Interior Designer’s Room-by-Room Planning Checklist : Fish / Aquarium Bathroom
Designed for aquarium maintenance, water changes, containment of mess, and protection of the rest of the home
1. Room Purpose & Design Intent
Primary Function
Aquarium water changes
Rinsing equipment, hoses, filters, and driftwood
Safe handling of wet, heavy, and messy items
Secondary Function
Containment of moisture, spills, and odor
Easy cleanup after maintenance
Support room for the Fish / Aquarium Room (no crossover mess)
Design Philosophy
This bathroom is designed to:
Handle water safely and frequently
Be extremely easy to clean
Protect flooring and walls from splashes
Keep all aquarium-related mess out of living spaces
Feel utilitarian but still calm and intentional
This is not a guest-facing bathroom.
It is a support utility space.
2. ZONING & FLOW (FOUNDATIONAL)
☐ Utility Sink / Water Access Zone
☐ Toilet Zone
☐ Equipment Rinse & Prep Zone
☐ Storage & Drying Zone
☐ Spill Containment Zone
☐ Lighting Control Zone
Movement should be linear and practical.
3. FLOORING, WALLS & STRUCTURE
(Aquarium-Safe Only)
Shopping List
Waterproof flooring (tile, sealed concrete, or LVP)
Non-slip surface finish
Floor drain (ideal) or heavy-duty waterproof mats
Moisture-resistant baseboards
Scrubbable wall paint or wall panels
Corner guards (optional, high-use areas)
☐ No carpet
☐ No porous materials
4. UTILITY SINK & WATER ACCESS ZONE
Fixtures
Deep utility sink (single basin preferred)
High-arc faucet
Hose-thread faucet adapter
Backflow prevention valve
Accessories
Sink splash guard
Sink strainer
Faucet-mounted hose quick-connect
Wall-mounted hose hanger
Silicone drying mat for counter edge
5. WATER CHANGE & EQUIPMENT PREP ZONE
Shopping List
Python-style water change system OR hose-based system
Aquarium-only buckets (labeled)
Siphons
Measuring pitchers
Large prep tubs (plastic, aquarium-safe)
Driftwood soaking bin with lid
Dedicated prep trays (stainless or plastic)
Organization
Wall hooks for hoses
Hanging rail for siphons
Labeled bucket storage area
6. AQUARIUM TOOL STORAGE ZONE
(Extensive & Clearly Labeled)
Storage Furniture
Closed cabinet (humidity resistant)
Wall-mounted shelving
Drawer unit (optional)
Storage Bins (Required Labels)
FILTER MEDIA
NETS & TOOLS
CHEMICALS
FOOD
DRIFTWOOD
PLANTS
SPARES
Supplies
Airtight food containers
Waterproof labels
Inventory notebook
Marker & pen stored inside cabinet
7. TOILET ZONE (SECONDARY USE)
Fixtures & Accessories
Toilet with soft-close lid
Toilet paper holder
Backup TP storage
Lidded trash bin
Covered toilet brush
This zone is functional, not decorative.
8. DRYING & TOWEL ZONE
Shopping List
Wall-mounted towel bars
Hooks for wet towels
Drying rack (folding or wall-mounted)
Dedicated aquarium towels (multiple sets)
Laundry basket (aquarium-only)
Towels never leave this room.
9. LIGHTING (BRIGHT, SAFE, CONTAINED)
Layered Lighting
Bright overhead ceiling light (task-level)
Sink-focused task light
Fairy or pebble lights (soft ambient only):
Under cabinet glow
Shelf edge lighting
Controls
Separate switch for ambient lighting
Warm bulbs for ambient (2700–3000K)
Neutral-bright bulbs for task areas
Spare bulbs stored on-site
10. ELECTRICAL & SAFETY (CRITICAL)
Shopping List
GFCI outlets (multiple)
Surge protector (mounted, elevated)
Cord clips & drip-loop hooks
Extension cords (aquarium-rated)
Light plate covers
Plug-in plate covers
Fire extinguisher (nearby, accessible)
First aid kit
Non-slip floor mats
☐ Drip loops on all cords
☐ No outlets near standing water
11. SOUND, AIR & HUMIDITY CONTROL
Shopping List
Strong exhaust fan with timer
Door sweep (contain humidity)
Dehumidifier (if needed)
Hygrometer
Absorbent textiles to reduce echo
12. JOY & VISUAL CALM
(Minimal, grounding — not clutter)
Shopping List
One aquatic-themed art piece
Plant (real or faux, humidity-safe)
Decorative glass jars
Neutral color palette
Fairy or pebble lights visible but subtle
This room should feel orderly, not stressful.
13. CLEANING & LONG-TERM CARE
Stored in Bathroom
Vinegar spray (tank-safe for surfaces)
Disinfecting cleaner (non-residual)
Microfiber cloths
Mop or floor wipes
Extra trash liners
Paper towels
Cleaner Notes (If Applicable)
Cleaner may:
Mop floor
Wipe counters & sink
Empty trash
Cleaner does not touch aquarium tools or chemicals
Post sign if needed:
“Aquarium equipment maintained by owner only.”
FINAL DESIGNER APPROVAL CHECKLIST
☐ Water changes stay contained
☐ No wet gear leaves this room
☐ Floors and walls handle splashes easily
☐ Storage is labeled and obvious
☐ Electrical setup is safe
☐ Humidity is controlled
☐ Lighting supports maintenance
☐ Room feels functional, not chaotic
What Comes Next
If you’re at the point where you no longer want to think about your home — and you’re ready for it to quietly support your life instead — you can learn more about working together here:
