Bathroom Design Ideas

It might seem like a simple thing to select a shower tray and enclosure for your bathroom, but when you actually get down to it you will find that there are a number of factors to be taken into consideration before making that choice.

The main restriction that you face when it comes to making a choice is that you will want to maximise the space you have in your bathroom. Your actual choice of shower enclosure and tray will depend on how much room you have available.

The simplest way to fit a shower enclosure and save space is to use a shower door to change an alcove into a shower enclosure. This can be done to cover a two, or even three sided space. All you need then is a suitable shower tray of the correct size and the job is complete. There are other shapes available if you prefer curved, rectangular, or angled designs, but it is always advisable to ensure that there is a suitable shower tray of the correct dimensions and shape available before deciding.

Before attempting to fit the shower enclosure, the shower tray needs to be fitted in place and the whole area should be tiled and sealed to the shower tray to avoid leaks. Before the final decision on which shower enclosure to purchase is made, check the measurements of the door and ensure that there is ample room to open and close the door and get in and out easily.  The last thing that you want is to open the door of your new shower enclosure and find that it hits other bathroom fittings and causes damage.

Acova have been sector leaders in radiators throughout the world for years. They are the creators of stunning, design-led bathroom radiators which are available in an abundance of sizes, styles and colours to meet each individual’s requirements. In fact, if their standard range does not include exactly what you are looking for, Acova also offer a bespoke service where your bathroom radiator can be made to measure according to your exact specifications.

Acova bathroom radiators come in a variety of styles; from towel drying rails to mirrored heaters and traditional bathroom radiators. This range offers the customer the opportunity to combine the necessity of warmth with a stylish bathroom feature. Acova radiators are truly the epitome of stylish luxury.

If you are considering the Acova towel drying rails you will be pleased to hear that they are easily fitted through your existing central heating system, be it gas, electric or a combination of the two which means that this item is an option for everybody who falls in love with its sleek design. You have complete control of the towel rail, even down to the choice of matching accessories and valves. These designer bathroom accessories are practical and chic.

Another example of the Acova radiator range is the Balmoral, which is a floor mounted radiator. This radiator only comes in one size but can be finished in antique gold or chrome depending on your individual taste. Radiators are often considered a necessary but unattractive feature within any room, but you will want to show these Acova radiators to their full effect as a focal point of your bathroom.

Underfloor heating is one of the oldest methods of heating buildings (other than burning material inside) having been invented by the Romans. The modern day forms of underfloor heating are either hot water or electricity based. For the former, a series of underfloor water pipes are laid; for the latter, electric cables or mats are used. Both water and electricity underfloor heating systems can be installed professionally or on a DIY basis.  There are kits available for the DIY option.

The main advantage of an underfloor heating system is the greater efficiency when compared with standard radiator networks or room installed wood, coal and gas fires, or oil fired boilers. Placing all the equipment underneath the flooring also saves space. Underfloor heating heats a room gradually and on a widely distributed basis, in contrast with the freely circulating heat emitted by radiators and fossil fuel burners. In the long term, underfloor heating systems have often been shown to achieve the same or better level of heating at a lower cost than radiators, etc.

Further, in terms of thermal comfort, water and electric underfloor heating naturally achieves a highly desirable effect in terms of heating: warming the lower body but leaving the upper body, and especially the head, relatively cooler. This directly contrasts with radiator and burner types of heating.

As the entire floor effectively operates as a radiator by using underfloor heating, less power compared with forced air heating systems such as radiators is needed to achieve comfortable levels of heating.

People looking to change the style of their bathroom in years gone by had limited choices available to them. Take basins, for example, which used to be available only in basic styles; today, the range of basin styles available continues to expand. Since basins are an essential item in any bathroom, it is good news that individuals are free to express their own sense of style in one of the most-used rooms in the house.

Basins come in a range of styles such as vanity units, wall hung basins, pedestal basins and cloakroom units with variations in size, shape and colour. Most bathroom suppliers will stock a wide range of options which should meet individual budgets, conceptual designs or bathroom size.

Of course, the size of the bathroom is a very important factor. Bathrooms are often amongst the smallest rooms in the house; therefore it makes sense to use all space wisely. It makes sense that the choice of basin style and size should be proportionate to the size of the room. Obviously if you have a larger bathroom, it can accommodate the more experimental or larger basin styles.

You will find that basins are most commonly constructed from ceramic which, with the proper care, is extremely long lasting and hygienic. However, more modern basins are available in glass and steel, although these certainly require more upkeep to maintain their appearance. You could also opt for a marble basin as an impressive feature within your bathroom but this would only be an option if you have a very large budget. Finally, wooden basins have recently come onto the market which may be considered a ‘greener’ option, although in terms of aesthetics it may lose appeal over time when the constant flow of water darkens the wood.

When it comes to installing power showers it probably pays to opt for an all in one model with an integral pump. If you are merely unhappy with the performance of an existing shower, then it’s much cheaper and more convenient to plumb in a separate pump.

Whichever system you choose, check that your cold water storage tank is big enough – typically a minimum capacity of 115 litres (25 gallons). Some manufacturers of showers also recommend a hot water cylinder with a minimum 161 litre (35 gallons) capacity. This type of shower needs an electrical supply to drive the pump. The pump is wired to the ring-main by means of a switch fused connection unit installed outside most bathrooms, or you can fit a ceiling-mounted double-pole switch inside the bathroom. The shower pump switches on automatically as soon as the shower valve is operated.

To plumb showers with an integral pump, you can run dedicated hot and cold supplies to the shower, as when fitting gravity-fed showers. Alternatively, you can connect the hot-water supply directly to the cylinder by using a cylinder flange.

All-in-one showers are prone to vibration: on a timber-frame wall this can create considerable noise. Isolate the unit by mounting it on rubber tap washers slid over the fixing screws.

Always place the pump somewhere convenient for servicing as this will save time in the long run should the pump require any necessary repairs.

All tiling and grouting needs to be completed before mounting the shower on the wall. 

Bathroom furniture speaks volumes about your personal taste and sense of style; it should not be chosen hastily. Bathroom furniture is the very heart of your bathroom and says a lot about the household when seen by visitors. Every part of bathroom furniture tells a story, whether it is the basin taps; bath taps, the bathroom sink, the radiators, the shower cubicle, the shower enclosure, the bathroom mirror, and any wooden furniture items such as stands and drawer units, every piece of bathroom furniture should radiate your own personal theme and taste.

When purchasing bathroom furniture, one should take into account the size of the bathroom.  The object is to maximize space and make the bathroom not only a welcoming place for the family but also for guests.

With so many variables to consider, creating a pleasant environment is essential in order to relax and enjoy your bathroom experience. For those with small bathrooms, consider space saving bathroom furniture such as space saver bathroom suites, complemented with under the sink storage, corner units or corner shelves. A corner bath is ideal; although it occupies more floor space than a rectangular bath of the same capacity, but because it is fitted across the corner it may take up less wall space leaving room for a shower cubicle or shower enclosure. Furthermore, a corner bath usually provides some shelf space for essential toiletries.

Whatever your situation, be sure that your bathroom furniture enhances the look and develops the true potential of your bathroom space, and ensure that every finishing touch, whether it is the shower curtain, the bathroom rug or even the toilet seat, radiates the image that you desire. 

Water underfloor heating systems work in a similar way to conventional systems by circulating warm water in pipes, but in a more efficient way, heating the large surface area of a floor, rather than the small surface area of a radiator.

A gas boiler usually creates the heat, although you can also get water underfloor heating kits to use with solar panels or geothermal pumps. The temperature of the water is lower than that required by traditional central heating, typically 50 degrees rather than 60 or more, and usually a separate pump is required to enable controlled circulation.  Each area of the house is divided into zones which are individually managed, by thermostats. Hot water circulates through continuous pipes made from high quality polyethylene, via a series of valves. A manifold automatically controls valves which combine hot and cold water to achieve the correct temperature for a particular zone, as determined by its thermostat. The system works automatically and allows complete flexibility.

The maze of pipes can be either embedded in a layer of cement, or simply attached with a dry fixing to the underneath of your floor covering. They are spaced out evenly so that the floor is uniformly heated. The method of installation will be dictated by the type of flooring, and a layer of insulation is usually needed beneath the pipes. There are no joints in the pipes beneath the floor, and floor coverings are laid directly on top.

Shower curtain liners come in a range of materials and prices. Naturally, the first thing to consider is the type and colour of the shower curtain you will be lining. Depending on this, you should make a decision about whether to opt for a clear lining or one in a complementary colour.

You should also think about how often you use your shower. If the answer is frequently, you would be advised to select a lining in vinyl. It is durable, easy to clean and especially good for larger families. However, make sure you buy a vinyl lining with a manufacturers guarantee that it is free of toxic materials. Look out for those in Ethyl Vinyl Acetate or Polyethylene Vinyl Acetate.

Your budget, of course, will also determine your selection, but be warned, the cheaper the lining, the more likely it is to fade and you could well end up paying out more buying replacements than investing in a more expensive one that will last longer.

Organic hemp shower curtain liners are becoming easier to find and represent good value for money, as well as being a ‘green’ option. They come in a wide range of colours and patterns and are easily waterproofed.

Cotton, too, is also proving a steady seller, but remember that repeated washings may result in fading. If you buy one with a ‘designer’ label, take care that the lining will be constantly in stock. However, one of cotton’s great advantages is that it is easy to match up with other soft fabrics in your bathroom, particularly curtains and mats.

Nowadays, bathrooms come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and a well designed bathroom with elegant features can go a long way to improving the image of your home. With a whole host of bathroom accessories and bathroom furniture ranging from decorative basin and bath taps, a single shower cubicle, power showers and even designer radiators, bathroom suites everywhere are blessed with an abundance of products to suit all tastes and styles.

For those of you with small bathrooms with a bathtub that is taking up a lot of space, but is only ever used for taking showers, then this presents the best space saving opportunity when it comes to improving the functionality of your bathroom. Consider removing the bathtub and replacing it with a shower cubicle, complete with a shower tray and a shower enclosure.

If you have a bathroom radiator taking up useful space in your bathroom you have the option of installing designer radiators. Although some can be costly, they can be smaller and more efficient than old style radiators. They are tailored to complement your bathroom accessories and bathroom furniture.

If you have a free standing bathroom mirror consider replacing it will a wall mirror that not only takes up less space, but when positioned properly can actually make bathrooms look larger than they really are; the bathroom mirror can also become a feature focal point.

To complete your bathroom, consider elegant touches to your wash basin, such as decorative basin taps, and make use of the thousands of exquisite bathroom accessories that are available in most home improvement stores.

Installing shower enclosures within a bathroom can have many advantages. Aside from the benefit of preventing water from splashing out onto the bathroom floor, they also offer a fantastic home improvement opportunity. One of the many variables when it comes to choosing bathroom suites is maximising space. Even if the bathroom in your home isn’t the biggest, the installation of a shower enclosure can add a touch of class to your bathroom and create the image of a larger space with a shower separate to the bath.

If you are considering a complete bathroom renovation, the installation of a shower cubicle will certainly provide many new attributes to your bathroom. One of the major benefits surrounding showers are their functionality and ease of use. Not only are they simple to operate, they are economical when it comes to saving time and water!

Shower enclosures can be easily installed into all bathrooms and most showers and shower cubicles can be bought and installed by homeowners, so for the more daring DIY and home improvement specialists among you, this is your time to shine.

Accessibility is also another key feature when it comes to showers. For the more senior person, there are endless arrays of walk in showers that prevent the need to climb in and out of the bath thus preventing accidents. There are also a number of shower enclosures that are able to accommodate shower seats to make the shower experience even more accessible and comforting.

In terms of a home improvement venture, the option of installing a walk in shower can also significantly increase the resale value of your home as well as improving the look of a family bathroom.