Bathroom Design Ideas

Most people do not realise that choosing the right bathroom tiles is not an easy process. They usually only think about the colour and texture, but then find that tiles are now available in a number of different materials and size options.

Ceramic tiles with their glazed surface are the most frequently chosen tiles for bathroom walls. These last a long time, are very easy to clean and come in a huge range of colours and designs to suit any style of bathroom. The main thing to remember with ceramic tiles is that no two lots are the same. It works a bit like batch numbers on wallpaper, you must buy the right number of boxes with the same batch number to ensure that they will match, because if you run out of tiles you may find that you cannot get a perfect match when you go to buy more.

Glazed terracotta tiles can give a bathroom a real Mediterranean look and quality terracotta will last for life. However, very high quality tiles in this material may not be easy to find and the cheapest ones do not do the job in the same way, or give the same finished look.

Granite, slate and marble tiles look wonderful but they are expensive and must be sealed to stop them from absorbing the water in the bathroom and being affected by steam. You will need specialist advice on how to do this if you intend to fit them yourself.

Glass, porcelain and even metal tiles are very effective, different and stunning to look at, but unless you are an expert these really need to be fitted by a specialist. They are far from cheap and a mistake would cost you a great deal of money.

Many people are now opting for floor mounted bathroom radiators as a means of adding a stylish feature into their room. The Aestus Partito floor mounted radiator is a particularly popular choice. There is a choice of seven sizes on offer which means that there should be a size to fit any bathroom, no matter what space is actually available. One of the main plus points about this radiator is that it combines practicality with design.

You can choose from one of the seven common sizes available, but obviously your choice of radiator will depend on the size of your bathroom and the space you have available. However, if you are looking for a traditional column radiator to make the most of your traditionally designed bathroom then this is truly one of the best options out there.

Of course, you want your bathroom radiator to look good but you also want to be assured of its quality. These Aestus Partito radiators are finished in a strong and durable white powder coated finish and are made from high quality mild steel tube that will last a lifetime.

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.

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. 

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.

One of the most startling improvements you can make to your bathroom is also one of the least well known. While everybody recognises the huge difference a new bath or shower can make, lighting is still regarded as an unnecessary and largely irrelevant modification. However, with a little guidance, it will become clear that choosing your lighting carefully will greatly increase the beauty of your bathroom.

For the majority of bathrooms, a mixture of different lighting methods is crucial. Fluorescent lighting is all well and good, but it fails to provide much of an ambience, while soft illumination makes practical tasks, such as shaving or putting on make-up, difficult.

So called ‘task lighting’ placed over a bathroom mirror makes shaving quick and easy and need not be unattractive. Light bars provide an ideal combination of looks and functionality and do not cost the earth.

Similarly, a centrally positioned light can offer superb ambient effects, vital when enjoying a long, relaxing soak in the bath. Chandeliers are an innovative way to provide such an atmosphere and are cheaper than you might expect. However, it is worthwhile giving some thought to exactly how often you bathe. Too much exposure to steam may damage the fixture after even a short period of time. 

A dimmer switch may offer the perfect solution for those on a limited budget, providing strong light when performing more functional tasks and a softer, intimate illumination for those quieter moments. The trick is to shop around and choose carefully.

The simple answer to why travertine is that it is a time has proved product that this is a material that has been used for centuries on buildings notably in Europe, the Colesseum in Rome and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris are but two examples of the use of travertine throughout the world. Travertine is a natural product that has been formed through the reaction between heated water to mix with calcium carbonate particles resulting from shifts in the earth’s crust; travertine was created in large deposits and is now quarried for use in buildings in the form of blocks and tiles.

Like many natural products used in building and landscaping, travertine has to be shaped and dressed to give it a shape but at all times the natural look of travertine is not altered. The colours of travertine are completely natural too, so there is no possibility of the colourful look of the patio, wall cladding or bathroom going to fade or be washed away. In its purest form travertine is white but with contamination from other natural deposits, the colour can vary from white through yellow and brown.

Before buying travertine tiles you should seek the advice of your travertine supplier who will tell you which of the many travertine products is best for the room or area you are intending to use this in. For example, honed travertine is best for use in high traffic areas and rooms exposed to moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms. Natural travertine is best suited for living rooms as this is soft and delicate to look at and the classic aged look of travertine tumbled stone will warm your home.