Human Scale:
6. Pleasure & Fun in the Bathroom

03/25

Children in particular love the bathroom: here they can play with water at the tap or splash around in the bath and blow bubbles to their heart's content.

But adults can also live out their hedonistic side in the bathroom: In the bathroom, you can be unreservedly naked and authentic, have fun and sometimes do secret things. The bathroom is the place where you know you are unobserved and are most likely to let yourself go uninhibitedly, sing in the shower or have serious conversations with your reflection in the mirror. The architectural location of the bathroom also has an influence on the (good) start to the morning: some people love the morning dew when they open the patio door to the garden, while the architect Antonio Citterio says he particularly appreciates the morning view from his bathroom window over the rooftops of Milan.

Activity	Realisation	Bathroom planning
Walk barefoot	Underfloor heating	Carpets or pebble flooring, non-slip tiles Underfloor heating is one of the top 3 equipment products in the bathroom*
Drink a Prosecco (or similar)	Small fridge	Shelf for tray Glasses made of plastic; risk of injury from broken glass
Drink a cold beer	Bathtub or washbasin with storage function	Popular at parties for cooling drinks bottles For party fans: popular hot spot on hot summer evenings; otherwise no food storage (temperature fluctuations, vermin, etc.)
Secrets (e.g. snacking on chocolate)	Lockable bathroom door	Curtains, pleated blinds, privacy film for windows Privacy protection at the touch of a button (innovative privacy protection technology for windows)
Taking selfies in the mirror / shooting videos	Large mirror surfaces	Good illumination of the face Three-part mirror cabinet for mirror effects
Sniffing the morning air	Window or balcony door	Align bathroom planning according to the direction of the compass optionally work with fragrances
Being naked	Optimum room temperature can be set; bathroom textiles	Privacy screen, large mirror surfaces on request, underfloor heating Minimise the risk of injury: Sanitary products with round corners
Playing with water (children)	Washbasin with storage space, bathtub	Provide a child-height washbasin or stool Have water toys ready in an extra box; hand shower in kids design etc.
Singing	Shower	Floor-level shower, walk-in shower, glass partition, possible music system Singing in the shower is a widespread phenomenon - partly because the hard wall surfaces create a pleasant acoustic environment
Listen to music	Bluetooth box; receiver for shower (waterproof)	Music system; possibly with integrated ceiling loudspeaker; connect loudspeaker to bathtub the acoustics of large tiled areas with sound-absorbing wall/ceiling material or textiles
Chatting, gossiping & blaspheming	The bathroom as a communication space	Seating area, double washbasin, bathtub with centre drain Tip: Close the window (even when making a call)
(cigarette) smoking	Attaching the ashtray to the toilet and washbasin	Ventilation; possibly plan additional room ventilation (fans etc.) Recommendation: Set up the bathroom as a smoke-free zone (respect for partner and children)
Telling stories	Bathtub	Chair, bench, stool Magazine rack, bookshelf
Moving/dancing naked	Comfort temperature; possibly underfloor heating	Sufficient meeting area, gymnastics mat, etc. Avoid sharp edges in the bathroom
Relax in a bubble bath	Bathtub	Adapt the length of the bathtub to users, note the depth Water temperature accurate to the degree helpful
Looking out of the window	Window, patio door	WC in front of window possible with special pre-wall element; no shower enclosure possible around the window Always plan bathrooms with windows/skylights in new buildings
Take photos or videos (of yourself, of others, as a couple)	Tasteful bathroom design	Wallpaper as an eye-catcher on the washbasin, neutral wall design Good lighting quality
Just be alone for once	The bathroom as a retreat	Lockable from the inside; curtains, privacy and sound insulation (door, drainage pipe, etc.) Emergency fitting enables rescue from outside in the event of an accident; alarm system (as in many hotels)
Try out clothes	Full-length mirror	Possibly plan with mirrors placed opposite; good lighting Often only found in hotel bathrooms
Enjoy the warmth	Underfloor heating	Underfloor heating; a carpet also offers comfort Underfloor heating is one of the favourite equipment elements in Germany *
Dressing, putting on nylon stockings	Seat, stool, bench	No sharp edges on the seat or in the vicinity Dry floor (distance from the shower and bathtub)
Go into the garden	Patio door	Access to the garden Who wouldn't want to feel the morning dew on their bare feet?
Drink tea or coffee	Free space at the washbasin or side table	Shelf for tray
Secret reading (letters etc.)	Lockable door	Favourite place Personal drawer, storage space
Try out or create jewellery	Mirror, magnifying mirror; possibly bathroom furniture with jewellery cabinet/shelf/showcase	Mirror cabinet, standing mirror or hand mirror; jewellery tree/organiser Provide a shelf for standing or hand mirrors
Being in pairs	Double washbasin, large (walk-in) shower, centre drain bath	Sufficient open space; separate WC No comment 😊
Lying on cold tiles in summer	Tiled floor	Movement area Seamless floor, large-format tiles, bath towel
Whirl (communicative)	Hot tub, whirlpool	Outdoor pool or hot tub with architectural connection to the bathroom
Enjoy flavours	Fragrance lamps	Open spaces, storage of essential oils Couch; note allergies and ventilation options
Hair colouring	Washbasin, possibly bathtub with hand shower	Fitting with extendable hose Check the chemical resistance of the washbasin and bathtub in advance
Set a timer for beauty rituals	Clock with timer function, smartphone	Provide storage space; possibly smart mirror/closet

*Source: VDS bathroom baseline study #germanbathrooms 2024