42 Bathroom Design Questions to Avoid Daily Frustration

Last week, I wrote about the 45 question you need to ask (and need to KNOW to ask) to achieve the kitchen design that’s perfect for you.

This week, I want to focus on the other most essential room of your home…the bathroom.

If your bathroom design doesn’t achieve exactly what you need it to, it will actively disrupt your morning routine, ruin your relaxation, and become an endless source of frustration.

Do you have places to hang your towels where you want them, when you use them? Do you have to dance around someone else when sharing the bathroom due to an awkward sink placement? Do your cabinets hold every product and store them where it’s easiest to grab them when needed?

Bathrooms have to be as usable as they are visually alluring. The wrong bathroom design can make you feel cramped, disorganized, or even unsafe. That’s why you need to ask the right questions before making any bathroom remodel decisions.

The Signature team asks our clients these questions for a reason…because the answers make ALL the difference!!

Storage & Daily Routine Questions

A primary bathroom works with your routine, not against it.

Get into the design details of your perfect bathroom by asking these questions specific to storage…

• Where do you put your towel when you step out of the shower? If it’s across the room, you probably wish it wasn’t!!
• Do you need more than one outlet at the vanity? If you use a hair dryer, an electric razor, and a toothbrush, the answer is YES.
• Do you want your key toiletries visible, or do you prefer hidden storage? Open shelving can look great…but it can also be a disaster!!
• Where do you set down makeup, hair tools, or toiletries? Counter space needs to match your daily routine.
• If you wear glasses or contacts, do you have a safe, dry place to set them? A recessed shelf or a dedicated drawer can make a HUGE difference.
• Do you have space for multiple people to get ready at the same time? Double sinks? A wide counter? Strategic mirror placement? His-and-hers water closets?!
• Do you need a linen closet inside the bathroom? If towels are in another room, that can be a total drag.
• Where will you store backup toiletries and cleaning supplies? Don’t assume they’ll just “find a spot” later…OR that they don’t need a spot since they aren’t in your daily rotation!!
• Do you need different lighting settings (like to get ready in front of a vanity versus taking a shower)? Bright, cool lighting spaced EVENLY around a vanity is only right lighting for applying makeup or shaving, while softer, warm lighting is easier on the eyes for everything else.
• What’s currently the most awkward to store in your cabinets? If you have a collection of curlers and blow dryers that are unceremoniously throw into a drawer, or you need to organize medications or care items, custom dividers and right-sized custom cabinetry is the way to go.

Accessibility & Ergonomics Questions

A bathroom should fit your height, movement, and feeling of comfort.

And these are the questions to ask to get those details right!!

• How high do you want your vanity? Standard heights don’t work for everyone, so this is a question to ask if you’re super tall or short!
• Do you want a curbless (zero-entry) shower? This is sometimes considered a must-have for aging in place, but it isn’t the only safe shower option. Decide now whether you love the look or not.
• Will you ever need to sit in the shower? A built-in bench is a game-changer for both comfort and safety.
• Are you prone to slipping? Heated floors dry faster, which reduces slip risk, so that’s not just a “for fun” luxe installment…it might be part of your optimal bathroom design. Then, of course, there are PLENTY of new no-slip tile options to choose from!!
• Would you benefit from grab bars (even if they don’t look like grab bars)? Today’s designs are discreet, stylish, and smart for long-term usability.
• Do you need extra ventilation? If your mirror fogs up EVERY time you shower, your fan isn’t strong enough.
• What type of door style suits your needs (including long-term needs)? If you plan on staying in your home for more than five years, consider accessibility questions like wider door clearance to accommodate a wheelchair or walker. Pocket doors save even more space.
• How deep and high should your vanity and cabinetry be for your comfort? If you struggle with bending down or are less than an Olympic lifter, deep low cabinets can be a hassle. Pull-out drawers and lift-up storage will make access much easier!!

Shower & Bath Questions

The shower and tub area can be the most relaxing—or the most frustrating—part of your bathroom.

It all depends if you ask yourself these questions first.

• How do you feel about glass shower doors? These are beautiful, but they show everything—and I don’t mean looking in at you!! Instead, think about water spots, soap scum, streaks…is that something you’re OK keeping clean?
• Do you take more showers or baths? Prioritize the space accordingly!
• Do you want a handheld showerhead? Is a handheld your preferred option for cleaning the tub or washing pets? A handheld sprayer will be an essential.
• Do you ever wish your water heated up faster?! A recirculating pump can eliminate waiting time…
• Where will you keep your shampoo, razors, and soap? Built-in niches are a MUST if you don’t want the clutter.
• Do you want a deep soaking tub? If yes, make sure the tub you select fits your frame…a too-short tub won’t be comfortable.
• Do you prefer a rain showerhead or a wall-mounted one? Or multiple shower heads for the “car wash” effect?! The experience is totally different!!
• Would you love the shower temperature, pressure, etc. to be perfect every time you step in? This is EASY now with savable settings on touch-screen shower controls!! If you have multiple shower heads, you can program which ones you want and at what temperature and pressure…then click “save” under a profile just for you.

Cleaning & Maintenance Questions

Your bathroom will get wet, humid, and messy. Choose materials based on their cleanability…

…And know which questions to ask yourself to get the design “just right.”

• Do you hate scrubbing grout? Larger tiles or slab materials mean fewer grout lines to clean. (What an “ah-ha” idea!!)
• Do you want self-cleaning toilet technology? Yes, it’s a thing, and worth considering. Just like the “smart” bidet toilets I rave about all the time…
• Are you okay with water splashes on the mirror? If not, consider a deeper sink to minimize splash back.
• How do you feel about matte vs. glossy finishes? Matte hides fingerprints better, but glossy is easier to wipe clean.
• Do you prefer a toilet with a concealed trapway? No dust-catching nooks makes cleaning easier.
• Is your ventilation strong enough to prevent moisture buildup? Do you need a time or humidity sensor for better air quality? Poor ventilation is what leads to mold and mildew…so a proper exhaust system is part of that perfect bathroom design.

Lighting & Visibility Questions

Bad lighting makes EVERYTHING harder…shaving, makeup, even just waking up properly!

Ask yourself these questions in conjunction with the questions above, because lighting requirements turn up everywhere…it’s about accessibility, comfort, safety, storage, and more.

• Do you want soft, dimmable lighting for nighttime or early morning? Blinding lights at three o’clock in the morning are NOT fun.
• Do you apply makeup or shave in the bathroom? The answer is “yes” for almost everyone, but ask yourself how you feel your current lighting makes you look while you go about it. Do you see what you’re doing without distracting shadows?
• Do you want a backlit mirror? These are ABUNDANT in the design world now, so you have plenty of selections to choose from. Install one of these, and they eliminate shadows and add a spa-like glow.
• Do you need a skylight or window for more natural light? Some bathrooms feel like caves without it!!

Unexpected Lifestyle Considerations

Some of these details might surprise you, but once you experience them, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.

Ask yourself these final bathroom design questions…

• Where do you charge your electric toothbrush or razor? And do you ever plug your phone in while you’re in the bathroom?! A built-in outlet inside a drawer keeps cords off the counter.
• Do you (or would you) use built-in speakers? Music, podcasts, or white noise can make your morning routine sooo much better.
• Do you ever wish your toilet seat was warm?! Don’t be embarrassed! Heated seats sound like a luxury…until you try one in winter.
• Will you need a bidet or a bidet attachment? Some love them, others don’t, but it’s good to decide now.
• Where will you keep your phone while showering? A water-resistant ledge keeps it within reach (but safe from water).
• Do you ever take calls or record voice memos in the bathroom? If so, soundproofing might be worth considering, too.

Designs worth dreaming about…

You step out of the shower onto a warm floor, grab a towel from a hook comfortably within arm’s reach, and walk to your fog-free mirror illuminated with clear, natural lighting. Your toiletries are exactly where you need them, and your favorite music plays from discreet speakers. Your bathroom feels like a sanctuary—just like it should.

That’s just the start of what a well-designed bathroom can be.

Are you ready to create one that works for you?! Inquire with the team now!!

About the author:

Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for nearly three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.

In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. At the start of 2025, she then acted as one of Dallas Market’s “Style Eyes” at Lightovation and Total Home & Gift Market.

Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.

In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.