Bathrooms

Whether you’re building from scratch, undertaking a refurb or simply need to replace a few appliances; the question of where to start is one that can be a hefty barrier. That’s whether you’re an experienced DIYer or not. 

Your bathroom should be a calming space, from its functionality to its layout to its colour scheme.

All these factors should work together succinctly to ensure a relaxing and comfortable environment, one that anyone could unwind in after a long day. This is no easy task, so beyond helping you pick out your bathroom supplies we’ve also listed out some key tips to keep in mind when planning your next project. 

Even if you are just installing a new bath, the whole design of your bathroom will be affected. This is doubly true if you are working on a full refurbishment. Before any work begins you should first have a very clear idea of how you want the end product to look. That means both the colour scheme and general style.

Are you going for something classic and traditional? Or a sleek, minimalist style? Are you going to use muted off-whites or deep purples? The scheme and style should complement each other, and this will in large part come down to the products you choose. A Cast Iron Bath for example would look much more at home alongside brass or bronze-finished taps rather than glossy chrome. 

Coming up with a design for your bathroom can be a much more difficult task than you might imagine, but fortunately, there are more than a few ways of sparking some inspiration. One way would be to simply pick a centralised theme (this might be based on a favourite style of a wall panel or appliance) and then build your bathroom around that theme.

However, we would recommend taking the time to do a bit of research, even if that’s just on Pinterest or Instagram. There are literally hundreds of options to choose from and it is always worth casting a wide net to help you figure out exactly what you want. 

When choosing your colour scheme, you should also consider the mood you want for the room. Bright and cheerful? Consider bright complimentary colours. Modern and sleek? Contrasting monochrome does wonders. Dark and cosy? Nothing beats deep greys or purples paired with slate. 

Your bathroom should never feel crowded or uncomfortable. Though for many, especially those on the smaller side, this is a common problem. It is not an unavoidable one, however. With the appropriate amount of forethought and planning even the smallest bathroom can be made to feel more spacious by following these simple tips: 

Avoid Overcrowding

When working with limited space it is very important to avoid overcrowding it with too much furniture. Not only will this make the room seem cramped, but it may also make it more difficult to navigate. Instead, you should opt for cloakroom and wall-hung designs which will meet your practical needs whilst preserving as much floor space as possible.

Keep it Practical

It may not be on the top of your priority list, but space is arguably the most important element of your bathroom. Even the most beautiful and well kitted out rooms will suffer severely if there is hardly any space to breathe. If your room is small focus on practicality over style, limiting the number of appliances and their size.  

On the other side of the coin, if you are working on a family bathroom and have more space to play with you should definitely make the best possible use of it. Busy bathrooms for example may benefit from two basins being installed to prevent long queuing outside the door during morning rushes. 

Depending on your bathroom's location and the time of day you use it, a vastly different amount of natural light will make itself known. Whilst this may not seem like an important factor it can actually make a huge difference not only on the general vibe and mood of the room but also where you position your mirrors.  

If your bathroom receives a lot of natural light in the morning, installing a mirror adjacent to the window will allow this natural light to reflect into the room. This can have a positive and negative impact in equal measure.

It can make the room feel more open or drown out the aesthetic you intended. Therefore, it is integral to consider what kind of ambience you want to create, what features you want to draw attention to and how you can make the best use of natural light to help you achieve this.