Designing Perfect Bathroom Suites

There are bathrooms and then there are big-enough-to-live-in rooms! When the latter is the desired choice, careful consideration should go into designing bathroom suites to ensure they meet the needs and desires of those who will use them.

When the opportunity to create one of these from the ground up is presented, it can really be a fun challenge. The idea for many is to strike a nice balance between functionality and beauty. When the right things are considered, this can certainly be accomplished.

If custom created bathroom suites are being considered for a new home design or a remodel, there are many things to take into account. Some of the top concerns include:

* Amount of space available. Deciding how big or how small to make the suite will help dictate every other consideration. Be realistic here. You probably don't want a bathroom that's bigger than the living room, but then again you might!

* Number of separate rooms. This will partially be a function of how much space is being dedicated to the suite itself, but it can make a very big difference in the design. Some bathroom suites are like mini-apartments. Others are a little more down to earth.

Possibilities here include separate chambers for the commode, dressing area, closet space, shower and even the tub. Smaller designs might only include a vanity/sink area and a separate chamber for bathing and toileting.

* Type of fixtures desired. This can make or break the designs of bathroom suites. Consider the overall theme that's desired for the rooms and choose fixtures accordingly. A tiny suite with a huge garden or whirlpool tub likely won't look all that great. So make sure the space available is considered, as well.

* Closet space. In medium to large bathroom suites, closet space is generally included in the mix. If this will be worked into the design, decisions will need to be made about the layout. Some suites include his and hers closets to go along with his and hers kinds. Others offer only one large walk in or two separate panel closets.

* Vanity area. This can be one of the most important considerations that goes into creating the ideal suite. For many, the mirror, sink and corresponding counter is where they spend a great deal of their bathroom time.

Carefully consider the configuration for this and take into account such things as how many people will be using the suite and what their personal tastes are. His and hers sinks, for example, might sound like a great idea to some. Others see this design as presenting twice the cleaning work!

* Accents desired. Again, space will be a consideration here, but when there's enough, accent features in the architectural scheme can really add to these suites. For example, Greek pillars surrounding a freestanding tub can add a regal flavor that's hard to deny. A giant window in the vanity area that overlooks a serene garden might be another option.

Creating bathroom suites can be a huge challenge. When a careful balance between beauty and function is struck with the right size considerations taken into account, these useful rooms can become the favorite of any house.