Ease of Use

Function should be at the top of your list when decorating your bathroom. No matter how pretty the tile is or how well you applied the design elements and principles, if the space doesn’t serve your needs then you’ve just wasted your time and money. So you may be wondering, how can you make your washroom functional, without compromising on aesthetics? How do you get it right and what should you avoid when thinking of remodeling your bath? Efficiency is just as important as comfort. Use these tips to plan a functional and beautiful bathroom.

Define the Purpose of the Room

Most rooms have multiple purposes but more than likely your bath has one overriding function such as a one or two person early morning pit stop on the way out the door or perhaps it serves as a lavish home spa to relax in…. The take away here is you mustn’t get caught up in the “pretty spur of the moment fads that come and go with the seasons” and lose sight of the rooms major function as you develop your plan for the décor. Not to mention a functional bathroom should be a well-planned space anyway that is easy to clean whether it is for the early morning rush or for a private prolonged soak.

Put in what is Essential

You need to look at each and every element in your bathroom and how it interacts with the available space. Would a shower be more practical than a tub if no one takes a bath? Do any of your fixtures take up more space than necessary? In order to maximize a small grooming area, there are a few things you could do to help such as reducing clutter. For instance you can replace your vanity with a pedestal or corner sink. Even that big old water guzzling toilet can be switched out with a more sleek and modern water saving model.

Think of who will be using the Space

Is this a private spa or central grand station that everyone will be using every day? For example if it is a guest bath you might be more concerned about how the room looks rather than maintenance, which is fine. However, you should pick materials that fulfill your desire to impress your guest while still being as easy to clean as possible. Looking at the project in terms of usage gives you a framework in which to make the décor as functional as possible.

Choosing the Furnishings

The more versatile a piece of furniture is, the better it can be utilized in the space. For instance, freestanding storage units allow you to move them around as your needs and taste change over time. Another thing to consider when choosing bathroom furniture and fixtures is durability. In the bath safety and moisture is always an issue so the sturdiest possible furnishings, fabrics and other slip resistant surface materials should be selected when decorating the room.

Beauty Versus Purpose

A well-designed space brings these two elements together and illicits great feelings. With so many choices on the market these days the home remodeler does not have to limit their fixtures to bland boring furnishings. Just because functionality is a priority doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful as well, the two can still go hand in hand. Manufacturers today produce quality crafted, and beautifully designed bathroom faucets, drains, and shower systems that are not only gorgeous but you know you can depend on them to be both practical and add beauty to the space as well.

Using the Principles of Design

A general understanding and use of the elements and principles of design is what ultimately will make or break a room, not a person who tries to create a beautiful interior by a happy accident. Ask any seasoned interior designer and they will tell you function should always come before form. Combining practicability and visual harmony is possible and not so difficult to achieve if you ask yourself as you plan if each element is necessary and how its helping you use the facility? Once this has been worked out then you can add the “prettying touches” to create warmth and comfort, with style and luxury in mind.

 

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