Loos – The Forgotten Space

In hospitality design, we obsess over the entrance, the bar, the lighting over the tables, and the theatre of the open kitchen. Yet one of the most humble, revealing spaces in any venue is frequently treated as an afterthought: the loos.

Step out of a beautifully designed dining room and down a poorly lit corridor to a tired bathroom, and the illusion can quickly collapse. It’s astonishing how often this happens, so much so that fixing ill-designed bathrooms has become one of the defining pledges of Count Binface’s political career. See, a restaurant can get everything right – the food, the service, the atmosphere – yet if the bathrooms feel disconnected from the space that surrounds them, it can quickly lead to the experience shattering.

The loo is one of the most personal design moments in a guest’s journey and the emotional touchpoint of a brand. It is a space where people pause and check their reflection before returning to a date or gather with friends between courses. It’s where conversations happen, where people take a breath and, very often, where the gossip of the evening is shared.

In other words, it’s a surprisingly social space, and one that deserves the same design thinking as any other part of the venue. And yet, all too often, they are designed with zero empathy.

The first mistake is treating loos as purely functional. Bathrooms should be considered from the very beginning of the design process, not squeezed into whatever space remains once the dining room and kitchen have been planned, or worse, left as a shrine to the previous occupants. Their location, the route to reach them, and the feeling of the space itself all contribute to the overall experience.

In fact, the journey to the loo can be one of the most powerful storytelling opportunities in a venue. Corridors and stairwells are often forgotten transitional zones, but they can become moments of discovery.

Wayfinding also matters more than many designers realise. Guests should instinctively know where to go without hesitation or confusion. Clear signage and thoughtful placement should be considered a primary brand touchpoint rather than a purely functional detail.

Lighting is another critical, and often overlooked, element. Too bright, and the space can feel clinical. Too dark, and it becomes impractical. Guests shouldn’t be confronted with an overly harsh reflection of themselves, nor struggling to see themselves in the mirror, or navigate steep stairs where they can barely see their own feet. The best hospitality bathrooms strike a balance: lighting that is warm, flattering, and generous, but still practical.

Materials and fittings are equally important. Bathrooms are among the most heavily used spaces in any venue, which means durability must be part of the design conversation. Walls, flooring, and sanitary ware need to be robust enough to withstand constant use while still feeling considered and well-crafted. Timelessness is often the smartest approach. Overly gimmicky fixtures date quickly, whereas high-quality fittings and classic materials age gracefully.

Storytelling in practice

The most exciting opportunity lies in storytelling. In most parts of a restaurant, the food naturally carries the narrative. The bathroom is one of the few spaces where the brand can express itself in different ways – through materials, artwork, signage, and tone of voice. It’s a place to celebrate culture, heritage, and personality. Some hospitality venues do this instinctively.

At Pizza Pilgrims on the King’s Road, the route to the bathrooms is filled with artwork, Italian phrases, and visual storytelling that celebrates the brand’s heritage. What could have been a blank, uninspiring corridor instead becomes part of the narrative.

At The Ned, a mural leads you towards the bathrooms, creating anticipation before you even reach them. Inside, the space feels generous and welcoming, with iconic mirrors, seating for those who need a moment, and timeless sanitary ware that avoids gimmicks. The entire space glows with warmth and character.

Similarly, at Harry’s Marylebone, the journey itself becomes part of the experience. A beautiful stairwell gallery with elegant lighting leads to toilets that feel like a hidden discovery. Pale green sinks, nostalgic detailing, and a sense of timeless elegance make the space quietly memorable without trying too hard.

Meanwhile, Carlotta in Marylebone treats the bathroom as an extension of the overall brand experience. The journey downstairs feels intentional rather than incidental, with rich materials and warm lighting setting the tone before you even arrive. Inside, the design leans into Italian glamour – deep colours, marble finishes and bold mirrors that feel both theatrical and timeless, mirroring the restaurant’s confident personality.

The common thread across these spaces is that they treat the environment as part of the brand story rather than a purely practical necessity, reinforcing atmosphere and designing with the same care as the rest of the dining experience.

And yet in so many conversations, bathrooms are barely mentioned. We spend hours discussing food quality, service, and atmosphere, but the loos are often the weakest part of the experience. When guests leave the table, we don’t want them to walk away from the brand.

In many ways, we want them to experience it in one of its most revealing moments. Ignore the loos and you ignore a crucial design opportunity. But get them right, with empathy, storytelling, and thoughtful design, and people remember. They’ll talk about the food, of course. But they’ll also say something even more telling: “Have you been to the bathrooms? They were amazing.”

In summary

Design the journey, not just the room
Think about the entire experience from table to bathroom and back again. Corridors and stairwells provide the perfect opportunity for intentional and on-brand storytelling rather than being left as transitional zones.

Don’t treat wayfinding as purely functional
If guests have to ask where the loos are, something has gone wrong. Signage should be clear, intuitive, and designed as a brand touchpoint rather than an afterthought.

Get the lighting right
Lighting should be warm, flattering, and practical. Guests need to feel comfortable checking their reflection, navigating the space, and, importantly, getting to and from the loos safely.

Don’t over-design with gimmicks
Bathrooms endure heavy use, so novelty fittings and overly trend-driven details often age badly. Timeless materials and well-made sanitary ware always win in the long run.

Use the space to tell a story
Bathrooms are one of the few areas in a restaurant where the brand can speak about itself beyond the food. Artwork, materials, tone of voice, and small design details can celebrate culture, heritage, and personality in memorable ways.

Don’t forget the senses
Bathrooms are a sensory space, so think beyond what guests see. Consider fragrance to mask natural city or kitchen smells and create an atmosphere that relaxes or lifts the spirits. Ventilation should be planned from the very start of the project, particularly if the loos sit close to the kitchen. Ambient sound can also play a role – subtle music or sound that aligns with the personality of the brand can add another layer of richness to the overall experience.

Claire Barnard is creative director of branding at architecture, interior, and branding specialist agency Harrison.