.

Good lighting is as critical as positioning sanitaryware; the overall mood of your bathroom depends on the lighting scheme. Avoid over-relying on downlights, as they provide even coverage but can make the space feel clinical. Instead, consider using two lighting circuits: one for downlights and another for feature lighting such as recessed lights, under-basin lights, wall lights, and floor markers to up-light the bath.

Aim for sufficient task lighting in shower and vanity areas, along with ambient lighting around the bath and in alcoves. The latest smart lighting controls allow for pre-programmed settings that cater to different needs.

Achieve Beautiful Bathroom Flooring

Options like porcelain, natural stone, terracotta, and encaustic tiles are all stunning choices for bathroom flooring. Consider the aesthetic you want to achieve along with practicalities, as materials like wood flooring are unsuitable due to potential warping and staining.

Ensure You Cater for Bathroom Storage

At the start of your project, assess your storage needs to tailor arrangements to your specific requirements and available space. Bespoke joinery can be crafted to fit your space and style.

For example, I’m currently designing a small shower room with a vanity unit wrapped in tongue-and-groove panelling, matching the wall and creating a less obtrusive look.

What Else Do I Need to Consider When Planning a Bathroom?

Once your plans are in order, consider updating architectural elements like doors, plinths, and cornices. A simple skim of plaster can tidy a messy ceiling. Well-dressed windows also help to create a polished finish; plantation shutters designed for bathroom use provide privacy and are easy to clean.

Don’t forget to reserve some budget for beautiful accessories that bring the look together. Inspired by boutique hotels, ensure your bathroom has lovely toiletries and plush towels for an inviting touch.  

Will an Extra Bathroom Add Value to Your Home?

If you’re pondering whether adding an extra bathroom will enhance your home’s value, the answer is likely yes. Adding bathrooms is a recognised method for boosting property value and can greatly alleviate morning rush hour stress. Options include converting an adjacent box room into an en-suite, utilising an unused area of an upstairs landing, or using stud walls to separate a large bedroom. Smart downstairs utility or cloakroom ideas can incorporate a shower room if upstairs options are limited.

The rise of electric showers and pumped drainage systems, such as macerators, means few spaces are unsuitable for bathroom fittings. While macerators may be noisier than gravity-based drainage, many homeowners find the trade-off acceptable, especially for occasional guest use.

Plumbing a new room is easier and more cost-effective if it's located near an existing bathroom or above the kitchen, minimising the distance pipework must travel to connect to the external soil stack.

What Makes a Good Bathroom?

If you’re curious about what makes a good bathroom, remember it depends entirely on individual needs. Each person has different priorities, so these should be accounted for in your design. For instance, a family bathroom may require both a bath and a shower, plus ample storage, while an en-suite might only need a compact shower and toilet. Layout is also key, along with lighting and storage solutions tailored to your space.

Need Expert Advice?

Ready to start planning the perfect bathroom? Talk to Kris or our expert team today! We’re here to help you design the bathroom of your dreams!