Renovating Your Bathroom: 6 Steps to Designing a Thoughtful and Soothing Space

Text: Marie Charles Pelletier

When it comes to bathroom renovations, it’s essential to think about how your bathroom makes you feel.

Beyond its utilitarian purpose, the bathroom is ultimately a place of rejuvenation, calm, and balance. It’s often the first room we enter in the morning and the last room we leave at night.

Designing it as a space where you can relax, unwind, enjoy solitude, and embrace your routines is an investment in daily well-being that promotes physical and mental health.

When it comes to bathroom design and layout, there is a growing trend for comfort, simplicity, and functionality. Cozy atmospheres, durable and noble materials, enveloping shapes, and a strong connection with nature are all elements that can transform the bathroom into a refuge—or a small spa at home.

In this guide, we share 6 essential steps recommended by our designers to help you create a bathroom that’s timeless, practical, and focused on wellness.

1. Define Your Bathroom Renovation Goals

Start by clearly identifying what you want to achieve. Are you aiming for better ergonomics in your bathroom? A more relaxing atmosphere? Smarter storage solutions? Then, prioritize your needs in order of importance.

This simple but crucial step will guide all your decisions, from layout to style to materials choices, and keep the project aligned from start to finish.  When you face tough choices, revisit your list to avoid straying from your vision.

2. Set a Realistic Budget for Your Bathroom

Bathroom renovations often involve unexpected costs, depending on the complexity of the project and the age of the house. Establish a realistic budget, to which you should add a margin of 15 to 20%.

Also, keep in mind that about 30 to 50% of your total budget should be spent on durable, high-quality materials. The choice of materials not only ensures the longevity but also contribute to a timeless aesthetic.

3. Create a Mood Board for Your Bathroom Design

Before you start buying anything, spend time gathering inspiration. Create a mood board with pieces and images of textures and materials that catch your eye and resonate with you.

This vision becomes your aesthetic compass that will guide your choices.  Rather than searching for a single project that brings together everything you like, look for recurring themes in colours, textures, and shapes.

If you naturally gravitate toward the same earthy tones, natural materials, or clean lines, you’ll know which style best suits your tastes. Taking the time to establish a clear vision will help you create a harmonious and cohesive bathroom where every detail works together.

4. Bath, Shower, or Both?

Ah, the eternal question!  A classic design dilemma. Your decision should reflect both your lifestyle and the space available.

If you have children or love long soaks after a long day, a bathtub is a must. Ideally, install it near a window where the view of trees, natural light, and the sound of the wind can create a feeling of closeness to nature and promote relaxation.

In a small bathroom, a well-designed shower-bath combo can be an elegant, practical solution—especially when using minimalist glass partitions and high-end finishes.

If you live alone or as a couple and you don’t have the space or need for a bathtub, then a walk-in shower adds a modern and refined touch. Glass walls increase natural light and open up the room.

Ultimately, the right choice is the one that best suits how you will use your bathroom daily. In any bathroom, function and comfort should always go hand in hand.

*Tip: In urban or family neighbourhoods, having at least one bathtub can increase your home’s resale appeal.

5. Design Your Bathroom with Nature in Mind

Blurring the boundary between indoors and outdoors has a direct impact on our well-being. It’s been proven that exposure to natural light and the integration of biophilic elements in our homes has positive effects on our mood and energy levels. Designer David Krickeberg recently highlighted this in Architectural Digest:

“There is a real desire to bring nature indoors, prioritizing natural light, softer lines, and colors, materials, and finishes inspired by nature.”

In the bathroom, this approach translates to natural light, open views to the outside, and the integration of organic shapes and materials, which reinforce the feeling of connection with the environment.

According to spatial psychology, it’s also advisable to visually separate functional areas—such as the toilet or sink—from areas dedicated to relaxation—such as the bathtub or shower—for better emotional regulation and a feeling of well-being that extends throughout the room.

6. Choose Sustainable and Functional Elements

Sink: Choose built-in models for easy maintenance, but also for the elegance they naturally bring to the room.

Faucets: Choose durable materials such as brushed brass, stainless steel, or polished silver, which will stand the test of time and trends without fading.

Vanity: Look for a vanity that combines solid wood—such as ash or oak—with a natural stone countertop.

This combination reinforces the connection to nature while adding a sophisticated touch to the room. In small spaces, consider a single sink to free up more counter space and visually lighten the overall look.

A Bathroom That Evolves with You

Renovating your bathroom in Quebec is more than just a technical project, it’s a personal process that reflects your lifestyle and contributes to your long-term well-being. By following these 6 steps, you can begin to imagine a space that not only meets your current needs but can grow with you over time.

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