by Sam Ferris
The 80s and 90s got a lot of things right (see: denim, the Internet, John Hughes flicks), but bathroom design wasn't one of them. Small shower stalls and catty-cornered vanities just don't cut it anymore.?
If a bathroom remodel is in your near future, it's time to start planning for a better bathroom design. These five design insights should steer you in the right direction toward style and function. You can apply a few of these to your bathroom even if the dust has long settled and an extensive remodel isn't in your budget.?
If a bathroom remodel is in your near future, it's time to start planning for a better bathroom design. These five design insights should steer you in the right direction toward style and function. You can apply a few of these to your bathroom even if the dust has long settled and an extensive remodel isn't in your budget.?
1. Use Glass Shower Doors
Glass can transform a closed and cramped bathroom into an open and airy space. Installing glass doors is a trick you can use in small bathrooms to enlarge the space without having to expand the room.?
Cost aside, the biggest con to glass doors is the maintenance. You have to consistently clean them after you shower to avoid streak marks. Find a squeegee you love.
Cost aside, the biggest con to glass doors is the maintenance. You have to consistently clean them after you shower to avoid streak marks. Find a squeegee you love.
To design an open shower space with less maintenance, build pony walls around your shower. Install tile on the short wall and place glass on top. ???
2. Design a Larger Shower Space
Size matters, and the advantages to expansive showers are endless: they?re well-lit, they have more shelf space, and they bring a splash of luxury to your bathroom.?
Photo by Main Floor Photography - www.mainfloorphotography.com
This transitional walk-in shower features both recessed and fixture lighting. It's also equipped with ample shelf space to house toiletries, linens and d?cor.?
3. A Functional Vanity
 Photo courtesy of Wellborn Cabinet. | Don?t feel obligated to fill every nook and cranny with cabinetry. This strategy may make sense for certain designs, but it isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. In fact, a catty-cornered design can crowd your vanity area if the space is small.? A straight, flushed vanity design, on the other hand, can elongate the space it occupies. There?s enough room to wash up comfortably and access toiletries. There isn?t any wasted corner space either.? If you're struggling to find wiggle room in your master bathroom, see if you can eliminate cabinetry that isn't optimizing your space.? |
| Here's an instance where less can mean more. Freestanding vanities are a space saver in powder rooms and modest master bathrooms, although they lack the storage space that full-fledged cabinets have. They give the illusion that there's room to spare (though you and I both know there isn't any).?  |  Photo courtesy of Wellborn Cabinet. |
4. Have a View
Always maximize your view, whether you?re along the coast or in the middle of suburbia. Windows are an efficient use of natural light and open the space up. ?
Plan to place tubs and showers near or below windows. Sunlight is good for the soul and a key component in creating a relaxing bath experience. If privacy is a concern, find sheer shades or window shutters that let the light in but lend some covering.?
5. Let Lighting Set the Mood
Poor bathroom lighting can be a design disaster. Your bathroom shouldn?t feel like a damp, dark cavern. Search for quality vanity lights that adequately illuminate the room. One or two lights generally work well with smaller vanities, while three to four lights are recommended for super-sized spaces.?
You can tuck recessed lighting seamlessly in the corner or into the ceiling, a must-have feature in contemporary and modern designs. This popular lighting style produces a crisp, clean look. ?
If you don?t want to fork over the funds to overhaul your bathroom lighting, purchase a large quality mirror. It?s an effective solution to limited lighting because of its ability to reflect and enhance light.?
