Function
How will this space be used? Ask a few obvious questions. And as your client answers them you will find out about more than just how they want to use this room. You’ll learn about their lifestyle, their needs and their wants.
Find out how the bathroom will be used. Who will use this bathroom? How many at one time? Who gets up first? Is their a need for privacy? Does one partner get up earlier and let the other sleep? Does the room require better than normal soundproofing? Do the water closets (toilets) need to be separated? Is there a need for door(s) on the water closet(s)?
Here are the six steps in a bathroom design process:
- Space - what space is available for this bathroom?
- Function - how is this bathroom going to be used?
- Budget - how much do they plan to invest in this bathroom?
- Layout - what is the best use of the available space?
- Product selection - within the defined budget, what products fulfill the function of the bathroom, fit their lifestyle and their budget?
- Building the bath - what process will be used to build this design?
More questions you should ask: Are the kids going to use this room? How old are they? Would you say they are neat or a bit scattered? (Take a guess). Is a tub a necessity in this room? Will a person need to dress in this room? Should a walk-in closet be attached to this room? If so, who will use the WIC the most? Is accessibility a primary concern? Are there any special needs that should be addressed?
The design begins – As you get the answers to some of these questions, you are beginning the design. As many designs as I have done, the customer has always been very involved; usually to the point that they are designing the bathroom themselves. You are guiding, gathering all the pieces and placing everything is the best position, and creating the look and feel.
The design is for their benefit, so always let the client have a lot of input, and don’t impose your own signature design style. Your job is to make sure that the design is feasible, on budget, functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Next Bathroom Design article - Budget - how much do they plan to invest in this bathroom?
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www.RemodelerBiz.com is published by Randall S Soules, a 37 year construction veteran. The intent of this web site is to help builders, remodelers and those in the trades, create a rewarding career and lifestyle. At Remodeler Biz you’ll find helpful articles on niches, marketing, graphic standards and the design-then-build field.
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This is great advise. Thank you. I, too think that the customer really does “know” what they want, it is just our jobs to help them to realize that.