Professional tips and tricks to designing a bathroom that not only meets your needs functionally, but aesthetically as well.

1. Presented by
Cathy Briskorn & The Master Builders Association
Master Builders Association, NKBA, Remodeler Council of MBA

2. Design it for……
The Way You Live
or Want to Live
 Who uses the bathroom?
 How is it used?
 How would you like to use it?

3. Before: Extremely large tub in master bathroom and the
clients never took baths

4. My Office
After remodel: Large spa shower with two shower heads

5. Turned tub to make ample space for shower
Tub has luxurious bubble technology and heated back

6. Before: Client took baths and used her shower for storage

7. After remodel: She loves her wet room so much that she now
uses the shower frequently

8. These clients removed the tub entirely to create an extra-large
master shower

9. Back-to-back vanities so no need to share countertop space

10. A vanity
designed for
small grandkids
with space for a
step stool

11. Find Right Floor Plan
 Make a priority list
 Write down the room measurements on a blank piece of
paper
 Note where the existing plumbing is
 Remember that walls can be removed or opened up

12. After remodel: Floor plan with a much larger shower
and tub turned 90 degrees
Before After

13. Include linen cabinet
and entry to closet in
bathroom
Before After

14. We pushed out the wall
to create more space in
the bathroom
Before After

15. Steal space from other areas whenever possible
Before After

16. Before: Bathroom included a big
tub, a small shower, and a
separate toilet room

17. After remodel:
• Removed water closet
walls
• Used frameless glass
in expanded shower
• Hid toilet with small
pony wall
• Used smaller tub

18. Create the Illusion
of Space

19. Striped floor tile laid
perpendicular to walls helps
create an illusion of width
across a narrow entryway
Before After

20. Horizontal tile design helps
create the illusion of height

21. • Painting the walls and ceiling the same color minimizes odd
soffits that couldn’t be removed
• A monochromatic color scheme creates an illusion of space

22. My Office
Before: Small floor tiles
make a room feel smaller

23. After remodel: Larger tiles
set diagonally make the
room feel larger

24. Light It Up
 Natural Light
 General Lighting
 Task Lighting
 Ambient Lighting

25. Maximize natural light with large, semi-opaque windows

26. Allow natural light in with skylights and high windows

27. This bright shower used
to be an unfinished
storage space!

28. Enhance light with reflective glass and other materials

29. • Improve general lighting with
ample recessed cans and task
lighting over vanity
• Use dimmers
Use
dimmers

30. Use frameless
glass for showers

31. Be creative with your light fixtures

32. My Office
Add rope light or LED tape at
toe kick

33. Create adequate task lighting
with recessed can lights under a
soffit, or decorative light fixtures
over mirrors

34. Maximize Storage

35. • Divide sink cabinets with matching storage cabinetry
• Include drawers under sink

36. Tall counter cabinets
provide extra storage even
in a small powder room

37. Linen cabinet with rolled
towels

38. Open area with
floating glass
shelves
Before After

39. Window seat provides storage and has a matching hamper

40. • Laundry chute leads to
laundry room that was
moved downstairs
• Tall, narrow cabinet
provides extra storage

41. Cabinetry helps hide toilet
for privacy

42. Make it Work for
Everyone
 Universal design for aging in place
 From young children to older adults
 Ensure a safe environment

43. My OfficeHand shower with slide bar
is adjustable for any height

44. My Office
Single lever handles are easier to
grasp

45. My Office
Grab bars are becoming more decorative and multi-functional

46. My OfficeShower seats are helpful for
those with balance issues

47. My Off
Shower seat with control on side

48. Curbless shower
Walk-in tub

49. Save Water and
Energy

50. Did you know?
 Your bathroom uses 75% of the water in your home
 Traditional toilets use 3.5 gallons of water - 1/3 of the water
used in your home
 A dual-flush toilet can cut water use by 67%

51. Dual-flush toilet:
• Uses 1.28-1.6 gallons of water
for full flush
• Uses only .8 gallons for a light
flush
Low-flow toilet:
• Uses as little as 1 gallon per
flush

52. WaterSense products:
• Look for labeled
products that meet
EPA specifications
for water efficiency
and performance
Energy Star light
fixtures:
• LED bulbs
have improved
greatly

53. Reduce Maintenance
 Epoxy grout
 Solid surface countertop
 Undermount sink
 One-piece skirted toilet
 Non-stick coated toilet
 Tiled base molding

54. Quartz is popular for many
reasons:
• It’s easy to clean
• It doesn’t require sealing
• It’s naturally anti-
microbial
• It comes in a wide variety
of colors and styles

55. More easy-clean
features:
• One-piece sink
and counter
• Floating vanity
• Skirted toilet

56. Add Spa Features

57. Multiple shower sprays

58. Overhead rain
showers

59. Heated floors
with thermostat
control

60. Luxurious tubs with bubble technology, heated backs,
music therapy, aromatherapy, chromatherapy, and other
high-tech features

61. Science of water and sound
VibrAcoustic® Hydrotherapy

62. Chromatherapy: Colors that soothe

63. Include a Few Extras
 Technological advances
 Unique style
 Personalized touches

64. Mirrors withTVs and LED back-lighting

65. Medicine cabinets like this one from Robern provide
outlets with a mirrored back and a lift up feature

66. Bidets
Washlets:
cleansing spray
with dryer and
heated seat

67. Ultimate toilet: NumiToilet by Kohler
• Motion activated seat
• Built-in bidet
• Air dryer
• Deodorizer
• Heated seat
• Illuminated panels
• Foot warmer
• Music player

68. Unique sink or other personalized elements

69. Make the space your own

70. Accessorize with candles, towels, art and more

71. •TheWayThatYou Live – orWant to Live
•The Right Floor Plan
•The Illusion of Space
• Lighting
• Storage
• Universal Design
•Water and Energy Savings
• Low Maintenance
• Spa Features
•Technology and Extras

72. Come back this Saturday at 11:30 a.m. forWendy
Albee’s presentation on designing your dream
kitchen

73. Thank you!