Bathroom Design Ideas

If you choose not to tile your bathroom, but instead decide to paint the walls, and then make sure you choose a waterproof paint which is specially designed to cope with the steamy conditions which running baths or showers will create.

Decorating a bathroom is no harder than painting any other room of the house, but if your suite is fitted, be sure that you cover it up well prior to starting, so that it doesn’t get any splashes of paint on it. It’s very easy to think that you will be so careful that this isn’t really an issue, but paint does and will, drop off your brush and can very easily ruin a bath.

Prior to painting, make sure that your walls are flat and that any rough patches of plaster have been sanded down. Painting will show up any tiny imperfections on your walls and exaggerate them, so take extra care to prepare them so that they look like a blank sheet of paper and are completely smooth. You may also want to patch-up any other imperfections, which can be quicker than if you simply try to sand down the rest of the wall.

Painted bathrooms can look very good, but may be a little ‘cold’ in atmosphere, so you may want to think about introducing a little warmth, with splash-backs over the bath and wash hand basin. A splash-back is simply a couple of rows of tiles, which act as a way of preventing water soaking into the walls.

The debate goes on bathroom sink or bathroom basin ? Well, whichever you decide it is we think that the bathroom sink can impact the whole of a bathroom design. The sink needs primarily to be functional, but remember it doesn’t have to look dull either.Many online bathroom shops offer sinks of varying size and shape with unique designs too which can accomodate even the smallest of budgets. Bathroom sinks are usually made from ceramic this offers durability and hygiene at the same time whilst keeping down costs too.Glass bathroom sinks are now seen more and more often as are steel, this has come about through the need for a more modern look.

Mira enjoy a reputation as manufacturers of durable, good quality and yet affordable showers.  Established in 1937, Mira has worked hard to build up this reputation and so is keen to retain it; being innovative in its designs and ensuring that it remains a leading supplier of showers and shower accessories.  They also enjoy a good reputation as having a great ‘customer care’ ethos, where all customers are well looked after. 

Despite its position as one of the best shower providers, Mira does not focus on one particular segment of this market.  Instead it produces all types of showers, from very basic, functional and affordable showers, to the most extreme power showers which are at the cutting edge of design and they really do deliver the power and thrust required.

So with Mira, you can buy a shower which will be reliable and stylish, but at the same time, you can purchase one which will suit your budget and bathroom.

The company also produce a range of shower valves and mixers which can thermostatically control the temperature of the water and do not require any electric installation.

Parts are also widely available, due to the popularity of Mira and you will find that you can often buy replacement items, rather than having to replace your whole system. In wash areas where there may be a particularly large amount of usage from children, students, etc, Mira will give you durability and the peace of mind that if something is broken, it can be replaced.

Many people like to have a rug in the bathroom, particularly if they have a tiled floor, because they feel it gives a feeling of warmth that tiles alone don’t provide. However, it is worth bearing in mind that any rug used in the bathroom should be safe for purpose and the risk of slipping on it should be assessed prior to purchase.

The best type of rug to buy is one that has been designed specifically for use in a bathroom. These are manufactured and crafted in such a way that they will resist the dampness that is created in a bathroom and will be long lasting. This is important because when the fibres in the rug are worn the risk of slipping increases. These products are also woven in such a way that they will dry quickly, so you won’t have to stand on a wet rug.

Mats made from chenille or cotton are the most popular types of bathroom rugs and they are quite durable. You should try to secure the rug so that it cannot slip on the floor, particularly if you have a very large bathroom.

Rugs are also available in other materials, such as bamboo and whilst these will not offer the same comfy feeling to your feet, they can look very stylish. 

If you do buy a standard rug for use in the bathroom, remember that the thicker it is, the longer it will take to dry out. 

Shower heads are often a secondary consideration, coming in second place to the function or the design of the shower unit. The choice of shower head is important, because it will be the point which delivers the water, so you want one which will suit your particular style and needs.

Generally, the larger the shower head, the more water it will deliver, so look for a good sized item. It can also be very handy to have a second hand-held unit, which is great if you want to wash a particular area and gives you more directional control of the water as required.

Overhead shower heads are also becoming very popular, particularly with power showers. This is mainly because the shower cascades down from the above, rather than being directional, although this really is a matter of individual choice.

If you like a gentle and relaxing shower, but your partner likes a shower that really invigorates, then why not think about having a shower which does both, with the shower head being capable of delivering a low pressure shower or a really powerful jet. This is the perfect multi-functional device.

The choice of the shower head should not be made on aesthetics alone, but, instead, should take into account the type of shower you like; the amount of water to use (this is vital if you are on a meter) and what your needs are for now and for the future.  Once you have decided on these issues then you only need to choose the most appropriate shower head, which will fit your needs perfectly.

Bathroom carpets often get a bad press, with people viewing them as unhygienic, particularly around the toilet and complaining that they retain water and are prone to rotting. 

However, bathroom carpets do have a great advantage over other types of floor surface, they are non slip and they are not cold when you walk on them, so particularly for older people, they really can offer a very practical floor covering.

The price of bathroom carpets has come down over recent years and they can now be bought at very competitive prices. Usually the manufacturer will state if the product can, or should be used in a bathroom and it is always worth buying one that is specifically designed for this use. You may pay less for a standard carpet, but it will need to be replaced more frequently than one that is designed to withstand bathroom usage.

If hygiene is a consideration, then you should think about installing a small toilet pedestal mat. This will ensure that any little splashes go onto it and it can easily be put into a washing machine, thereby allowing your carpet to be protected.

The only downside to carpeting the bathroom is that it will be difficult to vacuum around all the nooks and crannies where it is fitted. Some people find that using a small steam cleaner will help to get rid of any dust from hard to reach areas and keep your carpet in tip top condition for as long as possible.

Bisque radiators really are a stunning addition to any bathroom.  Whilst the majority of heaters are fitted to the wall, they have an air of being free standing and they look modern, contemporary and yet are also classic and elegant.

These are not standard, white rectangular radiators found in 99% of bathrooms across the country, these are iconic styles, designed to be bold and make a statement about the bathroom and your lifestyle.  Sharp, angular and rigid chrome towel radiators are available, or you can choose a seductively shaped winding, circular radiator for a softer, more feminine feel.

Some of the designs, such as the B² are a radiator designed in a mathematic style, offering an architectural feature in your bathroom.  Indeed, the architectural features of bisque radiators are their hallmark, which allow creative and free thinking individuals to express their individuality and creativity in the design and features of their bathroom, rather than just choosing something which everyone else has.

Freestanding radiators are also available and some of these have a real retrospective air about them, whilst incorporating the modern design statement which helps define the 21st Century.  This blend of old and new, retrospective and futuristic marks out bisque radiators as being timeless and yet, somehow, respectful of what has gone before.  So for those who want to really shape their living space and to demonstrate 21st living at its most ‘ultra cool’, bisque radiators really are a serious consideration.

Their price range is not particularly cheap, as you may now be realise from this type of designer, but the pieces are durable and individual, hence many feel, well worth the cost.

The bathroom may have remained relatively overlooked in considering environmental issues for some time, but those days are over and the bathroom is now subject to the same scrutiny as other rooms of the home.

In the future, all homes which are sold are likely to be affected by energy efficiency rules, which means that the house will be ‘energy rated’ as to its impact on the environment and whether or not it uses energy and possibly water efficiently.  Toilets already use less water to flush than they did thirty years ago.

However, this does not mean that your bathroom has to be transformed into some kind of sawdust toilet with a jug for bathing.  It is still possible to have luxury and save the planet.

All it takes is a little careful planning and consideration.  Can you maximise natural light coming into your bathroom?  This is great for energy efficiency and natural light really helps when applying make up! Is your hot water system controlled by a condensing boiler? Have you set a timer for water and central heating?

You can also make sure that the bathroom is double glazed, thereby cutting down on heat loss.  Or you can fit water saving devices to take water from the shower or bath and store it for use in the garden, if you want to be really water-efficient. For many people, a few basic energy saving principles are all that is necessary and still have the bathroom of your dreams!

Choosing a pump to power your shower or water system, may not seem like a big issue. Perhaps not, but you need to find a pump which best meets your needs.  So you need one which suits your budget and your system.

If you have a water system which has poor water pressure, then you may need a pump to boost the water pressure between the shower head and the water system. Or it may be that you want to have more than one shower head, in which case you will possibly need a dual pump.

Pumps can vary in quality, size and noise levels, so try to acquire the best possible pump you can afford.  Whilst the initial cost may be slightly higher, you will find that you reap the benefits over time, with increased performance and the pump lasting for a long time. Cheaper pumps can soon burn out; can be noisy or even let air into the shower system, which affects the temperature of the water.

Stuart Turner pumps are generally regarded as efficient and they have been in existence for over one hundred years, enabling the company to enjoy an enviable position as one of the leading forces in the shower pump industry and one which deals with both domestic and commercial premises.

Pumps are available for a wide variety of applications and with Stuart Turner’s extensive experience their products have been designed to overcome most problems associated with either reduced water pressure or simply householders’ demands for increased pressure.

Traditionally, bathrooms have often been decorated with lots of blue, or even just touches of the colour, to reflect the bathing regime and water. Alternatively, they have been white, which resulted in a very cold and clinical feel. Now, however, contemporary bathrooms can be decorated in any hue and the range of colour schemes available is almost limitless, although black may still not be the best option.

Whichever colour you choose, try to pick something that is not too quirky or individual, since this is likely to date very quickly and can become a real problem if you ever want to sell your house. So, whilst starfish, mermaids and appliqué unicorns may look great for the first six months, they can soon take on a quite tired air that quickly dates and looks rather unfashionable. 

It is far better to stick to mainly neutral colours, creams, beiges, whites or even slightly shaded colours with hues of blue, green or just a gentle shade of pink, but nothing too strong. Vibrant colours, if you can’t live without them, can be introduced in your accessories, but should not be on the walls. If they are, then the whole room becomes dominated by the colour and you almost lose the bathroom suite. It is also far from relaxing to be lying in the bath, surrounded by bright red walls, which can be more than slightly oppressive. 

The bathroom should be a place where peace and tranquillity is afforded and gentle colours will do this very well. A colour scheme such as this will also help show off the accessories and bathroom suite to their best advantage.