12 important questions for bathroom design

Questions to ask before designing a bathroom
Designing a bathroom is an alchemy of aesthetics, functionality, and technique. As a professional, you know that each project is unique and requires thorough consideration in advance. To avoid unpleasant surprises and ensure your client's satisfaction, it's essential to ask the right questions at the beginning of the design process.
Is this a complete creation or a renovation of an existing bathroom?
This question helps guide the entire design and clarifies the nature of the work, whether it's a new build or a renovation. A complete bathroom creation offers more freedom in layout and technical choices, while a renovation involves working with existing constraints. Knowing whether you're starting from scratch or with a pre-existing structure allows you to adapt your approach and propose suitable solutions. The challenges, costs, and timelines vary depending on the type of project. For instance, a renovation may require reinforcing floors or modifying plumbing, while a new build allows for designing the bathroom from A to Z.
What is the number of users and their specific needs?
An architect or designer must consider the number of users and their specific needs. Answering this question is crucial to designing a bathroom that suits the lifestyle and needs of the home's occupants. For example, a family bathroom with young children requires different fixtures and layouts than one intended for a single occupant. In this case, it’s advisable to include storage accessible to children and impact-resistant finishes. The number of users also influences the choice of a single or double sink for added practicality.
What are the users' living habits?
The actual needs of the users guide the bathroom design. Each individual's hygiene habits directly influence the choice of fixtures. For instance, someone who regularly takes baths may need a spacious bathtub, while a user who prefers showers will choose a functional shower stall. This information also helps optimize the space layout. A large walk-in shower requires a space different from a standard bathtub. The living habits of the home's occupants can also impact the choice of materials. A wall covering that's easy to clean is more suitable for a family with children than a single person.

How many bathrooms are needed in the home?
A professional always seeks as much information as possible to best adjust the design, layout, and budget based on the use of each bathroom while optimizing circulation and ergonomics within the home. Asking about the desired number of bathrooms in the house allows for a better understanding of the expected space distribution. For example, a master suite often requires a private bathroom with high-end fixtures, like a spacious shower or a bathtub, designed for comfort and intimacy. Conversely, a family bathroom should be more functional and capable of meeting the needs of multiple people at once, with solutions like optimized storage spaces.
What is the size of the room?
Knowing the size of the bathroom provides crucial information to identify the potential of the space and guide the choice of layouts. The possibilities differ depending on whether you have a 3-square-meter bathroom or an 8-square-meter one. When space is limited, the professional must prioritize compact solutions and optimize every corner, while a more extensive area offers greater freedom for layout and equipment choices. The size of the bathroom can also influence other vital elements, such as the duration of the work and especially the overall renovation budget due to the amount of materials and equipment needed.
Shower or bathtub?
Choosing between a bathtub and a shower is also important, as the answer can impact the layout, budget, materials, and plumbing. The choice between these two options depends on users' preferences and their habits. A shower is often preferred for its practicality, space-saving features, and accessibility, especially for the elderly or those with reduced mobility. On the other hand, a bathtub offers a more relaxing and luxurious aspect. Also, consider the room's dimensions: a shower is often more appropriate in a limited space, while a large bathroom combines both options.
In the case of a shower, which type should you choose?
Many shower models are available on the market: walk-in, cabin, with a flat shower base, etc. Each has its characteristics and is suited to different configurations. As an experienced professional, you can guide your clients toward the model best suited to their needs and bathroom layout. A walk-in shower gives the illusion of space even in a limited area, while a shower cabin can offer more privacy and features. This type of question allows you to propose a tailored solution for the bathroom users.

How do you arrange the various elements for smooth circulation?
Fluid circulation is essential in a bathroom, so optimizing the space is crucial, especially for small areas. To design a bathroom that is both functional and pleasant to live in, it is not enough to place elements randomly in the room. You must consider the optimal layout that allows easy movement between different zones, such as storage, shower, bathtub, and sink. A well-thought-out plan before the work begins enables smooth circulation and avoids wasted space or hard-to-access areas.
What storage solutions to integrate?
This question helps you understand users' aesthetic preferences and practical needs regarding bathroom storage. Based on the responses received, you can propose personalized solutions that integrate harmoniously into the space and the room's overall style. Your manufacturer, Vanico-Maronyx, offers a variety of customizable products in terms of styles, configurations, materials, and colors, allowing you to create a unique bathroom with both stylish and functional elements.
What type of door should you choose for potential space-saving?
The choice of door directly impacts optimizing space in a bathroom. A traditional swinging door can quickly become cumbersome, especially in small rooms. A sliding or folding door can save valuable centimetres by avoiding inward openings. The type of door chosen can also influence the room's overall aesthetic. A glass door, for example, brings in light and gives a sense of space. The various options allow you to make an appropriate decision and propose a solution that fits the home's occupants' spatial constraints and aesthetic preferences.
Which wall and floor coverings should you choose based on the desired aesthetic and room constraints?
Reconciling users' tastes with technical requirements is one of the tasks awaiting designers and architects. While the choice of coverings is crucial for a bathroom's aesthetics, it must also meet various specific constraints. The material's resistance to humidity, water splashes, wear, or cleaning products are all factors you must consider when choosing suitable coverings. This way, you can propose solutions that combine design and functionality while respecting the bathroom's technical constraints.

According to the budget and users' preferences, what materials are used for sanitary equipment?
When designing a bathroom, a professional also seeks to offer personalized solutions that align with the tastes and financial constraints of the project. Vanico-Maronyx provides sanitary equipment made from various materials, such as quartz or PureSolid, each with its aesthetic characteristics and cost. By knowing users' preferences for materials like melamine, wood, or lacquer and considering their budget, you can guide them toward the best choice. This personalized approach allows the creation of a bathroom that meets individual expectations while respecting clients' budgetary constraints.
Conclusion
Refine the design of a bathroom through the answers to these various questions. They can cover the state of affairs and needs analysis, technical and spatial constraints, the design of a functional and aesthetic layout, the choice of sanitary equipment, space optimization, and material and finish selection. Explore the solutions from Vanico-Maronyx for inspiration and to design a bathroom project.