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A House Beautiful report says the designers it interviewed recommend starting a bathroom renovation with the floor plan and functional needs, rather than finishes. They point to layout, storage, vanity use and plumbing locations as early decisions; the best first physical upgrade may vary with the room and budget.
Designers interviewed by House Beautiful recommend making a bathroom’s layout and day-to-day function the first priorities in a renovation, before settling on tile, countertops or other finishes. Their advice matters because early floor-plan decisions affect the placement and size of the shower, toilet, vanity and storage—and can shape the cost and usefulness of later choices.
Janelle Patton, principal designer and owner of Lark Interiors, said her team starts with the floor plan when a bathroom layout is not working. She said redesigning the use of existing square footage can create room for a larger shower, more useful storage or a functional vanity, and in some cases free up space for a closet. Those are examples of possible outcomes, not guarantees for every bathroom.
Nureed Saeed, founder and creative director of Nu Interiors, said functionality and flow should guide renovation planning. She recommends considering the positions of the toilet, shower and sink, including whether the toilet can be made more private or the shower enlarged. Patton said those decisions should come before choosing decorative materials because the rest of the design follows from how the room needs to work.
The designers also identify the vanity as a frequently used part of the bathroom, serving tasks such as handwashing, facial care and applying makeup, as well as providing storage. If replacing it is not practical, Kelly Collier-Clark, founder and principal designer of House of Clark Interiors, suggested smaller updates to the vanity area, including its lighting and mirror.
Layout Decisions Shape the Whole Renovation
Starting with function can help homeowners address persistent problems—such as insufficient counter space, awkward circulation or limited storage—before investing in finishes that cannot fix them. A floor plan also establishes where major fixtures will go, which influences what options are feasible for the vanity, shower and surrounding storage.
The advice is not a claim that every project needs a major reconfiguration. A bathroom’s size, existing plumbing and available budget will constrain the choices. Collier-Clark said she would recommend renovating the shower first if the budget allows, describing it as a large area where plumbing and tile can affect both function and appearance. That is one designer’s recommendation, alongside the report’s broader emphasis on planning the layout first.
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Why Designers Start With the Floor Plan
The House Beautiful report asked designers whether there was a particular bathroom feature or improvement they recommend prioritizing. Their responses emphasized planning how the room works, rather than beginning with a particular style or product. Patton described layout problems and wasted square footage as common issues her team considers when planning a renovation.
The report distinguishes between planning priorities and later upgrades. Once the layout and basic functions are addressed, homeowners can weigh optional features such as steam showers, jetted tubs, cosmetic refrigeration, Bluetooth-enabled showerheads or heated bidet seats. Saeed said she considers clients’ preferences alongside functional needs; these amenities are possibilities, not requirements for a successful renovation.
“Function first—always.”
— Janelle Patton, principal designer and owner of Lark Interiors, in the House Beautiful report
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Project Costs and Constraints Remain Specific
The report does not provide project budgets, cost estimates or technical guidance for moving plumbing or changing fixture locations. It also does not establish that a revised floor plan will be possible or cost-effective in every home. Those details depend on the existing room, plumbing and the scope of the work.
The designers’ comments are professional recommendations reported by House Beautiful, not a universal rule or a comparison of renovation outcomes. The source also does not identify a single physical feature that every homeowner should replace first: Patton emphasizes layout when it is not working, while Collier-Clark names the shower as her preferred upgrade when funds permit.
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Set Priorities Before Choosing Finishes
For homeowners planning a project, the advice points to an initial review of how the bathroom is used: where storage is missing, whether the vanity meets daily needs, and whether the shower, toilet and sink are positioned effectively. The next step is to determine which changes fit the room and budget, then select finishes and optional amenities around that plan.
House Beautiful’s report does not announce a renovation product, building standard or scheduled follow-up. It offers expert guidance for planning; the appropriate design and order of work remain specific to each project.
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Key Questions
What should be addressed first in a bathroom renovation?
The designers quoted by House Beautiful recommend beginning with layout and function—how fixtures, storage and circulation serve the people using the room—before selecting decorative finishes.
Does that mean the shower should always be replaced first?
No. Kelly Collier-Clark said she would recommend the shower first if the budget permits. The report’s wider advice is to plan the floor layout and functional needs early; the first physical upgrade depends on the project.
Which bathroom areas should homeowners review?
The designers point to the toilet, shower, sink and vanity, along with storage and the amount of usable floor space. They suggest considering privacy, shower size and whether the vanity supports daily routines.
What if a new vanity is outside the budget?
Collier-Clark suggested refreshing the vanity area with changes to its lighting and mirror. The report does not provide prices or say how much such updates would cost.
Which luxury features did the designers mention?
Saeed listed options including steam showers, jetted tubs, cosmetic refrigeration, Bluetooth-enabled rain showerheads and heated bidet seats. She presented these as client preferences to consider after functional needs, not as necessary renovation features.
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