Ultimate Bathroom Design Must Haves

December 26, 2024

Is a bathroom remodel on your agenda for 2025? Whether you plan to update your master bath design, hall bathroom, or powder room, a bathroom update is an opportunity to include the features you always wanted.

A thoughtfully planned bath design will not only fulfill your functional needs but also create a stylish space where you can relax, get ready for a night out, or get inspired at the start of your work day. A well-designed bathroom also adds value to a home, both in terms of your daily enjoyment of your space and your home’s market value.

So what do you need in a new bathroom design? In this blog, we will explore the must-haves for today’s bathrooms and offer inspiration for your 2025 bath remodeling plans. From luxury showers to efficient storage solutions, let’s get started on creating your ideal bathroom!

Step 1: Find the Perfect Layout

The first step in designing any space in your home is to examine your available space, look at your needs, and determine the ideal layout for your design. The layout is the foundation of every room in your home, which incorporates your storage needs, workspace, and flow of traffic through your room. Your layout must accommodate key fixtures, such as the toilet, sink, and tub/shower, and allow for sufficient clearance around these items.

Consider if your existing bathroom footprint is sufficient for your needs. If not, can you expand your bath design? This could be accomplished in a number of ways, including moving or removing a wall to incorporate an adjacent space or even moving your bathroom to a new location.

Once you have determined your bath design’s size and shape, you can decide on the fixtures you want to include and their location. Your fixtures will also depend on the type of bathroom you are remodeling and your personal preferences. A full bathroom will typically include a vanity, sink, toilet, and a tub and/or shower, while a half bath excludes the tub/shower. Your bathroom design expert will help you understand the space requirements for each of these fixtures, including the clearance required around each item.

Step 2: Include Efficient Storage Solutions

Maintaining an organized space is key to a bath design that meets your needs. A thoughtful design lets you incorporate storage throughout your space exactly where you need it. With customized storage accessories, every item can be neatly stowed and ready to use.  This lets you maintain a clutter-free room that is efficient, safe to navigate, and aesthetically pleasing.

Key storage features include:

• Vanity storage with customized accessories like pull-outs, drawer organizers, built-in outlets and charging stations,
• Open storage with floating shelves and cubbies, and
• Recessed storage like niches in the shower and recessed medicine cabinets.

Include a combination of storage solutions that are catered to your needs and the users of the bathroom design. A busy kids’ bathroom or master bath design shared by more than one person requires more storage space than a guest bath or powder room, for example. In a bathroom you use regularly, plan for enough closed storage so that your room remains clutter-free. Limit open storage to a few items you use regularly or for displaying decorative accessories.

Step 3: Create a Spa-Like Atmosphere

Spa-style bathroom designs are a popular choice for bath remodels, and best of all, it is easy to incorporate spa elements into any new bathroom design. Go for a soothing color scheme, an organized and clutter-free space, and fixtures that promote a relaxing environment.

Spa-style color schemes can vary and your selection should rely on which tones you find soothing. Some people prefer a clean, white bathroom, while others go for soft, muted tones like greens and blues or natural wood hues.

Fixtures that create a spa-style vibe for your bath design can vary according to your available space and your personal preferences. If you have the room, include both a stylish freestanding soaking tub and a spacious shower. Equip your shower with a rainfall showerhead, massaging shower panel, or steam shower to promote relaxation.

Include soothing surfaces like textured tile floors or wood paneling to create a pleasing atmosphere for all the senses. Pay close attention to your bathroom lighting design, and incorporate dimmer switches or smart lighting controls that let you control light levels to set the mood for your space. Add accessories like plants, diffusers, and candles, that give your bathroom the ultimate spa vibe.

Step 4: Include Premium Fixtures and Materials

Investing in high-quality fixtures elevates your bathroom design’s look and durability. By installing the best fixtures that fit within your budget, you will have a bathroom that enhances your lifestyle and lasts for years. There are several key elements that most bathrooms require, including:

• A quality vanity cabinet made with durable materials and construction techniques that also includes customized storage accessories,
• Durable countertops in a material like quartz with a range of stylish surfaces that are also easy to maintain,
• Stylish tile designs that are hard wearing and easy to keep clean,
• Metallic fixtures like hardware, faucets, and lighting that accent your design, and
• Statement pieces like a vessel sink, furniture-style vanity, or designer faucet give your bath design a truly customized appearance.

When you visit our full-service Gainesville design showroom you will find all the products you need in one convenient location. This means you don’t have to search online and drive to multiple locations while planning your remodel. It also allows you to see and feel product samples firsthand and view them together to create a cohesive design.

Step 5: Integrate Smart Technology

Technology features in every aspect of modern life and your bathroom design is no exception. Smart technology in a bathroom adds convenience and luxury with simple additions to key features like lighting, faucets, shower systems, and more.

Smart mirrors or mirrored medicine cabinets are a top choice for today’s bath designs. They can incorporate built-in lighting, Bluetooth connectivity, defogging, and even multi-media displays.

Programmable shower systems let you create and save settings for your preferred water temperature and pressure. You can control your shower from a wall-mounted control, a remote, voice controls, or an app on your phone. This gives you ultimate control over your shower experience and lets you step into the perfect shower every time. Faucets containing smart features, such as touchless faucets, are a top choice, particularly when designing for small children or for aging in place.

Include smart lighting and an integrated sound system in your bathroom design plans for the ultimate luxurious touch. This lets you go from applying makeup in the morning to winding down with a soak in the tub, with the perfect lighting for each occasion as simple as tapping an option on your smart device. With an integrated sound system, you can play your favorite music, audiobooks, or podcasts while you spend time relaxing in your stunning bathroom design!

Step 6: Personalize Your Design with Details

Details allow you to customize your bathroom design and create a unique space that brings out your style. This transforms your design from a purely functional space to one that fits your home’s style, your personality, and your unique lifestyle.

Start by choosing a color palette and an aesthetic for your bath design. Then select items such as towels, bathmats, artwork, and storage containers that fit your room’s style. Add eye-catching features like a custom tile pattern, textured wall tile, or statement light fixtures. Even unique faucets or cabinet hardware can become a stylish focal point when chosen in a unique material or shape.

Finish off your design with decorative accessories that add a personal touch to your design. This could be as simple as a fun photograph or piece of artwork to hang on the wall. It could also include practical items such as a mirrored tray that keeps items organized on your countertop while doing double duty as an accessory.

Step 7: Design for Your Needs

When designing any space in your home, make sure you carefully consider your needs and goals for your remodeling project. In addition to looking at which bathroom you are remodeling, think about who will be using the bathroom and how often. Consider also how long you plan to remain in your home and what the anticipated lifespan will be for this bathroom remodel.

What will your family look like during that time period and what will the users of this bathroom design need? For example, your requirements will differ greatly when you have young kids and a growing family vs. when designing for aging in place. Here are a few ideas for designing a bathroom that fits your personal needs:

• A young, growing family designing a family bathroom may want to incorporate easy-to-use faucets, a combination tub/shower that makes it easy to bathe small children, and plenty of storage.
• A master bath in your forever home should include features you love and that fit your preferences, whether that is a freestanding tub, a luxury shower, or a makeup vanity. Be sure to incorporate ample storage and lighting to fit a busy bathroom used by more than one person.
• Designing for aging in place is ideal if you plan to stay in your home as you age. Or go for universal design principles that suit all ages and abilities. Features such as a walk-in shower, non-slip flooring, grab bars that are functional and stylish, wider doorways, and accessible storage keep you safe and enhance your lifestyle.

Start Planning Your Perfect Bathroom Design!

Designing a bathroom for your home is an opportunity to create a space that fits your style and enhances your daily life. A carefully planned bathroom that prioritizes your “must haves” results in a design you will love. Start with an efficient layout and storage, include premium fixtures and smart technology integration, and add personality to your design with accessories and thoughtfully selected details.

Are you ready to take the next step in creating the bathroom you always wanted? Contact our experienced team or drop by our Gainesville showroom to get started. We will help you bring your bath design vision to life!