Bathroom Design Ideas

In very many houses the bathroom is indeed quite small with larger space having been allocated to living and eating than has been awarded to functional activities; so for many householders, space is certainly at a premium in the bathroom.

However, this does not mean that you cannot still enjoy a full range of facilities.  There are some spaces saving tips which will help you to make the most out of the space you do have available.

First of all if space is very tight, then you should look at installing a close coupled toilet since this will save you space in terms of how far the toilet projects into the room.

Next, it is also possible to buy baths which are slightly shorter than normal, but still an adequate length (unless you are exceptionally tall).  These are often narrower as well, so allowing you to get that extra bit of space next to, or at the end of, the bath.

Consider installing a shower over your bath and then fitting a bath / shower screen to make sure that the water is contained.

Fit a countertop wash hand basin and, if space is really tight, then consider installing the wash hand basin in the corner.  Storage space can then be created underneath the basin, enabling you to completely maximise your space.

Finally, consider fitting a towel rail over your radiator or have a heated towel rail adjacent to the toilet.  Therefore, you can have all the luxury of a modern bathroom even in the tiniest of spaces.

Having a bathroom that is child friendly makes obvious sense. Children will invariably find all sorts of things to knock their heads on and whilst you don’t want to wrap your little one in cotton wool, you do want to make sure that your bathroom is as safe as it can be.

First of all you should make sure that none of your countertops, surfaces and vanity units, have very sharp angles. If they do, can you replace them or at least position them so the risk of a child knocking into them is minimised.

Next you need to think about dealing with clutter in the bathroom. Children’s toys are a great way to make bath time fun and ensure your bathroom is child friendly, but toys left on the floor pose a real risk to everyone, since it is easy to slip on one and lose your balance. Therefore, after every bath, toys should be tidied away in either a toy box or bag so that you know the floor is safe.

Bathroom rugs should be securely fastened in place or your child may be tempted to slide across the floor on it. This may be fun until they bang into something and hurt themselves.

Taps should be fitted with a thermostatic valve so that the water is never hot enough to scald a child. Whilst you may assume that the taps are too high for children to reach, they do have an amazing capacity to reach the unreachable, especially if they are in the mood to explore, so err on the side of caution.

Reference is often made to minimalist bathrooms, which are frequently highlighted as being contemporary or ultra modern. But what is a minimalist bathroom? It is a design concept that is based around simplicity and being true to form. For example, pipe work may be exposed rather than being hidden by ornaments or vases. The whole bathroom will also be very crisp and not cluttered by anything that will either detract from the form of the room, or undermine its purpose.

The emphasis might be on very angular corners, with a very rectangular bath, which features quite sharp corners. This is the form of the bath; it is rectangular and it is for bathing. Therefore the minimalist ethos has been achieved. 

It is possible, within a minimalist bathroom, to have some accoutrements, but these have to perform some duty or have a role, not simply be there to decorate, since decoration detracts from form and function. Shelves are ‘allowed’, but only with clean and crisp lines and with the ability to perform a function. Clutter and trinkets are obviously not in keeping with this design philosophy.

Minimalism is very much a modern concept that has really evolved since the 1960’s and looks as if it will be with us for some time to come, since it becomes more popular with each passing year. It is also viewed as providing a very calm space for people, since there is little to detract the eye, just a feeling of calm and quiet and simplicity.

Painting your bathroom cabinets may be a way to give your bathroom a really great look for a very low cost, especially if some of your cabinets don’t match. Painting is also an excellent way of achieving a co-ordinated look to the room, without you having to replace all the units.

Before you paint them, remember to check what materials the cabinets are made from.  If they have a surface that is plastic or plastic laminated, then they can’t really be painted, since it won’t stick. If they are wooden, have a wooden veneer or are metal, then you can go ahead and paint them.

Prior to painting, the cabinet will need to be prepped and for this it’s usually easier to take the doors off. Both the doors and the cabinet structure will need to be sanded down, since this will form a surface for the paint to latch onto. Often this is referred to as ‘giving the paint a key’. If there is no key, then there is nothing for the paint to soak into and it will not be very long before it cracks and wears off.

Once you have finished the first coat, wait overnight before applying the second. As tempting as it may be to rush these things, it is actually better to wait a while and allow the first coat to dry thoroughly.

Finally, before you replace the doors, think about replacing the handles, and since these can give your cabinets a fantastic look for only a few pounds, this will really help transform them into up-to-date, modern and very stylish pieces of furniture.

Fitting a bathroom cabinet seems quite easy. You buy a cabinet; if it is self-assembly then you take it home, fit all the bits together and then fix it to the wall. What else is there to it?

In fact there are some considerations that you need to take into account. First, is the cabinet replacing an existing one, in which case you will already have the holes that held the wall plugs and screws that supported it. It is unlikely that these will be suitable for the replacement cabinet, so you may well have to drill new ones. If you do, be sure to block up the old ones first.

If you do have to make new holes, will you have to drill through tiles, which can be tricky? If you are very nervous about drilling through tiles, can the cabinet be located elsewhere, where you can avoid the tiles?

Next, consider the height the cabinet should be on the wall. If there are two or more of you in the home, what is the ideal height for all of you and do you want to make sure the children can’t get into the cabinet? Before you even pick-up a drill, you all need to agree at what height the cabinet should be.

Finally, cut no corners when it comes to fitting the wall plugs etc. The cabinet needs to be supported, because it may look and feel quite lightweight when it is empty, but once on the wall and filled with all sorts of bits and pieces, it may become a lot heavier. If it doesn’t have the correct support it will simply work loose and fall from the wall.

The type of bathroom accessories which you choose can really add a whole new dimension to your bathroom.  The choice is almost endless, from sleek towel radiators to many freestanding accessories.  In fact, instead of hiding away your toilet brush and toilet roll holder, you may find that you want to display them as very chic, modern additions to a stylish bathroom.

It is important, however, to choose accessories which match the style of your bathroom.  If it is a very traditional styled room, then you should have traditional accessories, but you can still augment the ambience of the bathroom, through some very carefully positioned lights and mirrors which reflect the light.

Minimalist and modern bathrooms can also benefit from a strategically placed mirror and careful lighting, since the ambience of a minimalist design can be somewhat cold and clinical.  A few spotlights and a chrome finished range of accessories will still help it to look crisp and defined, but also make it less stark and more welcoming. 

The golden rule when buying accessories is not to purchase items which will date very quickly, so go for good quality and somewhat timeless pieces, to give your bathroom an elegance which is durable and will not simply look old fashioned in a  couple of years.  You should also plan your accessories carefully so that you can have a range which is complementary, rather than items which are mismatched and lack a co-ordinated look.  Accessories allow you to express individuality, so make a statement of taste, rather than functionality.

Bathroom cabinets have certainly come a long way, since they were universally white, with little in terms of design or even style.

Now you can buy bathroom cabinets which are illuminated, so that you can have perfect lighting conditions for applying makeup or even just checking your skin or teeth.  They can be fully mirrored, so hide their interior, or they can simply be very chic, understated wooden cabinets, in a variety of woods, which are designed to bring a designer touch to your bathroom.

So instead of thinking that they are somewhat passé, you should consider a cabinet as being an ideal way to store medicines, plasters, flossing equipment or such like.  It allows you to have those little touches right where you need them, but completely out of sight, so the bathroom does not appear cluttered or too full.  Indeed, a cabinet can be essential if you have a wash hand basin which is fitted onto a pedestal or wall mounted, since you may not have a vanity unit in which to hide things away. 

The style of the cabinet will, to some extent, dictate its price.  If you want the latest Italian inspired designer cabinet, then you will obviously pay more than if you just pick one up at your local DIY store. The choice available really is quite wide, with prices to suit all pockets.  So whatever your style or budget, you can find a cabinet which complements your bathroom, without dictating its style, but which simply enhances it.