7 Unforgettable Commercial Bathroom Design Trends
No matter how much effort you put into creating a business that people trust and think well of, if the bathroom isn’t up to snuff, all those good impressions go right out the window.
The bathroom is a reflection of your business and how you interact with your customers. What do you want your bathroom to say about you?
Here are 7 unforgettable commercial bathroom design trends you simply can’t do without.
1. Touchless Fixtures
Ever since COVID came on the scene, we’ve all been much more aware of cleanliness and how we interact with one another. Creating a touchless experience in the bathroom keeps things more sanitary and more comfortable for your guests.
Be sure to include touchless faucets, soap dispensers, towel dispensers, etc. in your design. Self-flushing toilets are excellent too. Though not common, stall door locks that can be opened and closed with an elbow or a foot further enhance the sanitary environment.
Place paper towel dispensers and garbage cans near the door so it can be opened with the towel then disposed of. New designs for self-opening doors are on the horizon and feature hand-wave, touchless functionality.
2. Increased Privacy
Creating privacy in a public restroom is always a quandary. If you expect high occupancy the issue is multiplied. To give your guests a little more privacy, use stall walls that extend all the way to the floor. Or if you can get away with only a few stalls, build them out as separate little rooms within your bathroom for ultimate privacy.
White noise or music in the bathroom can also help create privacy. Adding panels to cover gaps and sightlines in stalls also helps increase privacy. Be generous with separators between urinals as well. Designing the bathroom with larger stalls not only gives more physical space, but also creates more of a barrier between restroom-goers.
Even the materials used in the bathroom design can help give privacy a boost. Though easier to keep clean, hard surfaces also create echoes, which make the public restroom seem much less private. Softer materials absorb noise as well as, creating a more comforting environment.
3. Concrete Sinks
One of the hottest trends in commercial bathroom design is concrete sinks. These can be made in one integrated piece, which means no seams to maintain or clean.
Not only is concrete convenient, it’s stylish. Opt for a multi-station trough sink for a modern look and functionality. Gray may feel too casual for you but that's no problem. Concrete can be made in any color to suit your design. They can be wall mounted or free standing, making it easy to install in otherwise difficult situations.
The customizability of concrete extends beyond looks and reaches into accessibility. These sinks are ADA compliant by nature. Collaborating on a concrete sink with your contractor allows you to get exactly what you want and need for both functionality and stylistically.
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4. Stellar Quality
A bathroom that looks and functions on a high level demands respect. Be sure you don’t skimp on your design or materials. Seek out quality in your commercial bathroom design that reflects your level of care for your customers and your business.
Be aware that you have guests who value the choices you make as a business owner. It matters to them that you choose quality products, items that are environmentally sensitive, and economically responsible. They’ll also notice if you go out of your way to accommodate all types of needs from gender considerations to accessibility for people with disabilities.
Choose to make a statement of quality in your design: put in a statement design element, invest in high-tech equipment, or offer perks that set the experience apart.
5. Brand Personality
You went to a lot of trouble to create a look and feel in your space that represents your brand. Carry that over into the bathroom as well. If you have a swanky, speakeasy vibe in your bar, the last thing you want is the shock of a white, clinical bathroom. Make the bathroom swanky too.
Though it has a different purpose, you can flavor the bathroom to be reminiscent of your brand without losing the practical nature of the restroom. Use the same color scheme or employ the same materials or adjust the lighting to match the rest of your space.
Boston Scally Co. knew just how to spread their brand personality throughout the space, even into the bathroom. Their focus on embodying blue-collar Boston led them to use plenty of brick, concrete, and wood in their space. They selected the 36” Outland vanity with a concrete half trough sink, which complemented their brand personality right down to the rustic wood shelf underneath.
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6. Pleasant Atmosphere
No matter how beautiful your design, no matter the quality of your fixtures, if the bathroom smells or is dirty, customers won’t be able to appreciate your efforts. In fact, they may be deterred from your business altogether.
Beyond a regular cleaning schedule, you can combat this issue by ensuring your design factors in maintenance and cleanability. Some materials are more difficult to keep clean than others. For instance, grout is notoriously difficult to keep clean. The more seams you have in your floor and countertops, the more dirt, mold, and bacteria you’ll have to combat. That’s why solid surfaces and integrated concrete sinks are great in commercial bathrooms.
Use products that help control odor and introduce pleasant scents to enhance the bathroom experience. Managing sensory issues in the bathroom also helps with privacy.
7. Natural Stone
Stone may sound opulent for a public restroom, but what material better states how much you value your customers than natural stone? Stone boasts a wide variety of looks and colors to choose from, some even boasting excellent cleanability and easy maintenance.
Consider an engineered stone to get the same look with increased durability. Quartz or engineered marble are excellent choices and may be more affordable and easier to work with than stone slabs. Use stone for countertops, stalls, floors, walls . . . the applications are nearly limitless.
Create a commercial bathroom that is an extension of your business. Doing so will cement brand loyalty and keep your customers coming back and recommending you to their friends.
Let concrete be a part of your design.