Good day!
The bathroom is the most heavily used room in our home. After about 25 years, a complete renovation is necessary. Despite regular dry wiping, the grout has been a persistent issue. The silicone sealants have been replaced every few years, but now even the hard grout is deteriorating. Besides that, the late 1990s style is no longer what we want today.
How would you approach the planning? It’s not just about technical matters but especially about design considerations. We recently visited a bathroom showroom at a large supplier nearby. Of course, their focus is mainly on bathtubs, showers, toilets, and washbasins. The staff there said that the plumber would take measurements, then she would transfer those to a 3D drawing and plan the bathroom. She was very surprised that I found this approach too technical. I actually need someone who comes to our home to get a feel for us, the house, and the room. I could literally see the lack of understanding on her face when I said I wanted to talk mainly about surfaces—ideally seamless surfaces—to minimize maintenance units, especially in the wet areas.
How should one approach something like this? For example, are there freelance interior designers in Berlin who specialize in bathroom design? I don’t mean a “bath planner” based in a large supplier’s showroom who creates 3D sketches. That could be the next step, but at first, I need someone on site.
It’s also a question of how much of the existing structure should be removed—whether, for example, the screed should be taken out, and so on.
In the end, I want to find the right tradespeople to carry out the work, from installation to applying the surfaces.
Matthias welcomes all good ideas on how to proceed!
The bathroom is the most heavily used room in our home. After about 25 years, a complete renovation is necessary. Despite regular dry wiping, the grout has been a persistent issue. The silicone sealants have been replaced every few years, but now even the hard grout is deteriorating. Besides that, the late 1990s style is no longer what we want today.
How would you approach the planning? It’s not just about technical matters but especially about design considerations. We recently visited a bathroom showroom at a large supplier nearby. Of course, their focus is mainly on bathtubs, showers, toilets, and washbasins. The staff there said that the plumber would take measurements, then she would transfer those to a 3D drawing and plan the bathroom. She was very surprised that I found this approach too technical. I actually need someone who comes to our home to get a feel for us, the house, and the room. I could literally see the lack of understanding on her face when I said I wanted to talk mainly about surfaces—ideally seamless surfaces—to minimize maintenance units, especially in the wet areas.
How should one approach something like this? For example, are there freelance interior designers in Berlin who specialize in bathroom design? I don’t mean a “bath planner” based in a large supplier’s showroom who creates 3D sketches. That could be the next step, but at first, I need someone on site.
It’s also a question of how much of the existing structure should be removed—whether, for example, the screed should be taken out, and so on.
In the end, I want to find the right tradespeople to carry out the work, from installation to applying the surfaces.
Matthias welcomes all good ideas on how to proceed!
A specialization solely in bathrooms seems somewhat niche to me, but there’s nothing that doesn’t exist. Especially in Berlin, this is definitely a possibility. Unfortunately, I can’t help you with specific recommendations. However, I would suggest contacting various interior designers and asking them for sample plans as well as photos of completed projects.
Last year, after 25 years, we renovated our bathroom and I can briefly share how we approached it:
From the start, it was clear to us that the positions of the furniture and fixtures should stay the same. So, the main goal was to completely renew everything and to have recessed ceiling lights installed. We contacted the plumbing company that also handles our heating. The owner came by, discussed the plan with us briefly, and gave some tips, for example regarding tile sizes and what to consider when choosing the bathtub, shower, etc. At the bathroom showroom, we selected everything. The plumbing company had previously sent the measurements there to ensure everything fits later on. We chose the tiles from one of the tile suppliers the plumbing company works with.
What you were told is basically correct. First, a detailed measurement must be taken, and you can discuss ideas right away. If you are renewing the pipes, the screed floor will of course also need to be removed. But the bathroom showroom isn’t involved in that; you should get advice from a plumber and heating engineer. With their experience, they can likely advise you on whether a seamless bathroom or large tiles (meaning fewer grout lines) would actually look good. You can then discuss the details with the tiler.
Our process in brief:
In the showroom, we partially selected two options for some items (for example, a rain shower or just a handheld shower), two bathtub models, and so on. So, from the offer, we chose the desired options and finally placed the order.
How large is your bathroom and what is your budget? Our bathroom is about 6m² (65 sq ft) and the renovation cost around 25k. We didn’t choose the cheapest materials, though. You should definitely discuss your budget with the plumbing company, because some things might be off the table right away ;-)
We didn’t want to coordinate the trades ourselves, so we had everything handled and coordinated by one plumbing company. That worked really well, there was no downtime, and we are very happy with the result.
From the start, it was clear to us that the positions of the furniture and fixtures should stay the same. So, the main goal was to completely renew everything and to have recessed ceiling lights installed. We contacted the plumbing company that also handles our heating. The owner came by, discussed the plan with us briefly, and gave some tips, for example regarding tile sizes and what to consider when choosing the bathtub, shower, etc. At the bathroom showroom, we selected everything. The plumbing company had previously sent the measurements there to ensure everything fits later on. We chose the tiles from one of the tile suppliers the plumbing company works with.
What you were told is basically correct. First, a detailed measurement must be taken, and you can discuss ideas right away. If you are renewing the pipes, the screed floor will of course also need to be removed. But the bathroom showroom isn’t involved in that; you should get advice from a plumber and heating engineer. With their experience, they can likely advise you on whether a seamless bathroom or large tiles (meaning fewer grout lines) would actually look good. You can then discuss the details with the tiler.
Our process in brief:
- Visit from the plumbing company for measurements and discussion of our ideas
- Visit to the bathroom showroom
- Visit to the tiler
- Received offer from the plumbing company
In the showroom, we partially selected two options for some items (for example, a rain shower or just a handheld shower), two bathtub models, and so on. So, from the offer, we chose the desired options and finally placed the order.
How large is your bathroom and what is your budget? Our bathroom is about 6m² (65 sq ft) and the renovation cost around 25k. We didn’t choose the cheapest materials, though. You should definitely discuss your budget with the plumbing company, because some things might be off the table right away ;-)
We didn’t want to coordinate the trades ourselves, so we had everything handled and coordinated by one plumbing company. That worked really well, there was no downtime, and we are very happy with the result.
The staff member who will later create the 3D design is certainly doing this professionally and not for the first time. I would expect a level of expertise—more than what an interior designer usually has (technical aspects and so on). Architects, whether interior architects or those who simply call themselves home designers, can be risky when it comes to the amount of money involved.
After all, this is not a matchmaking service where you have to thoroughly evaluate the homeowner and bathroom user first. Why not simply plan what you actually like? Technical details and ideas will naturally emerge during the planning process.
After all, this is not a matchmaking service where you have to thoroughly evaluate the homeowner and bathroom user first. Why not simply plan what you actually like? Technical details and ideas will naturally emerge during the planning process.
ypg schrieb:
I would assume competenceI'm glad for you that you seem to have had a good experience there. I have been to several bathroom studios, and I encountered a level of concentrated incompetence and lack of motivation that I have never seen in any other trade.Pacmansh schrieb:
I encountered such concentrated incompetence and lack of motivation. However, incompetence and lack of motivation cannot be inferred here.
Pianist schrieb:
She means the plumber takes measurements, she then transfers these into a 3D drawing, and plans the bathroom accordingly. On the contrary: not every plumbing specialist store works like that. It’s great if someone offers 3D planning there.
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