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A House Beautiful report says the first priority in a bathroom renovation should be its layout and day-to-day function, according to interior designers it interviewed. The designers recommend settling how the room will be used—and where key fixtures and storage belong—before choosing finishes or optional upgrades.
Bathroom layout and function should be the first priorities in a renovation, according to designers interviewed by House Beautiful, who say the floor plan shapes later decisions about fixtures, storage and finishes. Their advice is to resolve problems such as awkward circulation or inadequate counter space before selecting tile or countertops.
Janelle Patton, principal designer and owner of Lark Interiors, told the magazine that the team starts with the layout when it is not working. She said rethinking a floor plan can make room for a larger shower, better storage or a more functional vanity, and may reveal ways to use wasted space.
Nureed Saeed, founder and creative director of Nu Interiors, also emphasized functionality and flow. Her planning questions include whether the toilet area can be made more private and whether the shower can be enlarged. Patton said designers settle the room’s functional needs before choosing decorative details because those decisions follow from the layout.
The designers also identified the vanity and shower as important areas to evaluate. Kelly Collier-Clark, founder and principal designer of House of Clark Interiors, said the vanity supports frequent activities such as handwashing and getting ready, as well as storage. She said a smaller bathroom may benefit from updating its lighting and mirror rather than replacing the whole vanity. If the budget allows, Collier-Clark would prioritize the shower because its plumbing and tile affect both use and appearance.
How the Floor Plan Shapes Daily Use
Starting with function can help homeowners address persistent problems before committing money to finishes that cannot solve them. A more workable plan may improve storage, privacy, counter space and movement through the room, while also determining what sizes of shower and vanity will fit.
The advice is relevant because bathroom projects involve linked decisions: moving fixtures or changing the shower can affect plumbing, tile and available space. The designers’ point is not that every renovation requires major construction, but that homeowners should identify how they use the room and what is failing before choosing upgrades. A modest mirror or lighting refresh may be more suitable than a full vanity replacement in a compact room.
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Designers Put Function Before Finishes
The recommendations come from a House Beautiful report asking designers which bathroom feature or improvement they advise clients to address first. The article presents professional guidance, not a building code, market study or assessment of a particular renovation project.
After the layout and functional basics are settled, Saeed said designers can incorporate client preferences such as steam showers, jetted tubs, heated bidet seats and other wellness or comfort features. The report frames those additions as later choices to combine with the room’s practical needs, rather than substitutes for a functional plan.
“Function first—always.”
— Janelle Patton, principal designer and owner of Lark Interiors
Advice, Not a Universal Renovation Rule
The report does not establish one renovation sequence that will suit every home. Its recommendations are designers’ professional opinions, and the best first project may depend on the room’s existing condition, the homeowner’s priorities and the available budget.
It does not provide project costs, construction timelines, measurements or technical assessments of plumbing and building conditions. Collier-Clark’s preference for renovating the shower is explicitly conditional on budget; the article does not say that every homeowner should replace a shower or relocate fixtures.
Set Priorities Before Choosing Finishes
For homeowners planning a renovation, the immediate next step suggested by the designers is to identify what is not working: for example, a cramped vanity, poor storage, an awkward toilet location or an undersized shower. They recommend using that list to guide a floor-plan review and determine which changes are feasible before settling on finishes or optional comfort features.
The House Beautiful report does not announce a specific project or future milestone. Decisions about whether to refresh an existing fixture or make a larger change remain with each homeowner and their design team, based on the room and budget.
Key Questions
What should be addressed first in a bathroom renovation?
The designers quoted by House Beautiful recommend starting with the layout and function, including how fixtures, storage and circulation serve everyday use.
Should I choose tile before planning the bathroom layout?
The designers say to settle the floor plan and functional needs before choosing tile or countertops, since finish choices come after the room’s use and fixture placement are planned.
Which bathroom fixture did one designer recommend prioritizing?
Kelly Collier-Clark said she would recommend renovating the shower if the budget permits, citing the effect of its plumbing and tile on both function and appearance. That is her conditional recommendation, not a rule for every project.
Does a small bathroom always need a new vanity?
No. Collier-Clark said a smaller bathroom’s vanity area might benefit from updating its lighting and mirror instead of replacing the vanity.
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