Bathroom Design Ideas

Of all of the changes you will make during a bathroom remodel, new mixer taps will have the most impact. At both the basin and in the shower, they also serve as little works of art thanks to the modern designs available today.

When choosing your new mixer taps, consider where you might be going with other hardware, as well. You will want your mixer taps, shower accessories, towel radiators and other fixtures to all complement each other.

Someone with a modern sense of style will appreciate the Cubik mixer taps from victoriaplumb.com. These cube-like basin mixer taps in smooth, polished chrome come in a regular height and a high rise version. There are also matching shower mixer taps.

Those who have a home that is a mix of period and contemporary will be drawn to the Alexa basin mixer taps. They have the traditional cross-head handles but the polished chrome finish and sleek lines give them a more modern look. Also at victoriaplumb.com, there are matching fixtures for the bath and/or shower, plus for the bidet.

The Hampshire mixer taps at victoriaplumb.com are for those who appreciate timeless elegance. Their porcelain caps feature an “H” and a “C” and turn easily to adjust the temperature mix. These mixer taps also have coordinating bath and/or shower, plus bidet, fixtures.

It’s always a good idea purchase your shower mixer taps at the same time that you upgrade your basin mixer taps. That way, everything will match and you won’t have to pay the plumber twice to visit.

Bathroom mixer taps can be fitted to the washbasin, bath, or bidet and choosing the right ones is a lot more difficult than it used to be.

A basin mixer tap combines the hot and cold water taps into one unit.  Mixer taps are operated by moving a lever to the left or the right to adjust the water temperature, they sometimes come with a special pop-up waste which is often referred to as PUW and takes the place of the old fashioned plug.

Some mixer taps require a specific range of water pressure in order to work properly. This is often called bar pressure, with 0.5 up to 1 bar pressure being the minimum for basin mixer taps. The vast majority of homes have around 4 bar of water pressure. 

Sometimes mixer taps are referred to as monobloc mixers and these have just one tap that controls the water temperature depending on which way you turn it.  Three hole basin mixer taps have two separate taps, one each for hot and cold and a central spout.

Basin mixer taps are most popularly made of chrome because of its ability to reflect light in the bathroom, but they can also be bought in rather expensive gold plated designs if you are feeling affluent.  The most important thing is to make sure that the mixer tap you choose matches your bathroom washbasin and the ones used on your bath.

It is not generally a good idea to buy cheap, low quality mixer taps as they tend to look dull and worn very quickly. Good quality mixer taps, professionally fitted, will give many years of wear and will stay looking good.

There are a number of regulations when it comes to installing bathrooms, WC’s and showers, and there may even be others applied locally in particular areas. If you intend to install these things yourself contact your local authority for up to date details.

The main building regulations include a whole list of things including ventilation requirements. A bathroom or WC must have external ventilation and this might be a window that opens, or an extractor fan with a duct that goes outside.

If a house or flat only has one bathroom and the door leads into a bedroom, then the bathroom must have a second door giving access which is not through the bedroom.

These are the main regulations but there are many more regarding water and what may be connected to mains water supplies, or put down wastes into the drain. There are also regulations about power showers and water pressure. These rules can be quite complex and it will often take an expert to decipher them.

Making a mistake with regard to regulations can be expensive in terms of fines and perhaps having to have bathroom suites refitted in order to comply with these restrictions. It often works out much cheaper in the long run to get an expert to fit a new bathroom and to attend to any problem there may be with regulations. It certainly saves a lot of work and expense and unless you are an expert on these matters yourself, it will no doubt save a lot of worry.

Storage is essential in a bathroom but it can be a problem in a small room. The easiest way to provide storage for all those little bits and pieces like makeup, razors, tubes and bottles that tend to get left laying around is to fit a bathroom cabinet or vanity unit.

A modern vanity unit will also give an instant update and modern look to the bathroom. These come in a number of different materials from melamine coated chipboard at the bottom end of the scale right up to natural wood and even glass, porcelain and steel. There is something to match most bathroom decors. Designs and shapes vary and suitable sizes for most bathrooms can be bought.  Basins can be sunk down into the top of the units, or stand up above them, or even hang on the wall.

Apart from providing useful bathroom storage, a vanity unit can also be used to conceal pipes below the sink, giving a sleek and modern look to the bathroom. If you prefer antique style, these units can also be bought in antique effect wood of various types and colours with marble, ceramic, or even granite top surfaces. For the larger bathroom, installing a double vanity unit which has two separate sinks and much more counter space on top is the height of luxury. No more waiting for the bathroom sink to be free and more space to keep cosmetics, shampoos, etc in two cupboards underneath. It also helps to keep the bathroom tidy so that things can be found quickly.

Once you have decided which type of shower you want, the next step is selecting the perfect shower head. This is the most important part of fitting a shower because the kind of shower head you have determines the way the water flows.

Fixed head showers like the Grohe Euphoria Shower System are set into the wall and the most opulent looking and effective, but it is not always possible to do this. A shower head fixed on a riser which can be moved up and down will suit most bathrooms and most people, including children.

The other thing to think about is the way the water actually sprays out of the shower head. If you prefer a soft, gentle shower spray, a shower head with a large rose will do the job, but bigger heads use more water. The force of the water is not controlled by the shower head though; it is the valve that controls that.

Perhaps the most versatile type of shower head is the adjustable variety which can be turned to give a champagne flow, or a more intense pulsing kind of spray. There are a number of different combination heads available. These are ideal if you like to match your shower to your mood and should please everyone in the house.

Another very important thing to consider is cleaning. A shower head tends to get water-stained and can build up a calcium deposit, so fitting a head with a wipe clean surface that is easy to take apart and clean will save a lot of work.

Before choosing an illuminated mirror for your bathroom you need to be aware of certain safety regulations.  Once you have checked these, you can go ahead and choose the mirror best suited to your needs.

The Ingress Protection rating, or ‘IP’ always has two numbers after it.  These figures tell you how safe it is to use electrical items in any area of your bathroom. For example, if you were looking for a mirror with a built in shaver socket which was to be fitted above your sink, you would need a mirror that was suitable for zone 3. This would have to be well away from any water jets you might have and have a minimum IP of 20. If your illuminated mirror was quite close to a shower, you would need an IP65 rating.

Full instructions and details of the rules and regulations can be found in the latest IEE wiring regulations guide. An electrician will be aware of the regulations but you should certainly know about them if you are shopping for an illuminated mirror.

There is a large range of options when you shop for an illuminated mirror to match your bathroom décor. There are ultra modern contemporary designs in chrome, stainless steel, aluminium and a number of other materials which come with or without heaters and demisters, or you may prefer something traditional in appearance. Buying a bathroom mirror is not as straightforward as it used to be. Choose from low energy fluorescent and halogen powered fittings, or even LED versions. 

Double check with a qualified dealer to find out the current requirements for your size and plan of bathroom and then you will be free to select the design and style you prefer.

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. 

For many people the thought of overhauling the guest bathroom is put off until the day when an, ’important’, visitor is due to arrive. This is of course, a mistake. A basic rule of good manners is to treat others as you would wish to be treated by them. Would you like to arrive at a friend’s house and be forced to take a bath or shower in a grubby, unprepossessing room with last decade’s fixtures and fittings quietly mouldering away?

A good rule of thumb is to consider the ‘second’ bathroom as being of equal importance to your own. Have a look at your guest bedroom. You will want to complement the bathroom with that of the interior design of the bedroom. Colour schemes and contrasts are easy to achieve and surprisingly affordable.

Storage space is another point to consider. Most guests like to bring personal items that they would never dream of displaying in their own bathroom. So why should they in yours? Baskets with embroidered lids make ideal ways to store things such as towels and a change of bedding or if you are after a more contemporary look, functional metal boxes offer the same type of storage space.

Your guests will want to take a long relaxing bath before dinner and the evening’s activities. Place scented candles around the bath or perhaps tie bouquets of lavender and place strategically around the bathroom.

Finally, invest in high quality showerheads and beautifully finished taps. These little touches will make the guest feel truly welcome. Bringing you guest bathroom up to scratch is a cheap investment in the overall scheme of things.

For many people, the idea of relaxing in hot water, surrounded by the scent of flowers and overlooked by luxuriant foliage, is the stuff of dreams. Yet, with a little imagination, you could create a paradise in your very own bathroom garden.

A glass-faced bookcase can often be found, very cheaply, in markets or second-hand shops. Placed against a facing wall, it can be filled with shrubs and cacti and present a miniature vision of a garden.

This is particularly effective it you also use your bath as a shower. The glass door can be slid shut when showering to protect plants from the dangers of excessive steam.

Skylights also greatly benefit plants. Natural light flooding over a carefully potted shrub or plant provides a stunning focal point for any bathroom. Reflecting the arrangement in a bathroom mirror not only creates a marvellous illusion of space, but also gives the impression of being outdoors.

Another idea is to place thick metal rods in the corners of the bathroom. If these are securely bracketed, pots of plants can be hung from hooks and form a very attractive feature. Indeed, if placed horizontally across the width of a bathroom ceiling, the rods can support any number of plants snaking and intertwining between themselves, to give an illusion of bathing in some enchanted grotto.

A visit to any garden centre will provide you with all the advice you need to choose the plants that flourish best in a humid environment. You never know, a dream could quite easily become a reality.

Climate change is the single most discussed topic in political and environmental circles at the moment. From cars to computers, aeroplanes to aerosols, it seems that virtually every product we use is having a harmful impact on the planet.

Renovating your bathroom in as eco-friendly way as possible is a good way to help do your bit to prolong the life of the planet.

Of course, this does not mean to say that you have to resort to boiling your bathwater over an open fire or washing your bath towels once a month. There are plenty of ways to conserve energy without a drop in living standards.

For example, consider your toilet. Chances are it will be of the traditional lever flush or chain variety. Gallons of water are wasted each day by these conventional devices. Try installing a dual flush button on your cistern. This will help reduce the amount of water you use, when flushing, by up to a third. Low flush lavatories are becoming very popular and there is no need to cut back on quality, because both systems are stylish and modern.

Another useful tip is to incorporate water savers. These can be easily fitted into your showerhead and drastically reduce the amount of water used without compromising on cleanliness or enjoyment.

Insulating your bathroom walls is another good idea that you should seriously consider.

Finally, have a look at your lighting. Most appliances now run on low energy light bulbs.

So do your wallet, as well as the planet, a favour.