How to Design a Denver Bathroom
It’s where we start and end our days. For many of us, it’s where we can escape the hustle and bustle of family life and get a few moments of alone time. Every bathroom designed by my Denver studio has a calming, spa-like quality regardless of how big or small the space is.
The bathroom is one of the most used spaces in the home and needs to be highly durable and functional. When I design a bathroom, I ensure that my Denver clients can perform their daily cleansing rituals in an oasis of calm and elegance. This video showcases how I designed the master bathroom for a recent Denver Designer Showhouse:
A BATHROOM FOR EVERY ROOM
I design a bathroom based on what it will be used for and by how many people. For example, is it a fully functioning master bathroom that is used every day? Is it a guest bathroom that is used occasionally? Is it a kid’s bathroom? Or is it a powder room that should be dressed to impress? These videos showcase a variety of different bathroom styles and types designed by my Denver studio:
MASTER BATHROOM
GUEST BATHROOM
POWDER ROOM
KID’S BATHROOM
SHOWERS & TUBS
It’s a good idea to have at least one tub in your home as it helps during resale. I decide whether to include a tub and an independent shower in the bathroom based on how much space is available and the layout. If a bathroom is small, but my client still wants a shower and tub, I use a combination of a tub that has a shower as well. But, if a bathroom is spacious, I would recommend adding a tub and an independent shower (like the bathroom featured above). As we’re all veering towards a sustainable way of life, I recommend smaller tubs (to save water). For showers, I recommend glass enclosures to give an open, elegant feel.
FLOORING
For bathroom floors, functionality and durability are the top priority. Stain-resistant and water-resistant flooring is the most suitable, long-lasting option. There is a litany of materials to choose from, including natural stone like marble, limestone, or granite if the budget allows. In the bathroom above, I have used two-tone flooring and chose a darker shade for the shower — the contrast looks good, and the darker flooring for the shower is a more durable option as it reduces the appearance of grout lines and stains. Also, keep in mind that Colorado winters beg for heated floors and no one has ever regretted investing in them!
VANITIES, CABINETRY & MIRRORS
There are several things to consider when deciding what kind of vanity a bathroom should have. The most important thing is where the vanity is placed. I choose an area that doesn’t interrupt traffic flow or block the space of a bathroom. What’s more, where the vanity is placed depends on the plumbing. If the vanity placement means the plumbing has to be rerouted, this would require a larger budget. So the placement of the vanity always needs to be made in the context of a client’s budget.
I also pay attention to the functioning of the vanity — is it easy to clean, is there enough space if the doors of the vanity cabinets are open, etc. Vanities are subject to heat, moisture, and water, so when it comes to choosing material for the cabinetry, I prefer materials that can withstand all the above. Even the countertop and sink affect how a vanity is selected, so this is a very technical and important part of bathroom design. The vanities featured in the above images are two very different styles. The floating vanity to the left was for a client who wanted an artistic, custom bathroom, whereas the vanity on the right is used in a powder room. The cabinetry in the powder room is wood as the powder room has less traffic and won’t create as much heat and moisture as a master bathroom.
Mirrors can add aesthetic value to a space, but a bathroom mirror needs to be practical, too. The first thing to consider is size. Most mirrors are placed above the vanity, and the mirror’s size is balanced with the size of the vanity. The shape of the mirror and whether or not it has a frame, etc., is decided based on the design language I use in the rest of the space.
LIGHTING
Like with every other part of the home, the lighting in the bathroom is also layered in three levels — ambient, task, and accent. Ambient lighting creates the mood in the space, task lighting is used for a particular purpose, and accent lights enhance the design and style. In a bathroom, the task lighting is usually the lights found near the vanity mirrors. In the above images, I have used sconces next to the mirrors. In the bathroom on the right, the long sconces are an ideal choice that light the entire face without casting shadows, so they are great for grooming, applying make-up, etc. In the mirror, you can see a reflection of the chandelier that I chose as ambient lighting.
SINKS
There is a wide variety of materials and styles to choose from — undermount, wall-mounted, pedestal, vessel, etc. In the above bathrooms, I used a copper vessel sink on the left and a stone sink on the right. I choose sinks based on the vanity, mirror, and design style of a bathroom.
COMMODES & FIXTURES
Like every other aspect of bathroom design, there is a lot of variety in choosing toilets and fixtures like taps, showerheads, etc, all of which are selected based on utility as much as aesthetic. For example, if there are children or pets involved, I would advise my clients to choose a wall-mounted shower head that can also be detached and be hand-held for functional purposes. If they want a spa-like luxury feel, I would recommend a rain shower head that comes with various water pressures. For the ultimate indulgence, I would recommend a shower system with multiple types of showerheads that reach you from above and aside. Even toilets come with special features like a heated seat, ideal for those cold winter nights, and cleaning sprays for those hard-to-reach areas.
My team and I will be happy to give your bathroom an exciting new look that’s stylish and functional. We even design homes remotely, so our services aren’t restricted to Colorado. The first step is to call our top-rated Denver interior design studio at 720-735-7533. We can then arrange to use FaceTime or Zoom for face-to-face video calls, allowing for a touch-free design and remodeling experience. Feel free to call us with any questions you may have. Together we will live safe, beautiful lives.
Margarita Bravo
Denver’s Best Interior Designer
Margarita is a luxury interior designer and decorator, remodeler, furniture curator, and creator of experiences. Margarita’s unique skill set has evolved from her strong educational background and European and Latin American sources of inspiration. Now with design studios in Denver, Miami, and Montecito.
Margarita
