Couples who clean their teeth together by the wash basin in the morning know: It can be challenging. And when she can’t find her mascara and he has no room for his razor, arguments can quickly ensue. But it doesn’t have to be this way: A double wash basin or double bath tub are just two options for optimising the space, especially if you often use the bathroom together. This article gives you tips on how to make your bathroom twice as nice.
Traditional bathrooms are designed to be used by one person at a time. This goes for the shower, the wash basin and the bath tub. But the reality is often different: Couples often need to leave the house at the same time in the mornings. So they want to be in the bathroom at the same time, too.
When this is the case, each person should have their own area in the form of a practical double wash basin. Sensible idea, right? They can then decide where they each want to store their cosmetics and hygiene products. It’s also nice if each of them has their own shelf space for clothes. Then there can be no arguments about misplaced socks or jumpers.
Double mirrors are another practical idea. You might opt for round mirrors that can be very elegantly positioned next to each other above a double wash basin. Rectangular mirrors that take up the whole width of the wash basin unit are also eye-catching. And these mean no more pushing and shoving when shaving or applying make-up.
If you get the opportunity to completely redesign your bathroom, we have a few handy tips you should consider at the planning stage:
When deciding on the room layout, you should also think about various usage scenarios, including whether a separate toilet area would be worthwhile. This way, you could still do your grooming routine or have a soak in the bath in peace, even if someone else needs the toilet.
If you have plenty of space, you could also consider a spa area with a whirlpool or sauna. This is the perfect place to lounge around or relax on padded benches, especially if your partner is taking their time again.
No matter the size, there is always enough room for two with the right layout. Create enough space for personal grooming with a double wash basin, while a spacious shower or double bath tub will provide plenty of opportunities for you to spend time together as a couple.
When it comes to storage space, we opt for the ultimate solution: We have the luxury of two bathrooms at home, so we don't have to share. Is that cheating? Maybe a little.
Simone Frey, hansgrohe Leitung New Product Introduction
There are many options for a generous storage area. In larger bathrooms, you can go for spacious bathroom furniture, such as a vanity unit, wall cabinets or a floor-standing cabinet. Smaller bathrooms benefit from storage systems that can be mounted on the walls. One storage basket for me, one storage basket for you, and arguments over the soap are a thing of the past.
Once you’ve perfectly organized and stored your bathroom essentials, it’s time for everything else we need for daily care – ideally in pairs. Two bathtubs might be a bit over the top, but two separate magnifying mirrors, for example, make perfect sense. That way he can trim his mustache while she applies her eyeliner.
If there’s anything I never want to do without, it’s storage space and our RainSelect shower. By contrast, the bathtub was removed during the last renovation. Now we’ve replaced the bathtub with the "stunning" shower toilet.
Lilo Butzke, hansgrohe Commodity Buyer
That includes two hairdryers, separate towel holders on both sides of the washbasin, individual toothbrush tumblers or soap dispensers – anything in the way of bathroom accessories can happily be there twice. Maybe not every idea makes perfect sense to you personally – if he proudly sports a bald head, a second hairdryer is probably superfluous. But couples simply sort out such small matters in a good conversation.
If your bathroom offers enough space, we also strongly recommend a double washbasin. Even if it feels otherwise, we spend most of our time in the bathroom at the washbasin. Brushing our teeth, skincare, applying makeup, often even washing our hair – all of that happens at the basin. With two washbasins, all these tasks are completely stress-free. No one gets in each other’s way, and all accessories are instantly at hand. Especially if you complement your double washbasin with a vanity unit for two washbasins. Finally, don’t forget the mirrors – either two separate mirrors or one large, continuous mirror – and nothing will get in the way of your morning routine.
With only one washbasin, our bathroom can feel a bit cramped at times. But our large mirror cabinet with clearly divided shelves helps ensure everything still runs smoothly for us day to day.
Daniel Roll, hansgrohe Projektleiter Neuprodukte
Finally, there’s one more thing that’s part of everyday life in the bathroom but that we prefer not to dwell on: the trip to the toilet. Even well-established couples like to preserve their privacy. But there are indeed options: Room dividers and partition walls zone the bathroom and serve as a privacy screen for everything couples would rather not do face-to-face. Whether it’s a folding screen, a shelf, or even solid masonry – we’ll leave that up to you. One thing is certain: If the bathroom no longer has to be completely cleared just because someone quickly needs the toilet, you’ll score plenty of harmony points in everyday life.
Plan your double washbasin or your room dividers with ease: With our bathroom planner, you can try out different options and immediately see what fits your bathroom.
A shared shower could be so relaxing, if it weren’t for the fact that only one person can fit under a typical showerhead. And no matter how warm you make the bathroom, once evaporative cooling kicks in, the teeth start chattering. That’s not exactly romantic—but of course there are solutions. However, we advise against running the overhead and hand shower at the same time or even installing two showerheads. Technically, that won’t work. You’d need pipes with a large diameter to ensure sufficient water pressure, plus a powerful tankless water heater and valves that even allow two showerheads to run at once. There’s a better—and above all, easier—way:
The joy of showering comes first for us in the bathroom. That’s why, as far back as 23 years ago, we planned our shower to be particularly large. Back then, it was not at all easy, because there simply weren’t any shower trays in those dimensions. But today, I’d plan the shower even bigger!
Andrea Duckert, hansgrohe Assistenz Management
Install a rain shower at least 300 × 300 mm in size, for example a model from the hansgrohe Raindance collection. This gives you a generous spray width of up to 70 cm. If you and your special someone move just a little closer, you’ll both be in the warm water. No shivering, no arguments about who gets to shower—just harmony and a shower experience like a warm rainfall.
hansgrohe Tipp
We know the romantic bath for two mainly from Hollywood films. Unfortunately, reality often looks different: a standard bathtub is designed for exactly one person. When two people get in, they’re at best crouched, while someone ends up with the drain stopper under their backside. Spooning doesn’t really work either; regular bathtubs aren’t deep enough for that. But who says you have to settle for a normal bathtub? If your bathroom has enough space, your options are almost limitless: from the extra-wide double bathtub to whirlpool-like corner bathtubs to bathtubs that could rival any spa in size and comfort.
If you and your other half enjoy bathing together, you can either get a season ticket for the public sauna – or transform your bathroom into a true oasis of well-being where no one will ever disturb you. Personally, we already know what we’d choose.
For you, that means: Plan your bathroom in exactly the design that appeals to you both. If you’re drawn to southern European warmth, opt for a Mediterranean bathroom. If, on the other hand, you prefer tidy order and clear design language, take your cue from the Japandi style. The only thing that matters here is that both you and your partner are happy with the design. After all, the bathroom should be a place of well-being for both of you—sometimes together, sometimes alone—for many years to come.
We quickly agreed on the big style questions. It took longer to decide whether we preferred it visible or hidden. In the end, we chose “hidden” – for example, there’s no visible power outlet by the washbasin in our home. This, too, is design.
Florian Glatz, hansgrohe Leitung Customer Insight
Do you already have a sense of your style? Try out colors, materials, and fixtures right in the Bathroom Planner and design your personal dream bathroom.
Firstly: A clever storage system that can be installed flexibly – ideally on the walls. This way, you create storage where there was only unused space before, define personal zones for both partners, and ensure systematic order.
Secondly: Organization and time management. When space is truly scarce, coordination is key. He gets up a few minutes before her so everything runs smoothly in the bathroom. The quick showerer goes in the morning; the water lover takes their time in the evening. Applying makeup in the bedroom, brushing your teeth in the kitchen, doing your hair in front of the large mirror in the hallway – if you live with a small bathroom, you’ll know the tricks.
My husband and I share a small bathroom and work like a dream team there: While I shower, he prepares his snack. When he’s in the shower, I’m at the washbasin. Afterward, we drink our coffee together.
Karlheinz Schremp, Assistent des Managements bei hansgrohe
Let’s recap briefly: A bathroom for couples should be well organized and tidy. Sufficient storage and counter space are therefore paramount. Everything else depends primarily on the space you have available. A rain shower often fits even in smaller bathrooms; a double washbasin requires more room; and a double bathtub calls for a truly large bathroom.
Our bathroom planner makes it easy to see how the individual elements will look in your home. Put together your dream bathroom, save the design, and then get in touch with us. We’ll of course be happy to recommend a specialist company in your area to carry out the work.
It works – with the right solution. Conventional showers are usually designed for one person. By contrast, a generous rain shower starting from about 300 × 300 mm creates a broad spray area under which two people have room. A little closeness is still part of it, but that’s exactly what makes the moment special.