Modern Bathroom Design Challenge | Part 1

0:00–0:46 Challenge and project criteria

Aaron: Hello, everybody, and welcome to Interactive 3D Home Designs' first design challenge. You can read more at 3DHomeDesigns.com. The goal is to create a primary bathroom as new construction, without an existing-remodel constraint. It needs two vanities, including knee space for makeup; a “car-wash” shower with two showerheads; an enclosed water closet; no more than 300 square feet; and a modern style.

0:46–2:38 Entry and water closet

Visual: The plan is shown from above. Aaron draws the water-closet walls near the bedroom entry, places a toilet and wall cabinet, and changes the door to a pocket door.

Aaron: First I am deciding where the entry from the bedroom should be. We will place it on the left wall so we can reorient the room as needed. I try to put the toilet fairly close to the primary bedroom so it is easy to reach at night. We will use a Kohler Veil toilet, which fits the style, and a wall cabinet above it. I am changing some defaults to suit the modern style. We will use a pocket door and give the room a little extra space. A water closet does not usually need more than about five feet, but this is a larger bathroom, so I will make it slightly larger and use a 32-inch door for comfort.

2:38–5:31 Floating vanity and makeup space

Visual: Cabinets are placed along a wall, raised off the floor, duplicated, and resized. Aaron adds two rectangular sinks, drawers, and an open section with a waterfall counter edge.

Aaron: For a modern style, the vanity cabinets will be wall-mounted with clean lines instead of sitting on the floor. I will set them to 26 inches, keep a flat countertop edge, remove the toe kick, and use a pop-latch door style so hardware is not required. I do not like placing plumbing fixtures against the wall because it leaves the user no space, so I will begin with an 18-inch cabinet as a buffer. We will use a rectangular Kohler Verticyl undermount sink and drawers for more useful storage. The challenge requires knee space, so I will extend the counter, run support below it, and create a waterfall edge. About three feet gives flexibility for a chair or bench.

5:31–8:33 Faucets, height, finishes, backsplash, and mirror

Visual: Faucets appear above the sinks. The vanity is raised, the counter becomes white, the cabinet fronts take on a stained wood finish, a backsplash wraps the wall, and a large mirror is added.

Aaron: I considered two faucet options and will use a widespread counter-mounted faucet. A homeowner could compare both because switching them in the model takes only a few seconds. I forgot the vanity height, so I will raise everything—eight inches; I apologize, I meant ten inches—to create the proper floating height. The counter will be pure white, with stained poplar cabinets for contrast. Poplar takes stain well and provides many options. I like to wrap the backsplash at the side; a six-inch backsplash can hold a horizontal electrical outlet without cutting into the mirror. I will use a slab mirror to make the room feel larger. I am changing the ceiling from ten feet to nine feet. The vanity still needs sconces later, but it is taking shape.

8:33–10:34 Tile and initial shower layout

Visual: The flooring changes to large, light marble-look tile. Aaron switches to a slab door, carries tile up as a base, and extends a wall to form the shower.

Aaron: We will use a Calacatta Gold floor and a slab door to keep the clean look. I prefer using the floor tile as the baseboard in a bathroom because it creates a better transition than a traditional baseboard. Next we need to locate the freestanding soaking tub and car-wash shower. Running the shower along the first wall would offset the entrances, so a better choice is to extend this wall and place the walk-in shower here. The water closet is 3 feet 10 inches wide. The challenge allows up to 300 square feet, and the design is currently only about 210 square feet.

10:34–12:31 Open shower, controls, and benches

Visual: Two open shower entries are created. Aaron places two shower fixtures and controls, then adds small teak benches at opposite corners.

Aaron: Many car-wash showers leave both entries open. We will create an opening at each end so the homeowner can enter from either side. I will add a showerhead on each side and independent thermostatic controls. Removable teak benches will go in the corners rather than built-in benches. At about 24 by 20 inches, each provides enough room without taking over the shower. The shower is roughly five feet deep and four feet across at each end, with a long shared center area.

12:31–13:54 Clerestory window and privacy

Visual: A wide, short window is placed high on the shower wall and resized.

Aaron: I would like natural light in the shower, so I am adding a clerestory window. It will be about five feet wide and 1 foot 6 inches tall, with the header at eight feet. A textured, frosted, or ripple glass can preserve privacy while admitting light.

13:54–15:30 Tub study and close

Visual: Aaron places a Kohler Réve freestanding tub, rotates the view, switches to a top-down plan, and tests spacing between the vanity, tub, and shower.

Aaron: The shower is about ten feet wide, so now I am considering the freestanding tub. I am trying a Kohler Réve tub because its shape fits the modern style. I need to check clearances and how the tub relates to the vanity and shower. From the top view, this first placement feels too tight, so I will pause here and revisit the tub layout in the next part. Thank you for watching Part 1 of the modern bathroom design challenge.