What Does a Bathroom Designer Do?
If you looked up the definition of ‘Bathroom Designer’ on the internet, you would probably find something like this…
‘Bathroom designers are professionals who specialise in creating practical and aesthetically pleasing bathroom designs. They work closely with clients to understand their needs and preferences, these are used to curate a unique design, which can be tweaked and changed until you are completely satisfied. Designers also assist you when selecting materials, fixtures, and finishes.’
Whilst it may sound cliched, not all bathroom design companies are created equal and at Hobson’s Choice, we certainly don’t believe you can summarise our talented designers in a few sentences.
In essence, a Hobson’s Choice Bathroom Designer makes designing and installing your exciting new bathroom project as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. Of course, they work through a defined design process, but with much more humility, care and attention than expressed in the internet’s generic definition.
In this in-depth 10-minute read we will delve into what exactly a Hobson’s Bathroom Designer does and why it benefits our clients.
The Many Hats of a Hobson’s Choice Bathroom Designer
A Detective - From the moment you meet a Hobson’s Choice Bathroom Designer, they are beginning to piece together the clues that will enable them to gain an understanding of you, your project, your property, and your lifestyle. Sometimes it is through direct questioning or a survey visit, but more often it can be through a relaxed conversation over a cup of tea in the showroom. A chat about what you like, how you wish the space to make you feel, and how you wish it would function.
A Guide and a Filter – The options for creating a new bathroom are numerous and sometimes you just wish someone who knows more than you would help you whittle them down. This is where your designer comes in. Their expertise about what works in a space like yours helps them lead you to a selection of options that fit the style, budget and functionality you desire.
This filter can help reduce stress, enabling you to make informed decisions and remove any doubt that an incorrect choice may have negative consequences.
A Trusted Partner – It is true to say, a great bathroom designer requires the ability to think both creatively and technically. Any bathroom, from a large luxurious master ensuite to a small characterful guest cloakroom, has an internal infrastructure that needs to be understood in order for the parts we see and use every day to work correctly.
With all your project wishes and technical parameters in mind, your designer can let their creative talents flow. You will have built a great deal of rapport, understanding and trust with them by this point and your ideas are in safe hands. Their expertise will ensure your unique preferences are met with recommendations that we know can work, for example:
The perfect stylish taps and shower brassware, that they know will make you smile, are chosen because we also know it works with the water pressure and flow rate of your property.
The walk-in shower with the floor-to-ceiling glass you have your heart set on is checked to ensure the tray depth and wastewater piping will fit within the floor space and properly drain away.
The beautifully textured tiles you have chosen are mapped-out to ensure every grout line is perfectly placed in relation to taps, shower controls and sanitaryware.
And the lighting arrangements that will give you bright, balanced light to do your make-up and low ambience for a relaxing soak in the bathtub, are reviewed to minimise reflections and glare.
These are just some of the details a Hobson’s Choice Bathroom Designer will think about when designing your new bathroom.
A Communicator and a Listener – With all of the reasons for why your bathroom design looks the way it does, and why it doesn’t look a different way, your designer will present your plan to you. As discussed over a cup of tea in one of our showrooms, the plans and elevations of your project are thoroughly talked through and brought to life with tiles, materials and brassware samples.
After explaining the design and associated costs, aligned to your brief, your designer will listen to your thoughts, questions and feelings about the concept. If they have done their job correctly, you will see designs that realise your brief and receive considered answers to your questions.
A Salesperson – For a business such as Hobson’s Choice to function successfully and sustainably we must sell our services. After your designer has presented your bathroom plan it is the point in the client relationship where their sales skills are required. How has the client reacted, are they smiling and nodding or do they appear apprehensive? Has the brief been met or are adjustments required to satisfy the client? Just a few of the cues a Hobson’s Choice designer will be watching for when judging how to move the conversation forward.
Your designer will ask you for a financial commitment to continue working on your project. They will be assured of the value of their work and be committed to maintaining the company’s approach to our design process. This doesn’t mean you can’t make adjustments; it just means you are in agreement that we should continue working together.
You only work with one designer during your design journey with Hobson’s Choice. All the way from initial conversations to the installation of your new bathroom. This is because, after all of their detective and collaborative design work, they know the most about you and your project. Why would we want to hand you to someone else to oversee the most important part, bringing the plans to life in your home!
Project Manager – When you are happy, your bathroom design is signed off, and a deposit of 50% of the invoice has been paid, your designer will begin purchasing the many different parts. Their line-by-line eye for detail is crucial to make certain every component is ordered in the right size, finish and quantity. It isn’t unusual for a Hobson’s Choice Bathroom designer to cross-check other designer’s orders, just as a safety net.
Their next task is scheduling our installation team, delivery logistics and waste removal. The complexity of the task can differ, depending on the scope of your project. Are we making any minor remedial works? In this case, there will be additional considerations. Is the client away on holiday, do we need to arrange access? Can we place a skip on the drive? Answering all of these questions and many more become part of your bathroom designer’s remit.
Throughout the build, your designer will be your key contact. All of the installations will be managed by them, so you don’t have to worry. If you have any questions or concerns, you will talk to your designer and they will keep you abreast of how the project is running.
Quality Inspector – Your Hobson’s Choice Bathroom Designer will be just, if not more, excited about your new bathroom installation than you. They can’t help it, just speak to any creative person, they love to see their ideas bring joy to the people for whom they were intended.
As a team, your designer and installer will closely inspect the finished space, highlighting and rectifying any areas of the installation they feel require adjustment. It has to be finished to a level that not only satisfies you but also them because they are proud of their work and want it to be the very best it can be.
A Friend – Once all the dust has settled and the installation team have cleaned up and gone away, your designer will still be available for you to talk to. You might have a question about what to use to clean a particular surface, or how to change a filter – they will be delighted to help you find the answer.
In years to come it isn’t unusual for our clients to feel there isn’t anywhere else they would rather go for other interior design projects. This is because their designer knows them so well that by the end of a project, they are treated like an old friend.
They have enjoyed the experience as much as the end result.
In Conclusion
A Hobson’s Choice Bathroom Designer adds humility, empathy and expertise to the role. Advising you, the client, from a point of experience that comes from many years of getting things right, and learning from those projects that could have gone better.
If you would like to find out more about how we design bathrooms for properties of all shapes, sizes and ages, please get in touch with one of our showrooms – Bath, Swindon and Winchester.
We would be delighted to talk to you.
