09 Mar Beautiful Bathrooms
Designing a bathroom can be great fun. The challenge to designing a beautiful bathroom is that you have to pack a lot of things in to what is, usually, a relatively small space. My Number One Rule is that you take your time considering what you want. Due to the expense and upheaval, you are very unlikely to change the bathroom again for a while, so ideally you want to get it right first time.
My Number Two Rule is to design for yourself, not for any future house buyer. The chances are that however hard you try to make the design appeal to everyone, it will inevitably be ripped out and re-designed by the new owner. So, have fun and make it suit you, and you alone.
To help you on your way, I have included the check list I use whenever I am asked to design a bathroom – whatever the size or style:
Should I go modern or traditional? This all depends on the client’s brief, but either way it is important to choose quality fixtures and fittings. They have got to last, and you will never regret spending the extra for them to stand the test of time.
Do I want to include a bath? Don’t be afraid to just go without one in the scheme. If you never have baths, what is the point of including one in the design? A generously sized shower enclosure is a luxury in itself.
Do I have enough storage? Large mirrored cabinets are an excellent solution for providing storage. Used cleverly, mirror is also a great way to bounce light around and always makes the space look much bigger. I like to include a shaver socket on the inside for electric toothbrushes so that you don’t have to see them.
What about heating? I am a big fan of underfloor heating in the bathroom. It is not a huge expense and well worth the money on cold wintry mornings. I always include a heated towel rail. Dual-fuel models are particularly good because you can dry your towels even during the summer months when the central heating has been turned off.
What about lighting? Overhead spot lighting is fine for most bathroom situations, but sometimes you want a feature pendant or wall light. If that’s the case, just make sure it is suitable for bathrooms because the building codes are strict when it comes to electrics. Women will always prefer good wall or cabinet lighting for putting on makeup.
What materials shall I use? As a general rule I like to keep it to three materials. This approach makes the room look visually bigger, and also helps with the cleaning. I often choose a vinyl for the floor because it is warm, has a slim profile and there is a huge range to choose from.
