Bathroom Design Ideas

Thermostatic radiator valves are used as part of a central heating system to control the amount of water or other fluid that goes through into the radiator. These are also called TRVs for short.

These radiator valves have an element that expands and contracts to increase, or decrease the flow of water by opening and closing the valve. Basically, these thermostatic radiator valves control the temperature in the room by regulating how much hot water goes through the radiator. There is a number on the radiator valve which corresponds to the air temperature in the room and can be set to keep the room temperature constant.

This is an excellent way of preventing a room getting too hot or too cold and if set at the optimum number can save quite a lot of money on the cost of running a central heating system. Thermostatic radiator valves will ensure that you have a warm and cosy bathroom when you get up for work on a cold, frosty morning.

There are a number of thermostatic radiator valves on the market and it should be relatively easy to find one that fits onto your bathroom radiator. Some of these can be fitted to existing radiator valves without the need for a plumber. Costs vary but most radiator valves of this type are quite inexpensive. Generally speaking it should be possible to recoup the cost of the valves in a year by savings made on central heating fuel.

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.

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.

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.

Those looking for a complete bathroom redecorating solution can buy bathroom suite packages. These suites are both economical and stylish, and they take the guess and design work out of bathroom remodelling.

UK Bathrooms sells three bathroom suites. The components of each are available separately, but grouping them together allows UK Bathrooms to sell the fixtures as an ensemble for a fraction of what the individual pieces would cost if purchased separately.

The Vitra Layton bathroom suite includes a toilet, a basin, a shower enclosure, a radiator and brassware. The standard toilet and pillared sink basin are white porcelain, and the tall ladder-shaped radiator is polished chrome. The Vitra Layton shower enclosure is a corner unit with acrylic doors that swing outward.

The Ideal Standard bathroom suite includes the same fixtures; but instead of a shower enclosure, this bathroom suite includes a shower bath package and shower. The toilet, tub, and basin are all white ceramic porcelain, the shower and sink fixtures gleaming chrome.

The Laufen Pro bathroom suite includes a toilet, basin, bath, and taps. UK Bathrooms also offers an optional upgrade with screen and shower for this package. It features the best-selling white ceramic fixtures from Laufen as well as progressively designed chrome bath and sink fixtures.

For those (re)designing on a budget, UK Bathrooms also has a Contemporary White bathroom suite. Composed of bargain-priced branded items, this suite features a simple white porcelain bath, panel, cc toilet, basin with pedestal and taps for only £450.

A power shower is not only a great way to wake oneself up in the morning it is also a fantastic way to unwind after a hard day’s work. The variety of power showers on the market also means that deciding which to choose is not an easy one.

You can have a power shower fitted if you have a water supply from both a cold-water cistern and a hot water cylinder. The power shower is actually fitted with an electric pump, which drives the water at you, but you can regulate both the temperature of the water and the pressure. You therefore have the choice of a cold but gentle shower, a very hot, extremely powerful shower, or any combination in between.

This flexibility makes the installation of a power shower a very convenient and useful addition to your bathroom. If you prefer, it can just be a normal shower, then you simply turn on the power as and when you please.

There are two main drawbacks to a power shower being fitted in the domestic bathroom. Firstly, if you currently have water heated by the shower unit alone, then it may not be possible to install a power shower easily. Secondly, you need to have a 50mm waste water pipe, which it is not always possible to retro-fit in an existing bathroom; otherwise the water simply won’t drain away quickly enough. 

If you have got the facilities to install a power shower, they really are well worth the investment.

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.

If you have the space available, it may be worth thinking very seriously about adding a sauna to your bathroom. Saunas have been popular ever since Roman times, as a method of ridding the body of toxins. It is also a fabulous way to relax and unwind after a long hard day at work and is perfect for soothing those tired muscles.

You might choose to go for a traditional Finnish style sauna, which is the most common type and is essentially a steam room, heated by water being splashed onto very hot rocks. 

Alternatively, there are the infrared saunas, which are less common, but are very effective. In an infrared sauna, the air is warmed and the heater also infiltrates the skin, resulting in perspiration. The heat relaxes the whole body, so the benefits are similar to that of the Finnish sauna.

The addition of a sauna can transform your bathroom into a real spa experience and will certainly help make your bathroom stand out from your neighbours. Although space is undoubtedly an issue, saunas can be installed as compact steam rooms, which will often also house a shower. This feature enables even a relatively small bathroom to become home to a sauna. These products aren’t cheap, but recent technological advances have ensured that they are within the reach of most homeowners and will certainly be quite an investment for your home. If you are confident enough, you can even buy sauna kits, so that you can do the installation work yourself.

Taps may seem like a perfectly straightforward item to buy, but the reality is that there are now so many different makes on the market it is difficult to make a choice.

Cross head taps, which are the more traditional style, have recently been surpassed in popularity in modern bathrooms by the lever taps or even taps which are simply round in shape.  You can even have taps which are wrist controlled, thereby meaning that you don’t have to use your fingers to turn on the tap, just knock the lever with your wrist or the back of your hand.

The choice comes in thinking about how you will use the bathroom.  If you choose taps which are just rounded, with no levers or cross heads to turn, then you may find that if your hands are dirty (particularly after a nappy change or similar) these taps are not the easiest to use.  But if you are young, then they are very stylish.

Taps will also complement the room they are fitted in; if you have a very traditional style bathroom, go for a more traditional looking tap.  But if you have installed a minimalist modern paradise, then some sleek, angular taps with levers will set the design off beautifully.

When you do see a type of tap which appeals, try out the various designs imagining the types of scenarios in which you will be using them at home. Are your hands soapy?  Are they dirty?  Can the taps be easily controlled in these circumstances?  Only when you have fully considered the pros and cons of each set, will you be able to choose taps which both complement the style of your bathroom and are suitable for your own particular needs.

If you have taken time to carefully choose your suite, along with fittings and fixtures, be very careful to not to neglect the other details, especially lighting, which is a critical aspect of your bathroom. Some carefully placed lights, can transform even the tiniest bathroom into a very elegant and relaxing room, which is a joy to be in.

Bathroom lighting should not be too harsh, since this will simply make the room look very cold and clinical. The key is to have lighting that is flexible and which will give you the opportunity to vary the level of illumination, up or down, according to your mood. In order to achieve this range you will clearly need to purchase more than one light. A main light is obviously practical, but for all other lighting requirements you could use a combination of spotlights and a vanity unit, which is illuminated. When you just want a peaceful soak in the bath, you can light a candle and have soft spotlighting, as well as the gentle flicker of the candle and just enjoy the tranquillity. At other times, when you need brighter lighting, it is there at the flick of a switch.

In the UK, you must remember that you now have to buy lights that are safe to install within a certain distance of the bath/shower etc. Full guidance may be obtained from a specialist, but most lights come with a note indicating whether they can be safely installed in a bathroom.