Avoiding errors when bathroom planning

Oliver Selner is a thoroughbred tradesman with 20 years of experience in bathroom planning and installation. Since 2022, he has focused on interior design and bathroom planning, and has been explaining to an ever-growing number of followers of his @Stil11_ profile on Instagram how to do things right when planning a bathroom. Here, he answers the most important questions.

Oliver Selner, aka Stil11, bathroom planner and interior designer. — Oliver Selner, aka Stil11, bathroom planner and interior designer

The most important questions for successful bathroom planning:

There are few errors when planning a bathroom, only priorities

Image of a bathroom with a sloped ceiling. — With good planning, the elements that are important to you can fit in even a small bathroom, for example by incorporating enclosed storage space into a modesty wall or installing a seat in the shower.

Optimally planning a bathroom is a complex process. What is possible and expedient always depends on the room and the needs of the people who use it each day. The greatest challenge often lies in incorporating all the desired elements. Clear decisions are required, especially when little space is available. For example, is a bath tub truly indispensable or could a large, walk-in shower offer the same sought-after sense of wellness?

Despite the many things to consider, you can’t really make serious errors when planning a bathroom as long as you determine what’s important to you and make your decisions on that basis.

1. How do you plan a bathroom when renovating or designing from scratch?

“Most people only ever plan a bathroom once or twice in their lives – and that’s a huge challenge if you don’t have specialist knowledge”, says bathroom planner Oliver Selner. “A good bathroom planner’s task lies in determining the client’s priorities. This is done by asking targeted questions during the initial consultation.”

After all, eliciting personal desires and needs and reconciling them with the conditions of the room forms the basis of successful bathroom planning. To make confident decisions about your bathroom, whether with or without a bathroom planner, you must above all be honest with yourself. This enables you to determine, for example, what is more important to you about your bathroom: design or functionality?

The following questions help you create a solid basis for choosing the best bathroom fixtures:

Does achieving a certain look make it worth having to do more cleaning?
Some design decisions ultimately mean a bit more everyday cleaning. For example, a freestanding bath tub that dirt can collect around.
How much storage space do you really need?
A delicate look is popular, but if you want to store large amounts of cosmetics or towels in your bathroom, a sturdy vanity unit might be the better choice.
Does the design work for all of your family members?
When designing your bathroom, think about all of the people who will use it. Do you need to integrate a washing machine into the bathroom or is a double wash basin non-negotiable?

Topics that are often presented online as planning errors are ultimately personal decisions. Does the toilet belong in the bathroom? Do you need the storage space offered by a mirror cabinet? Is a double wash basin essential? Listen to your gut feeling – and don’t be put off by others.

Oliver Selner (@Stil11_), bathroom planner and interior designer.

2. How do I create enough space in my small bathroom?

In small bathrooms in particular, clever planning and your priorities are key. Start by thinking about which elements are indispensable: do you definitely need a bath tub or would a spacious walk-in shower suffice? Does your washing machine need to fit in your bathroom? Do you really need to store towels in the bathroom or can they go elsewhere?

Practical tips for particularly small bathrooms:

Flexible floor plan: if it enables you to make better use of your bathroom, it’s worth breaking a classic interior design rule and overlapping the clearance spaces in front of the toilet and wash basin. A shower with a folding screen also creates extra space when not in use.
Clever storage space: enclosed bathroom furniture keeps the room tidy and creates a sense of calm. Additional storage space can be created by using wall alcoves or installing drawers in a modesty wall.
Custom solutions: if standard furniture doesn’t fit in your bathroom, custom planning is worthwhile – and makes a huge difference, especially in small bathrooms.

If bathrooms are particularly small, clear priorities have to be set. When well planned though, they can still offer plenty of freedom of movement, comfort, convenience and storage space.

Test your plans right away with the hansgrohe 3D Inspirator tool:

Go to the hansgrohe 3D Inspirator tool

A tip for successful planning: determine the position of your water supply and drainage pipes before you get properly started with your planning. Even the best plans are useless if the layout isn’t feasible in practice.

Oliver Selner (@Stil11_), bathroom planner and interior designer.

3. How do I plan a bathroom that is easy to maintain?

Woman performing care routine in a bathroom. — Even custom bathroom designs can be easy to look after: with special wallpaper and space for decorative items.

How easy your bathroom is to clean and how long it looks good depend on both your habits and the materials used: limescale marks show up quicker on glass shower screens than on tiles, meaning you need to clean them more frequently and more carefully.

It’s therefore a matter of character: are you generally pragmatic and don’t want to have to do a lot or are you, and everyone else who lives in your house, conscientious enough to dry the shower mixer after every shower anyway?

When making these design decisions, your habits with regard to cleaning and care are important:

As dirt is always quick to collect around a freestanding bath tub, pay attention to how easily you can clean this area.
Dust and hairs show up more quickly on monochrome tiles than on heavily patterned ones.
Your tap colour: limestone marks show up quicker on matt black taps than on white or bronze ones.
Wood in the bathroom: a counter top wash bowl can be combined with a wooden surface as long as you always wipe away any splashes of water immediately.
Bathrooms can even have parquet flooring if you don’t leave water on it.

If minimising cleaning is more important to you than a specific design, it’s worth switching to other options. For example, customise your bathroom with an eye-catching wall design, e.g. featuring acoustic or printed aluminium composite panels. These are easier to look after.

4. How much does it cost to renovate a bathroom?

The cost of renovating or refurbishing a bathroom depends on your choice of fixtures – and, of course, how much needs to be done. In the case of some fixtures, however, high quality is more important than with others.

When Oliver Selner works with price-conscious customers, he uses the following approach to make their decisions easier:

“Think about the worst consequence of a cheap product breaking. Scratches on a tall cabinet or water damage?”

Warnings are rife on social media about the risks of water damage associated with concealed mixers installed in a wall. The alternative is to install modern exposed taps on the wall. Such taps can be replaced more easily, even if you’re just wanting to upgrade them. In general though, if you choose a good brand, a concealed mixer is also a good choice, and when installed professionally, concerns about water damage are relatively unfounded.

As a layperson, it’s hard to assess the quality of a tap by simply looking at it. This is where my experience as a tradesperson comes in. When planning bathrooms, I only use brands that I’ve had years of good experience with.

Oliver Selner (@Stil11_), bathroom planner and interior designer.

5. How do I prevent mould in my new bathroom?

You invest time and money in a fabulous bathroom, so it should stay looking that way for many years to come! One widespread concern is that of mould. In modern households, this is actually unfounded providing you properly ventilate the bathroom after every shower or bath and sufficiently heat it.

To avoid issues:

Check the exterior walls: are they adequately insulated? In the case of bathrooms with a sloped ceiling, be careful not to damage the vapour barrier, i.e. the sheeting that prevents moisture from getting into the insulation, when installing items in the roof.
Install suitable heating (and use it!): underfloor heating, heated towel rails and infrared heaters will all keep the bathroom warm and dry.
Ventilate regularly and sufficiently: open the window fully. The best option is to ventilate the bathroom transversely with a room opposite it. Once ventilated, the humidity should have dropped back below 60%.

Successful bathroom planning starts with you

To design a bathroom that is functional, enjoyable and simply beautiful, you have to be honest with yourself: analyse your everyday behaviour, consider which elements are truly important to you and set priorities. Pay attention to quality (with regard to materials, fixtures, fittings and implementation) and create a room that will offer lasting joy and perfectly fit your life.

Ready for the next step? Use the hansgrohe 3D Inspirator tool to determine which style suits your bathroom:

Go to the hansgrohe 3D Inspirator tool

Frequently asked questions about bathroom planning errors

What are the most common errors when planning a bathroom?

There are few genuine errors when planning a bathroom – many things depend on personal preferences and the conditions in the room:

Shower partition: glass, masonry or completely open? The decision influences the light, the ambience and the level of cleaning.
Toilet position: integrated into the bathroom or positioned elsewhere? On open view or concealed by a modesty wall? Space, privacy and comfort play a role here.
Taps: the choice between concealed and exposed taps is important with regard to design, maintenance and potential water damage.
Seating: comfortable or dispensable? A small bench or folding solution can offer lots of comfort but takes up room.

Ultimately, carefully considered bathroom planning tailored to your needs and the room itself is always right – as long as you also go for high quality when choosing your bathroom fixtures and with regard to the technical implementation.

What should I consider in terms of technical bathroom planning?

Careful technical planning is essential to ensure that your bathroom not only looks great but is also functional and durable. The following points are important:

Pipes: check what is feasible when renovating. Water supply and drainage pipes are not always easy to move.
Floor-level shower: ensure that the drain is installed deep enough for the water to flow away reliably.
Power sockets: carefully plan the number, position and protection type (e.g. splashproof) to ensure convenience and safety.
Heating and ventilation: underfloor heating, heated towel rails or other heating solutions should be planned in good time. Good ventilation prevents moisture build-up and mould.
Lighting: use functional and atmospheric light sources, e.g. mirror or ceiling lighting suitable for use in damp environments.
Accessibility/convenience: think about having enough room to move around and consider grab bars or seating if desired.
Sealing/moisture protection: when renovating in particular, ensure that the shower and bath tub are correctly sealed to prevent water damage.

Careful technical planning avoids later problems and enables you to create a bathroom that is durable, safe and comfortable.

How do I plan the lighting in my bathroom?

Carefully designed lighting makes your bathroom both functional and atmospheric. We recommend three-fold planning:

Basic lighting: uniformly illuminates the entire room, e.g. via ceiling lamps or built-in spotlights.
Functional lighting: bright, directed light for tasks such as applying make-up or shaving, e.g. mirror lighting or LED strips on the wash basin.
Ambient lighting: atmospheric light for a feel-good atmosphere, e.g. indirect light sources, dimmable lights or LED strips.

Ensure that all lights are suitably protected against moisture (IP rating). The light colour also influences the atmosphere: warm white appears cosy while cold white assists concentration, e.g. when applying make-up or shaving.

How do I make my bathroom fully accessible?

Accessibility affects us all – even a minor injury can make everyday life more difficult. Carefully thought-out measures can make your bathroom safer and more comfortable:

Walk-in shower: a floor-level shower without a threshold provides easier access and minimises the risk of tripping.
Splash protection: ensure the shower has a slight slope so water doesn’t splash out into the rest of the bathroom.
Seating in the shower: a fixed or folding bench is practical. It is not only useful for people with restricted mobility but also for everyday care routines such as shaving or washing.
Retrospective modifications: some modifications to enable complete accessibility are easy to make retrospectively. For example, grab bars are simple to install. Always ensure these are positioned expediently and offer a clear colour contrast for better visibility.

These measures enable you to create a bathroom that is not only safe and practical but that can also flexibly respond to different needs.

How to avoid typical errors when bathroom planning

The most important questions for successful bathroom planning:

There are few errors when planning a bathroom, only priorities

1. How do you plan a bathroom when renovating or designing from scratch?

2. How do I create enough space in my small bathroom?

3. How do I plan a bathroom that is easy to maintain?

4. How much does it cost to renovate a bathroom?

5. How do I prevent mould in my new bathroom?

Successful bathroom planning starts with you

Frequently asked questions about bathroom planning errors

What are the most common errors when planning a bathroom?

What should I consider in terms of technical bathroom planning?

How do I plan the lighting in my bathroom?

How do I make my bathroom fully accessible?

Find bathroom showrooms in your area

How to avoid typical errors when bathroom planning

The most important questions for successful bathroom planning:

There are few errors when planning a bathroom, only priorities

1. How do you plan a bathroom when renovating or designing from scratch?

2. How do I create enough space in my small bathroom?

3. How do I plan a bathroom that is easy to maintain?

4. How much does it cost to renovate a bathroom?

5. How do I prevent mould in my new bathroom?

Successful bathroom planning starts with you

Frequently asked questions about bathroom planning errors

What are the most common errors when planning a bathroom?

What should I consider in terms of technical bathroom planning?

How do I plan the lighting in my bathroom?

How do I make my bathroom fully accessible?

Find bathroom showrooms in your area

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