When it comes to home bathrooms, we all know that the look and feel of a space can add to that wow factor in a home.
Along with the relaxed enjoyment you’ll get from spending time in a beautiful bathroom, it’s well-known within property circles that a great bathroom can significantly add to the value of a home.
So, the visual design of your bathroom can be more than just a life perk; it can also be a sound financial asset.
But beyond the glamour of dazzling interiors and the satisfaction of increased assets, it’s crucial that your home bathroom also benefits from good functional design.
What Is Functional Bathroom Design?
The functional design of a bathroom is how well it functions, i.e., how well it meets the demands of the residents.
For example, the dual sink, one of the top bathroom trends in recent years, shows how functional design can influence interiors and aesthetics.
In this case, the common issue of queues for the sink led to a functional solution (dual sinks), which led to the trend of increasingly stylish double-sink vanity unit designs.
3 Tips For Functional Bathroom Design
Assess Daily Use
The fundamental functional bathroom designs ensure that the space, layout, and facilities meet the residents’ daily use well.
While taste and preferences can vary widely regarding decor and style, the essential functions of a bathroom are familiar to everyone.
These include aspects such as enough space to move around freely, ideally even when the door is open; safe and easy access to the bath or shower; appropriate levels of privacy; space to stand by the sink, e.g., for brushing teeth, washing, doing make-up, etc.; and safe non-slip flooring.
Beyond these basic requirements, other things to consider are good lighting, mirrors, fixtures within easy reach (e.g., towel rail, loo-roll holder), storage for bathroom essentials, and cleaning materials.
For a functional bathroom, all of these not-so-glamourous aspects need to be the starting point to ensure that your bathroom doesn’t just look fantastic; it actually works well as one of the home’s most heavy-duty rooms.
The advice from top Devon bathroom designers that ‘it should always be practical’ is a good rule of thumb when planning any new bathroom updates or renovations.
Consider House Size
When planning a functional bathroom, the size of the property plays a vital role in the design.
The number of bedrooms is likely to indicate the type of demands on the bathroom. It’s also important to consider what other facilities are available in the home.
For example, is there an additional cloakroom loo? Is there an en suite or even another bathroom? These factors will influence the requirements for your new bathroom design, as they will help you envisage the required functions.
A 5-bedroom family home will likely have various requirements, as the occupants will range in age and bathroom preferences. These may also change over time, so it’s essential to plan a bathroom that can adapt to shifts in demand.
Review House Style
Is the home a spacious family residence or a compact bachelor pad? The house’s style will influence the requirements for a well-designed, well-functioning bathroom.
For example, a space for bathing small children or family dogs will require a different design for a professional couple who only ever uses the shower.
So, you’re keen to maximize the resale value of your property. When designing a bathroom, careful consideration must be given to the type of property and the lifestyles of those who want that kind of home.
You may love a sumptuous tub for long soaks, but if you plan to sell to a demographic favoring a fabulous shower, you may not recoup your investment.
If you plan to redesign your current bathroom, you’ve identified the aspects that work well or the design flaws that must be resolved.
The shower door opening may be problematic, or the sink may be in the wrong place for how it’s used the most. Considering how your bathroom is used and the optimum position of the facilities is the core of good functional bathroom design.
If you’re planning a new bathroom from scratch, consider the features you most appreciate in your current layout or what can be improved to smooth the demands of daily use.
With these basics in mind, you’ll be well on your way to a bathroom that looks great and does an excellent job of serving the occupants conveniently and highly functionally.
