10 mistakes to avoid when designing bathrooms

Factors like orientation and location are strategic when designing a bathroom for new construction. These should not be overlooked, as they significantly impact the space's comfort and efficiency.

An east-facing orientation is ideal for a bathroom because it takes advantage of natural morning light, which is a critical time for using the room. An east-facing bathroom benefits from the first rays of the sun, creating a more lively and hygienic atmosphere. This morning light is also great for mental well-being and energy savings. Additionally, it makes sense to place the bathroom near bedrooms for daily convenience.

Conversely, a north- or south-facing bathroom will naturally be darker, making the space less welcoming and daily tasks less pleasant for its occupants.

In homes with a bathroom close to living areas like bedrooms, noise can disturb rest, relaxation, or daily activities. Effective soundproofing is essential to reduce these potential disruptions.The bathroom is also the most private space in a home. Poor acoustic insulation can allow unwanted sounds to leak into other rooms, compromising the users' discretion and privacy.

Noise from outside can also significantly interfere with the bathroom experience. Good soundproofing is, therefore, vital to preserving the room's tranquillity while improving the occupants' quality of life. It also helps with thermal insulation and can increase the property's overall value. Ignoring bathroom soundproofing risks compromising comfort, especially in homes near noisy environments.

Proper water drainage planning is crucial when designing a functional and long-lasting bathroom. Placing drains on a load-bearing wall or near crucial structural elements like beams can make installation difficult and expensive. It’s essential to consider the bathroom's structure when planning sanitary fixtures' placement and drainage.

Incorrectly placed drains can limit your bathroom layout options. For instance, a misplaced drain might prevent you from installing the shower or sink of your choice. Improperly sized or connected pipes can also create unpleasant noises during water drainage, disturbing the peace for users and other occupants.

Creating a detailed bathroom plan before the construction phase is critical, specifying the precise location of each fixture and drainage point. High-quality pipes and fittings are essential for perfect sealing and durability. The pipe diameter should be appropriate for each fixture's water flow. Water drains should also be installed with a sufficient slope to ensure optimal drainage and prevent stagnation.

Successful bathroom layouts must cater to their users' specific needs and habits. Ignoring users' routines and preferences during the design process can result in a space that doesn’t meet their daily needs, reducing functionality and comfort.Each occupant has different bathroom habits. Some prefer showers, while others favour baths. A layout tailored to these preferences makes the space more user-friendly. Analyzing real user needs can help you identify and optimize necessary storage solutions. For example, a couple using many beauty products will need more storage space (as in our Neolito collection) than one person.

Bumping into furniture, contorting to access the shower, or feeling cramped in your bathroom are frustrating experiences. Adhering to traffic flow standards ensures optimal comfort for all users, regardless of their body type. Neglecting these requirements during the design process can turn a functional space into an uncomfortable and impractical one for daily use. A layout that respects these standards ensures smooth movement, optimal comfort, and increased user safety. For example, according to the Building Code, a bathroom door must be at least 86 centimetres (34 inches) wide for safe and fluid movement.

Considering users' size and specific needs during the design phase allows for proper adjustments in installing fixtures, such as sinks, mirrors, and showers, ensuring optimal comfort. A study of user habits should be conducted beforehand, exploring how they interact with various bathroom elements. By listing the different users and their physical characteristics, you can better understand which fixtures to install. Work with a specialized manufacturer to produce custom equipment. At Vanico-Maronyx, bathroom furniture is designed to meet the specific needs of each user. For example, they can be installed at different heights to meet individual requirements.

Glare or an unpleasant backlighting effect can occur when a bathroom mirror is directly exposed to sunlight. This uncomfortable situation becomes bothersome when using the mirror for grooming tasks such as makeup or shaving. To avoid this issue, placing the mirror on a wall perpendicular to the window is recommended so that natural light illuminates the face from the side rather than the front. It is also advised to complement natural light with an artificial lighting system in the bathroom.