Bathroom Design Ideas

A low flow showerhead is quite a recent invention, but it is growing in popularity as we all become more aware of both saving the planet, in terms of reducing energy consumption, and reducing the amount of water we use.

A low flow showerhead reduces the volume of water that is consumed and this means a saving in both heating costs and water use. Some people shy away from this type of showerhead, because they think that they will end up with a shower that just trickles, rather than providing a proper jet of water.

This is not the case, since the low flow head will not reduce the pressure of your water, so your shower will still pack a real punch. Most traditional showerheads will deliver water at between five and eight gallons per minute, but the low flow model still has the same water pressure, which it delivers at between two or three gallons per minute. If you are a family of four, then these savings really start to add up.

As with everything, there are some models that are better than others. You may, for example, choose one that has a pause button, which means that you can stop the flow while you apply your shampoo etc, thus giving you real control over the volume of water you use. If you do decide to buy a low flow showerhead, then make sure that you buy one that will suit your own particular requirements and aim for a model in the middle of the price range, so that you aren’t compromising on quality.

The choice of whether to have curtains or opt for blinds really depends on your personal tastes, as well as budget. It may be possible to buy curtains more cheaply than blinds, but they can be affected by the damp conditions in the bathroom. Blinds are usually more expensive, but they may last longer. They are also particularly at home in very contemporary or modern bathrooms, whereas older, more period bathrooms will suit a set of curtains.

Blinds also help you to adjust lighting levels in the bathroom, which is very important when you want to use it for personal grooming. Roller blinds are very useful if you want to be able to block light out, or your window is an awkward shape.

Curtains can look quite dramatic in a large and grand bathroom, where you might have a very dramatic flow of crisp white linen adorning the windows. This can really help offset some of the starkness that many modern bathroom designs suffer from.

Whichever you choose, you need to make sure that you clean the blinds, roller blinds or curtains on a regular basis, otherwise they may start to attract mould. If that does happen then take swift action and replace them as soon as possible, because when mould gets hold it can spread very quickly.

Also consider privacy issues when choosing the soft furnishings for your windows and make sure that you pick something that is thick enough so that you are not silhouetted against the curtains or blinds when stood in front of them, especially at night.

The bathroom is a place where people often unwind and relax, or even prepare themselves in anticipation of a night of passion. It can be viewed as a room where the senses can either be soothed, calmed or even stimulated and as such it can be a very sensual place.

Traditionally the concept of sensual bathrooms has involved sweetly fragranced candles, rose petals and some soft music. This can be great for the woman, but the man may often find that sharing a bath, whilst being bombarded with sweet fragrances, is not quite so sensual for him.

Why not think about installing some mood lighting in your bathroom, so that you can both relax with the lights turned down low? Non-scented candles can then be used, along with aromatherapy oils to stimulate the sense of smell.

Next, try to have things that appeal to both men and women, such as candles, which are not overly sweet, like ylang ylang. Oil burners with aromatherapy oils, such as bergamot and cedar-wood, are often regarded as aphrodisiacs, but their scent is not too feminine, so they are pleasing to both sexes.

Wooden massagers can often be used to help each other relax, with the wood version being more masculine than a feminine or girlie massager.

Rose petals are fine in moderation, but they can dominate if they are used too liberally. So limit their use, in recognition of the bathroom being for both of you.  All that remains now is for you to simply enjoy your sensual bathroom and each other.

A careful choice of light-pull can look very stylish and help your bathroom co-ordinate perfectly. Light-pulls used to be available in only a very limited number of fairly horrendous styles, usually taking the form of a plastic plug at the end of a piece of string. However, they now come in all shapes, colours and sizes, including rectangular, oval, skittle or egg shaped and even spiral. Given that the range is now so extensive, it makes perfect sense to tie together the whole look of your bathroom by finishing it off with an eye-catching light-pull.

If you have an ultra modern bathroom, with bisque style radiators, angular wash hand basins, bath and very bold taps, then why not finish off the effect by having a really chunky light-pull? 

Light-pulls are also available in a variety of materials, including chrome or chrome effect, glass, ceramic or even wood. The ceramic and wooden light-pulls are more suited to traditional or even period bathrooms, whereas the chrome models are an excellent choice for contemporary and modern ones.

Try to pick out at least one item in the bathroom and then choose a light-pull that is designed in the same style. This will draw the eye from the pull to other items in the room, thus offering a look that is complete and shows a real artistic and co-ordinated flair. For obvious reasons, don’t fit chintzy light-pulls in modern bathrooms, or very modern ones in period bathrooms, or they will simply look incongruous.

Bidets have been on something of a rollercoaster in terms of being fashionable and then not so popular; currently they are most well-liked among people of 50+ years.  This continuing demand means bidets are still available and like all bathroom fittings have evolved and come of age.

Bidets are now available in a variety of shapes and designs with even freestanding bidets are available, allowing them to be fitted in the most modern and stylish of bathrooms.  The traditional, wall mounted bidets are also still plentiful on the market, so the choice is wide and, if you have space, they can add a touch of elegance to any bathroom.

Bidets can also look quite at home in any bathroom which has a continental feel to it, particularly if the bathroom has fittings from Germany, France or Italy.  Somehow, because bidets are more popular on the continent, they complete the look and transform a bathroom into a continental bathing suite.

Many people also like to have a bidet because of the added hygiene it can provide and so they do fulfil a practical role as well.

Bidets are mainly available in white due to the colour’s enduring popularity, but can also be found in other colours, usually neutral shades, to complement any colour scheme you wish to accentuate in your bathroom.  However, before you start importing graphite coloured bidets from the continent, you should bear in mind that any strong colour will dominate the room and this may somewhat affect the value of your home. So, if you are thinking of selling in the next couple of years, make sure you choose a neutral bidet, which is stylish, but inoffensive.

Tiled walls are a very popular choice for the bathroom, since they can help repel water, are easy to clean and with a fantastic range available it is really easy to attain a very stylish look. You can have a professional do the work, but it is also possible to do it yourself.

Before you start the tiling, make sure that your walls are flat and clean and that there are no little bumps of plaster or dampness.

The main thing to bear in mind when tiling a bathroom is that you must use a tile adhesive which is waterproof, otherwise the humid and damp conditions will mean that your tiles might soon drop off. You should also be sure to use a waterproof grout between them, so that they are fully protected.

Due to the number of pipes and fittings you have to cut around, bathrooms can be fiddly to tile. The best way to do this is simply by trial and error, using a good quality tile cutter to cut your tiles so that there is a perfect fit. It is always best to allow some extra tiles in case some of them break, are damaged, or you make a wrong cut. Just be patient, hold the faith and you will find that with a little practice you will be able to cut the tiles to fit around the most awkward pipes.

When you grout, be sure to omit the gap between the bath and the tiles or the shower tray and the tiles. For this you need a special silicon sealant, which is widely available in DIY stores.

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.

A designer bathroom is something that many people aspire to, since the opulence and sheer style that such a room possesses is truly remarkable and may give you the feeling of being transported into another world. Yet even importing your very own specified designer bathroom from abroad, or having it custom made to fit your specific needs by employing the designer yourself, may cause you some unexpected headaches.

Usually your designer bathroom will be installed perfectly and will look great, which is after all its purpose. To reduce the possibility of problems if things go wrong be careful, when making the initial purchase, that you have some kind of redress should your bath spring a leak, or the bidet stop working. It is true that purchasing a designer bathroom means that you are buying quality items, but they too can go wrong. The likelihood of this happening many be less than if you buy a very cheap bathroom, but remember that nothing is perfect, so don’t leave anything to chance.

You also need to establish whether you can obtain replacement parts if something does fail. When asking this, you should also check where the products are manufactured, since many items sold as designer are actually made in China and exported to Europe. From there they arrive in the UK, still under the guise of being Italian or French, ‘designer’ products. If you are importing a bathroom, you should also make sure that it is clear whose responsibility it is if anything is damaged during transportation.

Otherwise, just enjoy your beautiful new bathroom.