There’s a reason why the commercial bathroom market is worth an estimated $17.05 billion. Whether or not we think about it, we rely on these commercial, public restrooms every day. Unfortunately, we take a good commercial bathroom for granted.

This leads many building designers to make bad, costly construction choices when making their commercial restrooms for the building. So, how do you avoid making a design choice that will cost you in the future?

Simple: by reading this guide. In it, we’ll explore the fundamentals of creating the perfect commercial restroom that’s pleasant to use and won’t constantly break down. Let’s get started!

Use Interior Design Tricks to Maximize Your Space

Many commercial bathroom designers find themselves working with significantly less space than they need. The good news is that there are a variety of ways that you can maximize the space that you’ve been given.

This can be done with both careful planning and some optical illusions. The first thing you should do is careful blueprint planning. You want to get the most out of every inch by grouping stalls, urinals, and sinks together in a way that maximizes the number you can fit.

Just make sure that you don’t end up installing cramped stalls. Each stall should be around three feet wide. However, at the end of the day planning can only do so much. When you’ve got your blueprint down you can try some hacks to make it seem like there’s more space than there is.

One way to do this is by installing lots of mirrors in the bathroom. There should be mirrors around the sinks so that people can fix themselves up after using the restroom. However, you should also consider installing mirrors on opposite sides of each other.

This gives the illusion that there’s an infinite amount of space in the restroom. We also recommend leaving space under the sinks instead of installing cabinets. While cabinets might seem nice, they can make a sink area feel too crowded. As such, we recommend installing them directly into the wall. 

Make Sure Everything is ADA Compliant

You need to make sure that your commercial restroom is comfortable and easy for disabled people to use. The Americans with Disabilities Act has made it a legal requirement for commercial establishments to meet their standards.

These standards state that the bathroom must be large enough for a person with a wheelchair or a walker to use. Safety handles in the bathroom are also a requirement.

You can find a list of these standards through this resource here. Make sure you go through them carefully. You want to avoid any penalties and make sure that your commercial bathroom is an inclusive place for all. 

Add Style But Keep the Emphasis On Function

Depending on the type of commercial establishment style might be more important to your restroom than others. For example, an airport bathroom doesn’t require the same amount of decoration as a five-star restaurant.

However, regardless of what type of commercial establishment you run we recommend going with a style that’s easy to clean. While paintings might seem like a good idea in a commercial bathroom we recommend against it.

Instead, choose an art style that’s easy to clean. Vinyl decals are a great option that can provide some flair to a room while remaining easy to clean. And, make sure that you never compromise space for the sake of style.

Large wastebaskets or decorative tables can make even the largest area feel more cramped. As such, you should use them sparingly. At the end of the day, bathrooms should be more about function than style.

So, always keep this in mind when you’re designing it. When in doubt go with a plain sterile bathroom over one that’s overly decorated. 

Invest In High-Quality Products For an Optimal Experience

You want anyone using your commercial restroom to have the best experience possible. And, to do that we recommend investing in high-quality products.

Things like smart toilets, hand sensor sinks, and these Dyson Hand Dryers make your restroom both a cleaner and more pleasant experience. What’s more, they can also save you a lot of money on water utilities.

As such, we recommend going with these newer products over old ones. Not only will you likely need to replace them, but you will also have to put up with frequent customer complaints. As such, you’ll save money and headaches in the long run by going with a more up-to-date product. 

Select the Right Type of Material

Like products, it’s also important to not skimp out on the type of material you use for your stalls and countertops. While the look is important, we recommend finding a material that’s both attractive and easy to clean.

What’s more, it should be resistant to water and corrosion. Otherwise, you will likely need to replace it after a few years. If you need a suggestion, then look no further than powder-coated metallic material.

Almost half of all commercial restrooms use this material thanks to its durability and corrosion-resistant nature. However, other options like stainless steel, plastic with a matte finish, and fake wood laminate are all good options.

Just be careful around wood. The material doesn’t get align very well with water. 

Want More Content? Keep Reading

We hope this article helped you learn more about what’s involved in designing the perfect commercial restroom. As you can see, it’s important to not just keep in mind the people using the bathroom, but also the cleaning and maintenance staff.

However, as long as you follow the advice in this article, then you’re sure to end up with a commercial restroom that both looks and works great.

Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep exploring to find more topics that you’re sure to love.