Diving into Bathroom Design

I’m really excited to have the opportunity to help you choose the perfect bathroom flooring that will make a statement in your space. When it came to designing the master and guest bathrooms in my own home during a recent renovation, I have to admit that I made some quick, and in hindsight, rather thoughtless decisions. Luckily, it all turned out great, but I want to be more intentional in the planning process now that I have a little more knowledge and prior experience under my belt.

Deciding on materials for a bathroom can be a hugely overwhelming task, especially if you’re like me and absolutely adore all the beautiful tile options out there. There are just so many gorgeous, cost-effective choices, and this can easily lead to decision paralysis. So, I thought it would be incredibly helpful to put together a comprehensive guide to walk you through the process of choosing bathroom flooring that will make a statement in your space.

This is based on my own experience and what worked for me, but of course, you may need to tweak things here and there to fit your own unique approach. Regardless, I hope this gives you a solid place to start. And don’t worry, I’m not going to bog you down with boring design rules – I firmly believe in doing what you love rather than sticking to rigid guidelines. Let’s dive in and have some fun!

Gathering Inspiration

The first step in this process is the easiest and most enjoyable part – gathering inspiration. Get yourself on Pinterest, create a dedicated board for bathroom ideas, and start pinning away! Don’t worry about budget or practicality at this stage – just go wild and pin everything that catches your eye.

You can also reach out to your friends, both online and in real life, and ask them to point you towards any bathroom designs they’ve seen that they think you might love. I even had one friend text me a photo from the bathroom of a local coffee shop – talk about unexpected inspiration!

Once you’ve amassed a solid collection of images, start looking for any recurring elements or themes. Try to narrow those down to a few of your absolute favorite statement materials. On my own Pinterest board, my top picks were marble floors, dark hexagon tile, and warm brass and wood accents. [1]

Designing Your Dream Bathroom

With that inspiration under your belt, it’s time to start actually designing your dream bathroom. Now, I know this can feel incredibly overwhelming, but I’ve got a fool-proof process to break it down into manageable steps.

First up, grab a pen and paper (or your digital equivalent) and let’s start planning. Are you keeping any existing elements from your current bathroom, like original tile or a vanity? Have you already purchased something that you want to incorporate into your new design? Make a note of those things.

Now, here’s where the real fun begins. I like to think of this stage as solving a high-stakes Rubik’s cube. Each element of the design needs to work on its own (i.e., you need to genuinely love it) and also in relation to all the other materials you’re considering. It’s a delicate balance, but trust me, there’s a magical moment where everything just clicks into place.

If you’re struggling to make everything fit together seamlessly, here are a few broad guidelines that I follow:
– Opt for neutral, timeless base materials (like tile or countertops) and use pops of color and pattern through accessories
– Make sure the finishes and textures complement each other, rather than compete
– Don’t be afraid to try unexpected combinations – that’s where the real magic happens!

Once you’ve nailed down your design plan on paper, the next step is to create a mood board. This will help you visualize the room and ensure that all your materials work cohesively together. I used Photoshop to put mine together, but there are also plenty of free online tools you can use, like this one. [2]

Bringing It All Together

Okay, so you’ve got your inspiration, your design plan, and your mood board – now it’s time to start sourcing the actual materials. This is where your budget will really come into play, and you may need to make some adjustments to your original vision.

For example, I had originally planned to use marble subway tile, but had to switch it out for a more cost-effective ceramic option because the marble was over our budget. Don’t worry though, you can still incorporate those pricier materials by using them as decorative accents, and sticking to more budget-friendly base materials to keep things on track.

I find that Wayfair is a great resource for sourcing tile samples at a small cost, and their prices are super competitive. It’s also worth visiting stores in person so you can see all the options up close and under one roof.

Be sure to make a detailed shopping list, complete with square footages and total budgets for each item. And don’t forget to run your choices by your contractor (if you’re using one) to make sure there are no issues with the installation. [3]

Making a Statement

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you end up with a bathroom floor that you absolutely love. This is your space, and you’re the one who’s going to be living with it day in and day out. So go with your gut, choose what makes you smile, and don’t be afraid to get a little creative.

Whether you opt for classic subway tile, bold hexagon patterns, or even a custom-designed floor, the key is to make it a true reflection of your unique style. And remember, you can always switch things up down the line if your tastes change. The beauty of design is that it’s an ever-evolving process.

So, what are your thoughts on bathroom flooring? Do you have any personal tips or must-have materials that you swear by? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments below! And if you’re still feeling a little stuck, don’t hesitate to reach out – I’m always happy to lend a helping hand (or a mood board!) [4,5,6,7,8]