Help Guide
Want a bathroom that's both functional and fabulous? It's easy if you give a little thought to making the best of your space. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious bathroom to relax in, or a super convenient shower room, there are plenty of options out there to suit your needs. Aside from asking yourself some obvious questions (E.g. Do you prefer showers or baths? Or enjoy both?), here are some areas to think about:
Things to consider
1. Space
How much space do you have? Use graph paper to draw a plan of your existing bathroom. Put in doors, windows and radiators and then mark the existing plumbing and electrics, include the layout of water pipes, sewage outlets, ventilation ducts and light switches.
The space available will provide you with different options. Consider the positioning of key bathroom features which may require moving pipes, such as your toilet, and the positioning of the door and the way it opens. Most importantly, take into account pipe-work.
The layout of the room is critical to the final look of your bathroom, as well as the practicality. Ensure enough space is left around your toilet, sink and bath for easy movement. Adding an en-suite to an adjoining bedroom will mean a bit more work and increase your budget, but a well-designed bathroom will almost always add to the value of your home.
2. Storage
Think about how many people use the bathroom, so you can work out how much storage you'll need for toiletries, towels and cleaning products. Aside from wall storage and the floor area, remember to factor in space for towel rails and bath robe hooks. Matching bathroom furniture to your suite will give your bathroom a fantastic fully-fitted look. There is a range of storage space options, such as tall cabinets, single and double drawer units, free-standing shelving units, open-shelf storage and mirrored or plain wall units.
3. Lighting
The correct lighting can really set the mood for those indulgent bath-time moments. From light and bright in the morning, to softly lit and relaxing in the evening. It's easy to build ambience with lighting. Spotlights give bright directional lighting where you need it most. They're either surface mounted or recessed and fitted into walls, ceilings and floors. Wall and mirror lights are great for adding atmosphere. They're ideal for your bathroom as the bulbs are tucked away behind a shade or mirror. Remember that wall and floor finishes reflect light in different ways, changing how your space looks.
4. Flooring and walls
It is vital that your bathroom flooring is safe, slip-resistant, hygienic and easy to clean. These tick all the boxes: natural stone, ceramic tiles, lino and specially treated wood and laminate. Tiles are both a decorative and practical bathroom necessity. Ceramic tiles are perfect as they prevent water damage to your walls and you can choose from gloss, matt, glass and metal finishes. Mirror tiles work really well in modern bathrooms and make your space look bigger.
Once you have considered all of these things, then you will be ready to choose a bathroom that best suits your needs. Our website offers a wide range of bathroom products from well-established brands in the industry, which you can order with ease. Alternatively, if you are based in the North-East and have further queries, come visit one of our showrooms in County Durham (Spennymoor and Darlington) where our dedicated staff can offer a bespoke service to make your bathroom dreams a reality.
