Do you sometimes walk into the bathroom and find that the sink counter is always wet? Have you ever bumped your head on the overhead faucet while enjoying a hot shower? Is a visit at night, kept you awake right after?
Whether it is functionality or aesthetics, don’t compromise on anything – enjoy a flawless bathing experience by following ten essential tips by Seema Puri Mullan and Zarir Mullan, SEZA Architects.

1. Allocate space proportionately: Ensure that the area for the counter, WC and shower cubicle are kept in balance.
2. Check height of fixtures: Make sure that there’s enough space for movement around the WC, even to the left and right, so a person or child can be helped by someone else, if needed. Also place the overhead shower high enough for the comfort of the tallest person, so that your arms don’t hit the faucet while hair washing…allowing you to enjoy the water impact

3. Use soft, low-level lighting for night usage: Placing this under the basin at floor level won’t hit the eyes or cause your sleep to break; it will simply offer the adequate amount of glow needed. Basin mirrors too should have sufficient lighting, as often they are used as dressing mirrors or to shave.
4. Plan all services and ducting: From the water pressure to the pipelines, all services should be thought through and well maintained to have a smooth-functioning bathroom. They need to be accessible, not hidden where not reachable.

5. Select a basin and tap that are compatible: Often the water flow barely hits the rim of the bowl, leaving little to no place for proper hand washing. The water must hit at least 1/3rd into the basin. Getting a basin and tap that function well together resolves this issue. Try Kohler's range of long-bodied spouts – they are very useful.
6. Use accessories that enhance the experience: Fog-free mirrors, excellent exhaust systems including ceiling-mounted exhaust fans, and even toilet cleaner brushes are important additions to a bathroom.

7. Think wisely for shared bathrooms: When designing a single bathroom to be used by people of different ages/requirements, keep the needs of the elderly in mind first. Ensure the WC be fixed to the necessary height needed for senior citizens of the home.
8. Use counters that are long and slim: These not only give the impression of space, especially in smaller bathrooms, but also are both cost-effective and useful to keep toiletries. Pair them with narrow, semi recessed or rectangular basins.

9. What works best for compact bathrooms: Wall-mounted WCs work well as they give an illusion of floating with free space under. Also advised is an appropriately sized basin that won’t overpower the room.
10.Let decor follow design: Always develop a design concept for the space before including the decor items that best cater to your needs.
So, don’t let aesthetics take over from functionality, and think things through according to your room size and layout when building. Ultimately, it’s all about the perfect bathroom experience.

Seema Puri Mullan and Zarir Mullan, Principal Architects, SEZA Architects, Mumbai
“A design should rise and mould itself from the urban fabric while yet etching itself onto it; architecture, landscape and interior design should blend perfectly so as to melt the barriers between inside and outside. Architecture should be timeless so that its interpretation in almost any day or age is the same. This is the philosophy that Seza Architects believes in.”
Website: http://www.seza.in/
Text: Compiled by The Blue Pencil Design Company
Images: Courtesy SEZA Architects
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