Be wary of these bathroom mistakes

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Here are 10 major design errors that should be avoided when designing the bathroom

Pooja Khanna Tyagi

Planning to renovate your bathroom? Find out how to avoid the most common mistakes that are made with the bathroom layout, bathroom lighting, selection of materials, finishes and more…

Poor lighting

· Do not go for a basic lighting design which only includes ceiling lights above the shower and vanity area. This type of lighting looks very bright, creates a shadow effect when one looks into the mirror and fails to infuse a relaxed ambience within the bathroom.

· Go for a layered lighting scheme, which includes overhead lights on the ceiling, installation of bracket lights on either side of the mirror or a mirror light just above the mirror for the purpose of grooming. Consider LED strip lighting for a relaxed ambience — this can be incorporated behind the mirrors or within niches, etc.

Bathroom without a wet and dry zone

· Make sure that the bathroom layout incorporates a separate wet and dry zone so that the bathroom is dry throughout the day and is easy to maintain. The wet zone is demarcated with a shower area while the dry zone incorporates the countertop and the W.C. or commode.

· The wet zone can be easily segregated with a shower cubicle, glass partition, shower curtain, bathtub and so on.

No provision for storage

· The bathroom will give a cluttered look if there is no provision for proper storage of bathroom essentials like toiletries, towels, soap etc. Go for a combination of closed storage within the mirror closet or below the countertop and open storage within shelves and niches.

Inadequate ventilation

· It is essential to install an exhaust fan to prevent dampness and to ventilate out the fowl odours from the bathroom so that the space feels fresh throughout the day. Keep in mind that the bathroom forms the moisture-laden area of the home and good ventilation will prevent the growth of mould and mildew.

· Bring in adequate natural light through a window so that the bathroom feels more open, comfortable and freshens up the space with good air circulation.

Inadequate spacing between the sanitaryware

· The minimum spacing required for areas like the countertop, W.C. and shower area can range between 33-36 inches — anything less than this width makes the bathroom feel claustrophobic and uncomfortable to use.

Choosing wrong materials

· Go for anti-skid textured ceramic and porcelain tiles or natural stone materials for the flooring that prevent slipping when the floor is wet. Also, consider only matte finish tiles for the flooring; glossy finish tiles are a strict NO as these tiles become slippery when the floor is wet.

· Buy the sanitaryware and sanitary fixtures from reputed brands which can give good after-sales service and a good warranty period.

· Match the finishes of the faucets, knobs, handles, lighting fixtures and accessories so that they co-ordinate with each other. The various finishes available in the market includestandard brushed and polished finishes of chrome, nickel, SS (stainless steel), bronze and brass.

No slope in shower area

This is one of the most drastic mistakes that can happen in the design of the bathroom. It is important to provide an adequate slope within the flooring of bathroom to ensure successful drainage of water that prevents water clogging.

Leakage in bathroom pipes

Most bathrooms are designed with concealed PVC pipelines. Since the pipe joints are prone to leakages therefore it is important to properly seal these joints so that there are no gaps at the joints or bends in the pipes.

Wrong paint finish on wall and ceiling

Bathrooms are exposed to a lot of moisture and humidity so make it a point to select a semi-gloss or waterproof paint for the non-tiled surface and the ceiling. Such water-resistant paint finishes have high resistance to fungal growth.

Improper grouting

Improper grouting and an inferior quality of workmanship can ruin the overall look of the bathroom therefore it is important to commission the work to a reputed contractor who can ensure good quality of work. Consider epoxy grouting because it is highly durable, stain-resistant, waterproof and can withstand harsh cleaning.

The writer is a Delhi-based practicing architect and interior designer