Bathroom Design Ideas

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.

Take a look around your bathroom. Does it look a little bland, even boring? The colour scheme may match, the accessories are functional, the bath and sink may be clean and fairly new, but something is definitely missing. Well, how about creating a theme, which will impress your friends and make your bath time just that little bit more exciting?

For example, how about revitalising the bathroom with a seaside theme? Choosing a new shower curtain with patterns of fish or ocean liners should be fairly easy to achieve. Match it with a bath mat in azure or turquoise and buy some new towels in a complementary colour. Most department stores sell scented candles, so how about buying some with a refreshing smell of ozone and placing them in little heaps of seashells or pebbles? 

If the glamorous days of Hollywood are more to your taste, why not try theming your bathroom in stylish black and white? Alternating tiles is easy to accomplish and very effective. Black and white towels will enhance the look and placing glass alongside matt black accessories will provide a chic and very glamorous addition to the bathroom. Art deco mirrors are also very affordable and would go very well surrounded by photographs and prints of 1930’s movie stars.

If you have small children, especially boys, why not go for a ‘Jungle Book’ look? Leopard print wallpaper twinned with models of elephants and lions is bound to be popular and make bath time a fun and popular experience.

Some of the factors to think about when purchasing bathroom accessories include the design and the style of your bathroom, as well as who will be using the room most often. If it is intended primarily to be your children, for instance, the bathroom accessories ought to be appropriate. If it is to be part of a guestroom, the bathroom accessories might include shower enclosures, soap dishes, illuminated bathroom mirrors, toiletries and towel drying radiators. In the case of a master bathroom, you might want to consider spending a little more on items such as illuminated bathroom mirrors, luxury baths, contemporary toilet, electric showers and designer radiators.

The other thing to consider is the kind of furniture style and design that you like. Those available range from traditional to modern to contemporary to Victorian to country.  There are plenty of accessories available to suit any style that you choose.

Next on the agenda are your colour and pattern preferences. You need to be very careful with your choices if you are to achieve a co-ordinated feel between the floor, wall and other items in the bathroom. For example, if the bathroom fixtures are mainly made of porcelain, then the accessories should be antique white to off-white in colour. If the porcelain extends to the bath, toilet and sink, then some darker shades would work well. If you are unsure about what colour scheme would work best for you, try seeking professional help rather than have clashing colours, which would spoil the whole look of the room, regardless of how much you have spent on it.

Some bathroom accessories may seem extraneous, their worth measured in terms of luxury and design. However, the extractor fan is a necessary bathroom accessory. The unglamorous work horse of the lavatory, Vectaire’s line of extractor fans is both functional and elegant.

For those DIY enthusiasts who’ve completely gutted their bathrooms, Vectaire has all the necessary hardware: the ceiling mounting ring; flexible, telescopic, and rigid ducting; the gravity flap; and the terminal vent. For those wishing to vent their bathroom out a window, Vectaire has a window kit that works perfectly with their extractor fans. They also make a wall vent kit for those venting out through a wall.

Remodelers needing a total extractor fan solution would to well to consider the Vectaire LuxVent Plus Extractor Fan and Kit. It allows the consumer to choose his/her extractor fan from Vectaire’s range  and includes a mounting bracket, gasket, 90° bend, 6m flexible ducting, a brown grille for the outside wall, and a 12v transformer for light.

Vectaire’s line of extractor fans come in a number of designs, all white and all slightly rounded squares. They offer their Axial extractor fan as a basic model, in three deluxe packages. The basic fan has an automatic front opening grille, the second most expensive adds an overrun timer, and the most expensive combines these two features and adds a humidity control.

They also offer their Axial extractor fan with only an overrun timer or with only a humidity control.