See before you strip: the paradigm shift the industry needed
There’s a moment in every bathroom renovation that provokes a mix of excitement and terror in equal parts: when the builder starts stripping the old tiles. From that point, there’s no going back. The previous bathroom has ceased to exist and the new one only exists on a 2D plan that, let’s be honest, nobody fully understands.
“Does this sink go here?” “Is the tile grey lighter or darker than what I imagined?” “Does the 80 cm screen leave enough clearance?” Questions answered through improvisation, crossed fingers and the installer’s “trust me.”
That’s over. Or should be.
Augmented reality (AR) and 3D visualisation now allow you to see your renovated bathroom with millimetre precision before a single tile is touched. With the exact materials you’ve chosen, the real measurements of your space and the lighting you’ll have. It’s not a pretty Pinterest render: it’s your bathroom, as it will look.
At Bathscape it’s a tool we use on every project. And it has completely changed how we work with our clients in Valencia. Let’s tell you how it works, what technology is behind it and why it should be a non-negotiable requirement when choosing a renovation company.
How AR works in bathroom renovations
Step 1: Space scanning (capturing reality)
Everything starts by digitising your current bathroom. There are several ways to do it:
LiDAR scanning with phone or tablet
iPhones from the 12 Pro model and several premium Android models carry an integrated LiDAR sensor. This sensor emits thousands of infrared light pulses and measures the time they take to bounce back. Result: a 3D depth map of the space with ±1-2 cm precision.
Apps like Polycam, RoomPlan (from Apple) or Matterport capture the entire bathroom in 30-60 seconds. The result is a 3D model with real measurements of walls, floor, ceiling, window and door positions.
360° camera scanning
Cameras like the Ricoh Theta or Insta360 capture high-resolution spherical photographs. Combined with photogrammetry software, they generate a 3D model with photorealistic textures. Slower than LiDAR but with better visual quality.
Manual measurement + modelling
The classic method: tape measure, spirit level, hand-drawn sketch and subsequent modelling in 3D software. It works, but is slower and more prone to errors. Every centimetre that’s off in measurement becomes a problem during the build.
At Bathscape we use LiDAR as our primary method, complemented with manual verification measurement. The redundancy gives us ±0.5 cm final precision, sufficient for any renovation.
Step 2: Virtual design (creating the new bathroom)
With the 3D model of the current space, the designer places the renovation elements:
- Sanitary ware layout: Toilet, sink, shower/bathtub, bidet. With exact measurements of the models chosen by the client
- Cladding: Floor and wall tiles with the real texture, colour and format of the chosen material. Including the layout (how they’re cut at corners, how the joint looks)
- Fixtures and accessories: Specific models with real finish (chrome, matte black, brushed gold…)
- Lighting: Simulation of natural light (based on window orientation) and artificial light (based on chosen luminaire type)
- Vanity unit: With open drawers, countertop, mirror
The result is a complete 3D model of the renovated bathroom, with all elements in their final position.
Step 3: AR visualisation (merging virtual and real)
This is where the magic happens. The 3D model of the new bathroom is overlaid on the real view of the current bathroom through the phone, tablet or AR glasses screen.
You look at your bathroom through the phone and see how it would look with the new tiles, the new walk-in shower, the double-basin vanity. You can walk through the space and view from any angle. You can zoom in to see tile texture detail. You can change fixture colour in real time and compare.
It’s not perfect — current AR has lighting and edge limitations, which we’ll cover later. But it’s infinitely better than a 2D plan and a 10x10 cm tile sample.
Apps and tools available
For end users (DIY or exploration)
IKEA Place / IKEA Kreativ
The IKEA app lets you scan your space and place virtual furniture. It’s not bathroom-specific but has some bathroom furniture from the IKEA range. Free, very intuitive, good for getting a general idea.
- Precision: Medium (±3-5 cm)
- Bathroom catalogue: Limited (IKEA products only)
- Platform: iOS and Android
Houzz
Houzz’s “View in My Room 3D” section lets you place products from their marketplace in your space via AR. It has fixtures, sanitary ware and bathroom furniture from real brands (Roca, Grohe, Duravit…).
- Precision: Medium
- Catalogue: Broad but not complete
- Platform: iOS and Android
- Cost: Free
For professionals (what we use in the industry)
2020 Ideal Spaces / IntiAro
Professional 3D bathroom design software with augmented reality module. Real manufacturer catalogues with exact measurements and textures. It’s what many bathroom shops and renovation companies use.
- Precision: High (±1 cm with correct input)
- Catalogue: Extensive (Roca, Porcelanosa, Grohe, Geberit, etc.)
- AR: Yes, real-space visualisation
- Cost: Professional licence (€500-2,000/year)
Coohom / Homestyler
Cloud-based 3D design platforms with photorealistic rendering and AR mode. Increasingly used by renovation companies for their balance between power and ease of use.
- Precision: High
- Catalogue: Broad and growing
- AR: Yes
- Cost: From €30/month (professional)
Proprietary manufacturer configurators
Roca has its 3D configurator. Porcelanosa has theirs. Each manufacturer wants you to design with their products, which limits options.
At Bathscape, our 3D configurator integrates products from multiple manufacturers so you can mix and match without brand limitations. It’s one of our differentiating tools and you can try it directly online.
Precision: what to expect and what not to
Let’s be honest about the limitations — something not everyone does in this sector.
What AR does well
- Proportion and scale: You see whether the 120 cm vanity looks proportionate or if the space overwhelms it
- Colour and material combinations: You see whether the grey tile combines with the white sanitary ware and the black fixtures
- General layout: You detect whether the clearance between shower and sink is sufficient
- Emotional visualisation: You feel whether you like the bathroom before committing
What AR still doesn’t do well
- Exact lighting: Light simulation improves every year, but real light (tile reflections, window shadows) is hard to replicate 100%
- Texture to touch: You see the tile but don’t touch it. Roughness, temperature to the touch, real gloss… for that, physical samples are still needed
- Edges and occlusion: Sometimes virtual objects “float” slightly above real ones or don’t properly hide behind a real wall. This improves with each hardware generation
- Hidden plumbing and electrics: AR shows the aesthetic, not the technical. Where the soil pipe goes, whether a radiator needs moving, whether the suspended toilet pre-installation fits… that requires a professional to analyse the space physically
Current average precision
| Scanning technology | Geometric precision | Visual precision |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile LiDAR (iPhone/iPad) | ±1-2 cm | High |
| Photogrammetry (360° camera) | ±2-3 cm | Very high |
| Manual measurement + software | ±0.5-1 cm | Depends on rendering |
| Professional laser scan | ±0.2 cm | Very high |
For a bathroom renovation, ±1-2 cm is more than sufficient in the design phase. Fine adjustments are made during the definitive measurement before ordering materials.
Real impact on the renovation experience
Reduction of changes during construction
This is the data point that matters most to us. In our experience at Bathscape, since implementing 3D/AR visualisation in the design process:
- Material changes during construction: Reduced by 72%
- Layout changes during construction: Reduced by 85%
- Client satisfaction with final result vs expectations: Increased from 78% to 96%
Every change during construction costs money and time. Changing the tile once it’s been ordered: €200-600 surcharge. Moving the toilet drain once it’s been prepared: €300-800 and 1-2 extra days. Those “hidden” costs that turn an €8,000 renovation into a €10,000 one disappear when the client has seen and approved everything before work starts. We discuss this in detail in our article on hidden renovation costs.
Faster decision-making
Without visualisation: the client receives samples of 3-4 tiles, looks at them in the bathroom in daylight, then in artificial light, consults their partner, their mother, Pinterest, and takes 2-3 weeks to decide. With 3D visualisation: the client sees the options in context, compares instantly, and decides in 1-2 sessions. Average design time reduced from 25 days to 8 days.
Designer-client communication
A 2D plan is hieroglyphics for 80% of clients. “This line is the screen, this square is the toilet seen from above…” Absurd. A 3D model is universal: everyone understands what they see. Design meetings go from “what does this line mean?” to “I like it, but can we try the tile in 60x120 format instead of 30x60?”
How much AR visualisation costs
If you hire it as a standalone service
Some interior design studios offer 3D bathroom visualisation as a service:
- Basic 3D modelling (no AR, static renders): €200-500
- 3D modelling + virtual tour (rendered video): €400-800
- 3D modelling + interactive AR (explore on your phone): €600-1,200
- Professional scan + modelling + AR + 2 rounds of changes: €800-1,500
If it’s included in your renovation
At Bathscape, 3D visualisation with AR is included in the renovation price. It’s not an extra. We consider it an essential part of the process, like the quote or the technical visit. Because ultimately, a client who sees their bathroom before work starts is a client who doesn’t change their mind mid-build. And that benefits everyone.
Other renovation companies in Valencia are starting to offer it, but many still charge it as an extra or simply don’t have it. If you’re comparing quotes, specifically ask whether they include 3D visualisation. It’s a reliable indicator of how seriously they take the design process. We have a checklist for evaluating renovation companies that includes this point.
Comparison: 3D visualisation vs 2D plan vs “trust me”
| Aspect | 2D plan | Static 3D render | Interactive AR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space comprehension | Low | High | Very high |
| Material comprehension | None | Medium | High |
| Design time | 1-2 weeks | 2-3 weeks | 1-2 weeks |
| Cost for the company | Low | Medium | Medium-high |
| Changes during construction | Frequent (20-30%) | Moderate (8-12%) | Rare (3-5%) |
| Client satisfaction | 70-80% | 85-90% | 93-97% |
| Cost for the client | Included | €200-500 extra | €400-1,200 extra |
The numbers don’t lie: interactive AR has the best outcome in client satisfaction and reduction of changes. The additional cost is more than compensated by the changes that don’t happen during construction.
The near future: what’s coming in 2027-2028
Real-time material swapping
Real-time rendering engines (Unreal Engine 5, Unity) already allow you to change tiles, fixtures or sanitary ware instantly while inside the AR experience. In 2027, this moves from tech demos to working tools. Imagine being in your bathroom with your phone, tapping a virtual tile and instantly seeing how it looks in another colour. That’s already possible and is being integrated into commercial tools.
Realistic lighting simulation
Lighting is AR’s pending subject in interiors. But with advances in real-time ray tracing and latest-generation mobile graphics chips (Apple A18, Snapdragon 8 Gen 4), natural and artificial light simulation improves dramatically. In 1-2 years, the difference between a render and a photo will be almost indistinguishable.
Dedicated AR glasses
Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 allow immersive AR experiences without holding the phone. You put on the glasses, look at your bathroom and see the renovation overlaid on the real space with 1:1 tracking. Still expensive (€3,000-3,500 for Apple, €500 for Meta), but the price will drop and the experience is incomparably better than through a 6-inch screen.
Digital twins
The “digital twin” concept arrives in the home: a permanent, updated 3D model of your property that you can return to whenever you want to plan changes. Renovate your bathroom, update the digital twin, and in 5 years when you want to renovate the kitchen, you already have the base model. At Bathscape we’re working on this — we believe it’s the future of planned renovations.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use AR to design my bathroom without a professional?
Yes, apps like Houzz or IKEA Place let you explore on your own. But the limitations are significant: partial catalogues, no technical advice, no feasibility verification (whether the drain reaches, whether the structure supports a suspended toilet, etc.). Using AR on your own is fine for exploring ideas. For designing the actual renovation, you need a professional.
Does it work well in very small bathrooms?
Curiously, better than in large bathrooms. In a 3-4 m² bathroom, the phone’s LiDAR captures the entire space with barely any movement, and the AR visualisation is more accurate because there’s less surface to render. Also, in small bathrooms is where visualisation adds the most value: every centimetre counts and a layout error is much more noticeable.
Does 3D visualisation replace the in-person technical visit?
No. 3D visualisation complements the technical visit; it doesn’t replace it. AR tells you how the bathroom will look. The technical visit tells you if it’s possible: pipe condition, electrical capacity, structural condition, presence of asbestos in older buildings… All that requires expert eyes and hands on-site. More about our process at how it works.
Are renders a faithful representation of the final result?
To 90-95%, yes. The main differences between render and reality are lighting (render light is simulated) and extremely subtle textures (the vein of a marble, the exact gloss of a chrome finish). That’s why we always recommend complementing digital visualisation with physical samples of the main material.
Does Bathscape offer this service across all of Valencia?
Yes. Our design team covers Valencia city and metropolitan area. The LiDAR scan is done during the initial technical visit (included at no cost). The first 3D design proposal is delivered in 5-7 working days. If you want changes, we include 2 revision rounds. All included in the project price.
Conclusion: don’t renovate blind
The technology exists, it works and it’s available at reasonable prices. There’s no excuse for renovating a bathroom “by eye” in 2027. If your renovation company doesn’t offer you at least a basic 3D render, they’re working like they did 15 years ago. And if they offer interactive AR, they’re where they should be.
Our position is clear: pre-visualisation is not a luxury; it’s a minimum. It’s as basic as giving you a written quote or signing a contract with deadlines. Anything less than that is asking you to take a €10,000 leap of faith with your eyes closed.
Try our online 3D configurator to get a first impression, or request a visit for a LiDAR scan of your bathroom. Check out our bathroom designs for inspiration, and see in our projects how the final result matches what was promised. The guarantee we offer also covers the result being faithful to the approved design — that’s how confident we are.
