Most of us find this process really confusing. In this blog I am going to provide some favourite tips and tricks that I have learnt during my time as an Interior Designer to help get you on your way to designing your dream bathroom space.
The placement of your bathware, toilet and storage can make a huge difference to how the bathroom will function and ultimately the overall aesthetic appeal when its complete.
Next is to think about privacy, what will you see when you first open the bathroom door? Is the position of the toilet discrete from initial view? What are your eyes drawn to when you first walk in?
All these questions help me establish the layout of the bathroom and how I want it to look and feel.
Hiding the toilet suite away from the main entry view can be tricky, but there are some simple tips I can share with you. This can be achieved with a blade wall or creating a toilet in its own space, only if the space permits. You could also screen the toilet suite by placing it alongside a vanity or behind a bath.
If you are renovating an existing bathroom, it is possible to move plumbing to create a better use of your space, however, keep in mind that costs can increase in this area. Especially if you are on an existing slab with no access underneath that will allow you to relocate the plumbing.
If you can, try to work with existing plumbing points to minimise cost. Ask yourself a couple of questions; Can the new shower go where the old bath was positioned? Can the vanity go where the old shower use to be?
If all these questions are too overwhelming, this is where an experienced designer or bathroom builder can guide you.
If you are on a budget, keep your bathroom design SIMPLE. Curves, ornate decorative mouldings, feature tiles, border tiles and custom joinery will all add extra cost. Stick to medium size tiles. Tilers can charge extra to handle small mosaic tiles as well as extra-large format tiles as they take longer to install or may take more than one person to carry and install. Be practical about what you need to store in your bathroom, remember storage is key. To keep a bathroom organised, design a vanity that ensures you have a place to put away your everyday items. Lighting is so important. Think about the level of light you need in different areas of your bathroom. I suggest you add more light around vanities and storage areas, then perhaps softer light over the bath and shower. Everyone is different, but generally, we need more light when we want to groom and apply products to our face. While we are on the topic of lighting, you need to take into consideration of ventilation. Ideally design your bathroom to have access to a window to allow natural light and air into your bathroom. If this is not possible, invest in a better-quality exhaust system. Position bathroom exhaust fans near the window (if you have a window) as steam is naturally drawn there, this will help minimise the steam escaping into hallways or bedroom areas. Products and bathware. We have so much more to choose from than ever before, but still consider longevity. How will the finishes you choose wear long term? Will the tapware and toilet suites be easy to repair and maintain if they need a spare part? Look at products that have good reviews and a long-standing reputation. Are they well-known brands that have been tried and tested over many years with good warranties?
Finally, if you love plants, bathrooms are a great place to have a couple of indoor plants to add colour and greenery to your room. Plants love humidity in the bathroom and create a healthy environment. Plus, they look great! But like most living things they will need some natural light to thrive. Be creative but be true to your own personal taste. Trends will come and go, and bathrooms are expensive to renovate. If it is not to your taste, you will get sick of the style much quicker. Just because black tapware is in, does not mean you have to do it too, unless you have always loved black details. But you can play with trends. Introduce artwork, a timber stool or a black stool, things that can be taken away again when you are over it.
