There is no denying, bathrooms are one of the more functional rooms in your home, and we are often tempted to play it safe or miss the opportunity to be creative when it comes to their design. Yet bathrooms have so much potential. The family bathroom is the place where you get to finally escape and relax in a hot bath after a long day, the downstairs cloakroom is a great place to wow guests when hosting and an en-suite can be a seamless extension of your bedroom scheme.
Last month, we celebrated the start of spring and how to bring the outdoors into our living spaces with ‘naturally considered’ design. This look also works really well in bathrooms, providing you with a calm sanctuary to unwind in. Using natural materials and botanical design alongside bathroom furniture, you can deliver a fresh, simple yet stylish look. There are some really unique tile designs on the market at the moment. Some of my current favourite ‘green’ tiles include:
- Clarissa Hulse Jungle Hexagon Porcelain, available through Artisan of Devizes
- Tom Dixon Liquid VitrA range, available through Vitra
- Mandarin Stone Verde Marl Honed Marble Hexagon Mosaic (if you’ve got a very healthy budget!)
Blend these with a sustainable wood vanity unit and matt black taps for a contemporary look.
Some top tips when redesigning your bathroom:
- Check your desired furniture layout with the builders/plumbers before you buy the sanitary ware. Soil pipes and plumbing might not work in your planned position.
- Measure, measure then measure again before buying any sanitary ware (ensure you leave space for doors to open!).
- If you’re buying taps separately make sure they will stretch over the sink far enough (especially when buying counter top sinks)!
- Make sure you use appropriate lighting for bathrooms. Most bathrooms require IP44 lights at a minimum. For anywhere likely to be in direct contact with water (eg above a shower) use IP65. Also, dimmers can really enhance your ‘sanctuary feel’ if using your bathroom in the evening.
- Consider both fan and natural ventilation sources to alleviate condensation.
- Ensure your floor tiles are rated at least moderate non-slip, especially if you have children.
- Bathroom furniture can be expensive so stick to white for sanitary ware and neutral/muted colours for vanity units. Add on trend accents with tiles, towels, accessories and plants.
- Invest in as good quality sanitary ware and taps as you can: you want them to last!
#shoplocal
If you’re planning to re-fit your bathroom, contact Jo at TRUST Builders for a free quotation. They deliver a friendly and professional service and will project manage the whole install, from plumbing to tiling and decorating.
Deborah Smith is the founder and design director of Menagerie Interiors. Please send your enquiries to deborah@menagerieinteriors.co.uk, and follow Menagerie Interiors on Instagram.
