Designing a bathroom is one of those projects where thoughtful planning makes all the difference. The room is usually compact, there are a lot of permanent elements, like tiling, joinery and tapware, and the decisions made early on can have a big impact on how the space feels and functions for years to come.
After designing many bathrooms for our clients over the years, there are a handful of details we consistently prioritise to create spaces that feel calmer, more functional and easier to live with day to day.
In this spotlight, we’re sharing some of the key considerations we return to time and time again when designing bathrooms that feel timeless, practical and beautifully resolved.
Layout: thoughtful planning matters
Wherever possible, we like the first thing you see to be the vanity, a beautiful mirror or a view, rather than the toilet! Even a small tweak to the layout can make a big difference here. Hiding the toilet slightly out of direct sightline doesn’t just look better, it also helps the room feel calmer, more retreat-like, and less purely functional.
A beautiful vanity or tile choice can’t rescue a bathroom that simply doesn’t flow. Thoughtful planning around door swings, circulation space and how the room feels as you walk in will make the space easier and more enjoyable to use for years to come.
Things to consider:
- Avoid the door opening directly onto the toilet if there is another layout option available.
- Ensure there is enough circulation space around showers, vanities and doors so the room feels comfortable and easy to move through.
Storage: plan for more than you think you need
One of the most common pieces of feedback we receive from clients after moving back into their homes is how much they appreciate well-planned bathroom storage. Deep drawers for bulky items, above bench storage for everyday items and plenty of storage to help keep surfaces clear and make daily routines feel smoother.
When we design storage, we think carefully about all the little things that quickly create clutter in a bathroom, from skincare and spare toilet rolls to hair tools and cleaning products, and ensure everything has a practical place to go.
Things to consider:
- A single vanity cupboard is rarely enough storage for a busy household.
- Don’t forget to plan for spare towels, cleaning products and bulk toiletries early in the design process.
Lighting: layer it thoughtfully
Good bathroom lighting is about much more than a single downlight in the centre of the room. Whenever possible, we create a layered lighting scheme with soft overall lighting, practical task lighting at the mirror and softer options for evenings or early mornings.
Wall lights or sconces positioned at face height on either side of the mirror are both flattering and practical, helping to avoid the shadows overhead-only lighting can create. If ceiling height allows, a feature pendant or concealed LED strip can also add warmth and atmosphere.
Things to consider:
- Relying only on harsh overhead lighting can make a bathroom feel flat and clinical.
- Dimmers and softer lighting options can make a significant difference to how the space feels at night.
Materials and ventilation: design for real life
Bathrooms are one of the hardest-working rooms in the home. They are exposed to constant moisture, changing temperatures and heavy daily use, so choosing materials that are durable and easy to maintain is incredibly important.
Tiles with an appropriate slip rating, quality tapware, durable joinery finishes and well-sealed stone or porcelain surfaces will all help your bathroom continue looking beautiful over time.
Just as important is ventilation. An effective exhaust fan and, where possible, operable windows can make a huge difference to condensation and mould prevention. It’s not the most glamorous part of bathroom design, but it’s something you’ll always appreciate once the bathroom is in daily use.
Things to consider:
- Ventilation should never be treated as an afterthought.
- Materials that don’t cope well with moisture can quickly become difficult to maintain.
The details that elevate everyday routines
Some of the features clients appreciate most are the details that may have initially felt like “nice-to-haves” during planning. Heated towel rails, underfloor heating, a generous mirror, a well-positioned shower niche or a small shower bench can all make everyday routines feel more comfortable and enjoyable.
We also pay close attention to practical details like where towels will hang, where hairdryers can be plugged in and how easily storage can be accessed from the shower or bath. These details are rarely the focus in photographs, but they’re often what make a bathroom feel intuitive and thoughtfully considered in daily life.
Things to consider:
- Small functional details can have a big impact on how enjoyable the space feels to use.
- Planning practical items like towel hooks and power points early helps avoid awkward compromises later.
Trends: use them lightly
Bathrooms are expensive and disruptive to renovate, so we think carefully about where and how strongly to embrace trends. A timeless base palette paired with touches of personality through lighting, mirrors, joinery profiles or accessories will generally feel more enduring over time.
That doesn’t mean your bathroom has to feel overly safe or all-white. It’s about balancing timeless choices with touches of personality that still feel true to you and your home.
Things to consider:
- Highly trend-driven tiles or finishes can date more quickly than expected.
- It’s important to design a bathroom you genuinely connect with, rather than choosing purely based on what’s popular online.
Bringing it all together
The bathrooms we love most, and the ones our clients tell us they enjoy living with the most, are rarely the ones with the boldest tiles or the most expensive fittings. They’re the rooms where the layout flows, storage works hard in the background, lighting feels soft and flattering, and the details quietly support everyday routines.
If you’re planning a bathroom renovation and feeling unsure where to start, a little thoughtful guidance early in the process can help create a space that feels calm, functional and beautifully resolved for years to come.
If you’d like support refining your layout, selections or overall bathroom direction, our Design Review Sessions and tailored interior design services are designed to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
As always, if you are looking for some design support then we would love to chat. You can book a complimentary 20min Discovery Call by simply clicking here.
Anna x