new bathroom ideas
What do I need to consider about installation? Using an expert installer is key, our experts agree. “When installing a shower tray, the first step is to make sure the subfloor under the tray is solid,” Nick says. “Floorboards will have to be lifted and fixed back securely once the pipework is ready for the new tray. The tray should be installed onto plywood, not directly onto floorboards. “Before installing the tray, we use a flexible upstand, which is a large rubber seal that adheres to the sides of the tray that sit next to a wall,” he continues. “This is then siliconed to the wall after installation to create a waterproof seal.” Lukas recommends installers steer clear of ‘water-resistant’ plasterboards. “They should opt for fibre-reinforced polystyrene construction boards for walls and floors instead,” he says. “Also, if the shower tray manufacturer offers an additional corner and edge sealing kit for their trays, it’s always worth purchasing it for extra protection.”
What materials and finishes are available? “The most common materials are acrylic and stone resin,” Roxanne says. The consensus among our experts is to go for a stone resin tray. “Acrylic trays are lightweight, while stone resin designs offer a more solid compound mix, which makes them more durable and resistant,” Roxanne explains. “[A stone resin tray] is a heavy, solid-core tray capped in plastic that, once installed correctly, isn’t going to move and is less likely to leak due to its rigidity,” Nick agrees. For Lukas, because acrylic shower trays only tend to be available in a gloss white finish, they lack a bespoke option. “By comparison, stone resin comes in various colours and textured finishes, such as slate, providing more options,” he says. Nick doesn’t tend to recommend fully plastic trays, as they can flex. “This can create issues such as cracked grouting on the surrounding tiles and possible leaks,” he says. Bette UK Another option is an enamelled steel shower tray (seen here). “These are less common and can be more expensive, but they’re incredibly strong and long-lasting,” Roxanne says. They’re also very customisable in terms of colours, shapes and sizes. “Our cl...
Nick says that, with a smaller bathroom, it’s also important to think about head height, windows and anything else that will encroach on the shower. Remember that if none of the standard shower tray shapes and sizes are suitable for an awkward or tricky space, there is an alternative. “Most manufacturers also offer bespoke options,” Lukas says, “but be aware that bespoke shower trays may also require bespoke glass.”
What are the shape options? Square and rectangular trays Most shower trays are square or rectangular. They can be as small as 70cm sq and as large as 200cm x 100cm and beyond. “Unless you’re creating a walk-in shower using fixed pieces of wetroom glass [as shown here], the enclosure will sit over the tray exactly,” Nick says. This is to ensure a watertight fit. “The majority of rectangular and square shower trays will be compatible with almost any shower enclosure, panel, screen or door,” Lukas adds. Ready to renovate? Find reviewed bathroom designers on Houzz. VictoriaPlum Quadrant trays Quadrant shower trays have two straight-edged sides that fit into a corner and a curved front. There are also offset quadrants, which are longer and have the curve at one end. “Quadrant designs are for tighter spaces, where you’d like to save some floor area without compromising the shower itself,” Lukas says. The tray has to have the same radius of rounded corner as the enclosure. “Look for shower enclosure manufacturers that also offer matching shower trays to guarantee compatibility,” he says. Pentagon trays The pentagon is also for corners. As its name suggests, rather than a curve, it h...
What are the main shower tray types? There are two main designs: low-profile and raised shower trays. “Low-profile versions are aesthetically more appealing and less of a trip hazard,” Roxanne Voskuijl says. “But if the pipework can’t be set into the floor, a raised shower tray would be the better solution, as they’re designed to allow for raised pipework. “Raised shower trays can also be used with adjustable legs, which can be useful for installing them on uneven surfaces,” she adds. Run for the Hills “The void under a raised shower tray also allows access if there’s an issue in the future or you want to replace the waste on the shower,” Nick Glendinning says. Low-profile trays usually come in thicknesses of between 3cm and 4cm, with some being as slim as 2cm. “These can be laid above the floor tiles, creating a micro step with the thickness of the tray,” Lukas Kedden says, “or they can be laid flush with the tiles, creating a seamless floor and an easier entrance into the shower.”
Fashion a shelf desk If you work from home but only have a small room, or portion of a room, for your home office, this is a clever but simple design idea. A built-in shelf desk is light and doesn’t take up much space at all. In this case, the desk-shelf is chunky, so the wall fixings are concealed. These eliminate the need for legs, allowing the maximum floor space underneath. It’s a good idea to consult a builder about the correct and safe fixings for a shelf like this, as it will need to carry the load of a computer and maybe a printer and other office equipment.
Run along a wall In a very narrow room, you might wonder if it’s possible to fit in storage at all. But in this slimline space, the architects have been inspired by the clever design of yacht bathrooms. The entire space is waterproof, so the shower could be fitted directly opposite the long, lean vanity unit, which contains numerous cupboards. The basin has been moulded into the Corian worktop and its plumbing is hidden neatly within the cupboard below.
Try ply Plywood kitchens have been on the style radar for a while, and now the material has made its way into the bathroom. These pared-back cabinets are made of pre-lacquered birch ply. Simple finger holes in the vanity unit mean there’s no need for handles, in keeping with the streamlined aesthetic. They’re echoed by the decorative holes in the wall panels, which conceal an airing cupboard.
Shower in the sunshine Here’s another well-placed roof window. This time, a small pane was all that was needed to open up the narrow shower space and highlight the graphic tiles. “We’re always looking for ways to optimise natural light,” designer Brian O’Tuama says. “When the sun is shining, you get that nice blue-sky moment above you.”
Small details elevate the design from functional to stylish. The simple, inexpensive white wall tiles around the bath have been given a lift thanks to a chrome tile trim, which also runs around the window frame.
Know your materials Still on the subject of tiles, remember you don’t have to choose the most expensive options – especially these days. “Use good-quality porcelain tiles instead of natural stone,” Steve Baker advises. “Technology is so good now, it’s often hard to distinguish between them, and porcelain tiles can be considerably cheaper. “Porcelain is also much more durable than natural stone and less prone to cracking and chipping, and it doesn’t require regular sealing to stop it staining,” Steve adds. “Go for a full-bodied porcelain tile, which means your tiler will be able to polish the edges instead of using unsightly trims.”
Warm up If you’re looking for a way to dry your towels while storing them, check out this clever idea. Copper pipes have been soldered together to form a radiator with handy ledges for rolled-up towels. Storing them like this is neater than hanging a pile over a standard towel radiator, and the copper pipes bring a cool industrial look to the bathroom. I don't think this would work with wet towels, as they would get mouldy in the middle but no reason, presumably, t hat you couldn't use the same process to make a towel rail to hang the towels on
Stiff and Trevillion Email Save Check the glass thickness All shower enclosures are made from tempered glass, also known as safety glass. ‘Glass comes in different thicknesses, and this has a bearing on price,’ explains Elliot. ‘Cheap enclosures are often made from 4mm glass. You will generally find that when you open and close the door, it does not feel as smooth or substantial due to the lighter weight. More expensive, but usually reasonably affordable, are shower enclosures made of 6mm glass, while premium enclosures often utilise 8mm or even 10mm glass.’ ‘But glass thickness is not the only indicator of quality. Hinges, runners, wheels and design all
Suspend from a rail Shower rails and hanging planters are a dream combination. Keeping semi-tropical plants in a humid environment like a bathroom means they’ll get most of the water they need from the air, and a rail is an easy way to suspend a planter, with no need for extra nails and hooks. These planters are actually attached via hooks in the window frame, but would work equally well looped over the shower rail, at the opposite end to the showerhead.
Rethink traditional positions This is an interesting idea for a small-ish bathroom where you want both a bath and a shower. Here, building in a conventional cubicle would have been tricky without losing the bath, but by positioning a frameless screen strategically – enclosing both tub and shower – the space has been used extremely economically. Your floor in this context will almost certainly need to be fitted as it would do in a wet room, so ensure your contractor is tanking it and installing suitable floor drainage.
Like the taps in the middle of the bath and tile edging
Grout size: Porcelain tiles with very straight, square edges look much better with a thin grout line, and a similar shade of grout will help to create that smooth, streamlined finish. Natural stone tiles with tumbled edges will need a large space to allow for the irregularity of the edges. Again, a similar shade of grout can help the lines to blend in.
To calculate tile amounts: think it’s much easier to deal in the number of tiles rather than trying to calculate in square metres. Divide the area up into smaller rectangular sections and write down each one or draw a diagram, whichever works for you. Work out how many tiles you need for each section and don’t worry about offcuts – it’s best to assume you won’t use offcuts in other sections in case they don’t cut cleanly. Contemporary Bathroom by Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP SaveEmail For example, if you have a shower wall that’s 2.2m high and 1.4m wide with tiles that are 60cm x 30cm, and you’re tiling them horizontally, that’s 8 tiles up and 3 tiles across, so you’ll need 24 tiles for that section. Add all the sections together and add 10% for wastage (multiply your total by 1.1) then that’s how many you need to order. Don’t worry if you’re tiling them diagonally, as the area covered will still be more or less the same – just be generous when estimating.
Like the floor tiles
wall texture
like the arches, not curved or squared off
Good contrast of modern and trad styles
Love this wallpaper
love the unit for the basin
I like the dimensions of the window surround
Whilst I don't like this style at all - it is a good idea to have a shower bench that continues outside the shower to leave your dry clothes on
Good use of bathroom corners
Another good corner idea if stuck with plumbing
like the colour
Epoxy grout. It is more expensive, unwieldy to work with and stinks. But epoxy grout has a big benefit over its sanded and nonsanded cousins: It makes it difficult for mildew to grow, and liquids have a hard time penetrating it. We have been installing it frequently in master showers and at kitchen backsplashes (where food and grease can splatter) with great results.
Good colour: This mellow shade of green is Farrow & Ball's Ball Green 25.
Good tiles on one wall
Oxygenated bleach (like OxiClean) • Warm water • Coarse scrubbing brush (like an old toothbrush) • Towel • Lemon • Grout sealer Tip: Cleaning colored grout should be done with special care. Bleaching agents (like chlorine bleach) can discolor and harm the colored grout. Fortunately, oxygenated bleach does not contain corrosive chemicals and is safe to use on all grout. Add to ideabook by Meg Padgett 1. Clean the surface thoroughly, removing any surface residue or debris. Let the grout dry fully. 2. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of oxygenated bleach in 2 cups of warm water. Wet the brush in the mixture and apply it to the grout. Let it soak in, then scrub the grout in a circular motion, which will loosen the stain more effectively than a front-and-back motion. If needed, dip the wet brush into the oxygenated bleach to make a paste. Wipe clean, then let dry. Tip: To lift extra-dark stains, squeeze lemon juice onto the stain, let it soak in, then scrub, wipe clean and let the grout dry. Use lemon juice sparingly, since it can damage some tile finishes.
Love this idea of building in the washing bags
Like the architrave around the window
like these sconces
placement of taps
Q