Bathroom Design – Must haves for your bathroom renovation or build
For some, the planning of a new bathroom is an exciting time filled with grand ideas and endless potential. For most, however, planning a renovation or new build can be a daunting task full of uncertainty, self-doubt and decision fatigue. So when it comes to bathrooms, where do you start?
What makes a great bathroom? You use them every day, but do you actually know what goes into making one? The wet areas of your home (bathrooms, ensuites, powder rooms and laundries) are some of the most used and hardest worn places of the home. They are also some of the most expensive to build or renovate, so it’s important you spend some time during the planning phase to work out what you will need from your bathroom now and in years to come. Below are my five key points to think about to ensure you create an amazing bathroom you will love.
Tile Choice
If anyone knows me, they know I LOVE tiles. In fact, I have spent over 8 years working in the tiling industry and if that time has taught me anything it’s that tiles can be damn expensive to replace, so you want to get your tile selection correct from the get-go. This means thinking about who will use this space and how much cleaning you’re prepared to do to maintain your chosen materials.
As a general rule, tiles are made out of either ceramic, porcelain or natural stones (such as marble, terrazzo, travertine etc). Ceramic is your most affordable option as they are the cheapest to manufacture, but they are not as durable as the other materials, meaning they are more likely to chip if a very heavy item is dropped. Due to the manufacturing process of ceramic tiles, they are generally produced with a pressed edge (a slightly rounded edge), which means the grout lines between each tile needs to be slightly wider. The great thing about ceramic tiles, however, is that there is lots of variety in colour, style and patterns that emulate natural stone without the cost and maintenance that comes with natural stone.
Porcelain tiles also come in an immense range of colour, style, size and pattern options. Porcelain tiles are also far more durable than their ceramic cousins and generally are produced with a rectified edge (precisely cut straight edges) that require minimal grout between tiles. Porcelain tiles fall into the mid-range to high end cost categories, but the durability vs maintenance ratio is second to none. They very well could last the life of your bathroom while requiring minimal cleaning.
Another option are tiles made from natural stones such as marble or terrazzo. Nothing quite beats the look and feel of natural stone, but the cost will always be on the high end. As natural stones are porous, they will also require sealing. This ideally involves dip sealing prior to installation and then following up with a penetrating sealer every 12 months.
Another important thing to consider is tile placement. Full height wall tiling is great for ease of cleaning, but this can be costly to install. If you are on a budget think about keeping full height tiling just to shower walls and reducing the tile heights to the remaining walls. Alternatively, consider waterproof VJ wall panels for walls outside of your shower enclosure for a lovely contemporary look without the price tag of full height tiling.
Storage
In any home, storage is key, and this is especially true in bathrooms. Most people don’t have the luxury of large footprints in their wet areas, so maximising the space that is available is important. Try select a vanity with ample storage and, if space is tight, consider floating shelves or a mirrored shaving cabinet. There are more and more on-trend cabinet options hitting the market, in shapes such as arches and circles, and many with stylish timber shelves added. Check out Reece or The Blue Space for some seriously gorgeous options.
For your shower area please don’t forget a shower niche, or my preferred option, a shower ledge. For the small additional expense during construction, you will gain years of convenience by not having to store shampoo and conditioners on the floor or on an unappealing shower caddy.
Bath
Most real estate experts agree that not having a bath makes a home harder to sell and reduces its value. So, whether you are a bath enthusiast or not, if you have the space for a bath, it’s best to include one.
Don’t like the look of a built-in bath? Well, you’re in luck as they are not always your best option space or cost wise. A freestanding bath can reduce tiling and waterproofing costs, as well as being more practical for bathrooms that are slightly smaller. There is also a huge range of shapes on the market, which means that your bathtub can become the statement piece of your bathroom.
For those worried about how to clean behind a freestanding bath, fear not as back to wall bathtubs are now available. With the look of a freestanding bath but without the inevitable dust trap between the wall and bath, they are the dream tub for the cleaning averse!
Tapware
Gone are the days where your only tapware colour options were chrome! These days you can source tapware in just about any colour. I’m talking bright blues to pastel pinks to any metal tone you like! The ability to customise tapware colours to suit your style opens up the door to unique bathroom designs, but just be prepared to also open up your wallet! But if the price doesn’t discourage you then check out some of my favourite options for coloured tapware, Sussex Taps, Meir, Phoenix Tapware and ABI Interiors.
A few little Luxuries
Lastly, what would life be without a few creature comforts? If you have the budget then definitely consider adding a few little luxuries like heated towel rails, backlit mirrors or smart toilets, and for my southern friends, don’t forget the underfloor heating. Your toes will thank you!
Still feeling a little lost when it comes to designing your bathroom? Don’t worry as we are here to help! Get in touch today to find out how we can help you with your project, big or small.