Do you own an older house or condo, or are you looking to buy an older property? Then you have probably already thought about the bathroom. For example, because your living style has changed, you do more sport and therefore prefer to shower rather than bathe, or because the appliances and installations are more than 20 years old. According to the lifespan table, sanitary installations last 20 to 40 years, sanitary appliances 20 to 50 years. So there are more than enough good reasons for a new bathroom. We have compiled the most important tips for sensible bathroom planning for you.
Take as much time as you need for bathroom planning, and sleep on it once too often rather than once too little. On the one hand, you want to feel comfortable in your new bathroom for 15 to 20 years or even longer, and on the other hand, bathroom renovation costs a relatively large amount of money. The smaller the bathroom, the more important the bathroom planning.
Who needs the new bathroom? A bathroom for two adults must meet different needs than a bathroom for a family of five. And if older people or people with disabilities use the bathroom, you should also think about accessibility (shower, furniture, toilet, access) when planning the bathroom.
Obtain the floor plan (on paper or electronically) or draw it and check all the measurements. This way you can see how much space you have, whether there is enough room for a rainforest shower or whether you want to knock down a wall and turn the bathroom and bedroom into an open room.
What does your dream bathroom look like? Write down what is important to you. For example, a double washbasin with no-frills fittings and lots of storage space, a space-saving corner bathtub with bubble jets or moisture-loving plants hanging from the ceiling like in a rainforest.
Once you know the needs, spatial possibilities and wishes, you should get inspiration for bathroom planning. Browse through magazines, browse on Pinterest, visit manufacturers' bathroom exhibitions or design your dream bathroom virtually with the free 3D bathroom planner from Habitects. Document what you like and think about what is feasible for you.
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For many, this is almost a question of faith. If you have little space, a shower is obvious. If there is enough space for a bathtub, but you also like to shower, combine shower and bathtub. And if you have plenty of space, treat yourself to both. Preferences can change. A bathtub made of steel and enamel is durable and robust, easy to clean and resistant to scratches.
Opt for a level floor with a non-slip surface in the shower. This looks better and is safer. Especially for older people or people with a handicap.
Of course, a toilet must fit in the bathroom. But it is even more important that it is easy to clean. A toilet without a flush rim is easier to clean than one with one. A toilet that hangs on the wall is easier to clean than one on the floor, because dirt does not get trapped in the grooves between the toilet and the floor.
Choose a washbasin made of sanitary ceramics or steel and enamel. The surfaces stay immaculately beautiful because they are hygienic, neutral to drinking water and resistant. With a large washbasin, you have more storage space. Complement the washbasin with a matching vanity unit and, if necessary, a mirror cabinet to store bathroom articles, towelling and hygiene products.
Mit den Plättli, wie die Fliesen in der Schweiz heissen, verändern Sie den Charakter Ihres Badezimmers nachhaltig. Setzen Sie bei der Badplanung lieber auf zeitlose Farben und Materialien statt auf farbenfrohe Fliesen, die Ihnen in ein paar Jahren verleiden und den Marktwert des Hauses oder der Wohnung negativ beeinflussen können.
If your bathroom has windows, you should mainly use daylight. If not and a bathroom wall is an exterior wall, it would be worth considering breaking through the wall and installing a window. For artificial light, indirect light is better, for example spotlights recessed into the ceiling.
The light at the washing area should illuminate your face without shadows. Glare-free LED light strips or luminaires are suitable for this purpose, for example.
The bathroom should be suitable for everyday use, functional and homely. Furnish your bathroom like an oasis of calm. For example, with cotton, wood or linen, coordinated textiles, soft colours and, if available, plenty of daylight. Place furniture in the bathroom if you have space. For example, a bench that also serves as storage space. There are now even parquet floors that are suitable for the bathroom. Plants that can cope with low light, high temperatures and a lot of humidity will also make your bathroom more homely in no time. These include monocots, nest ferns and orchids.
If your bathroom has no window, you need a ventilation system for air exchange. Opt for a low-noise electric fan with a timer or, better, with a hygrometer circuit. It measures the humidity and switches the fan on only until the humid air has been removed.
For bathroom planning, it makes sense to hire an interior designer or a bath experts with bathroom planner from your region. The bathroom planner or interior designer plans your new bathroom, draws all the floor plans and blueprints, recommends sanitary appliances and installations and advises you on the choice of colours, materials and products. A sanitary with bathroom planner carries out the complete renovation, an interior designer usually works together with a sanitary. Professional support costs money, of course, but a professional relieves you of the burden and, thanks to his experience as well as his technical and product knowledge, avoids mistakes that could cost you more money.
For a few months now, there has been a smart and free alternative for bathroom planning. Habitects, a start-up from Winterthur, has developed a digital process that allows you to renovate your bathroom in three steps: You design the bathroom online with intelligent algorithms, plan the implementation with your personal interior designer and commission a certified sanitary company with the bathroom renovation. Most of these companies are also partners in the Houzy network.
At the heart of Habitects is the digital design tool, for which you do not need to register. You design your bathroom with the online planner in a simple and guided process. You can define
The smart design tool then develops individual proposals with a matching mood board. Once you have decided on a variant, you select the fittings and receive product suggestions with a guide price estimate. In this way, you can put together your dream bathroom in just ten minutes. Only now do you have to register and you can immediately make an appointment with your interior designer, who will present your new bathroom to you with a 3D visualisation. As soon as you agree with his proposal and have approved the visualisations, the dossier will be sent to the plumber with a detailed work folder. You don't have to worry about anything.
In collaboration with Habitects
Siroon Hirzel, Michel Bürki
Habitects AG
