Bathroom
There was a corner bath in the room originally, which was awkward to use. “Bathing was an issue,” says Beecroft. “The owner was finding that quite frustrating.” In its place is a standard-sized, double-ended bath, allowing two children to share the tub without either bumping into taps. Neat valves sit at the far end and the water flows in at the side.
InStil Design Limited SaveEmail The bathroom had a dark pine floor when Beecroft first saw it. “It was not practical for children, as wooden floors can get slippery,” she says. Instead, she fitted anti-slip porcelain tiles. “They have a slight texture, so if the kids do decide to run around when wet, they will be safer.”
Private screening It’s a case of stealing the show with this decorative bamboo bathroom screen, but wait, I hear you cry, won’t it be damaged by moisture and mould? No, the lengths of bamboo have been embedded into a resin panel keeping the bamboo canes dry and their lovely knotty texture always visible.
Specialist paint Kitchens can be steamy, greasy spaces and bathrooms experience high levels of humidity and moisture, so a paint that can handle these extreme atmospheres is helpful. Kitchen and bathroom paints are typically super-tough and wipeable, can withstand steam and have a grease- and mould-resistant formula, so your walls will look fresher for longer.
ay goodbye to a separate shower and bath If you’re planning on renovating your bathroom, a simple way to free up floor space is to ditch the idea of having a separate bath and shower, and work a shower-bath combo into the design instead. This space-enhancing trick will allow you to enjoy the best of both worlds – without compromising on your bathing needs and preferences – while providing more room for storage, as well as floor space to move around, too. When it comes to choosing where to position your shower-bath, it may be easier (and more cost effective) to install a showerhead over your bath, rather than moving it to a completely different spot altogether, as doing so will save you from making extensive changes to your existing plumbing.
Small-space impact. Even in a tiny bathroom, a decent bath is irresistible for adults, teens, tweens and toddlers. The minimum dimensions of an average-sized bath are roughly 1525mm (long), 720mm (wide) and 400mm (deep). Even in a small space, design shouldn’t be ignored. This bathroom’s industrial-style lighting and subway wall tiles add an urban edge, while the penny round floor tiles are durable, easy to clean and – most importantly – safe when wet.
Jervo Renovations SaveEmail Create the illusion of space with a punchy colour or pattern Don’t be afraid of experimenting with bold colours and patterns in your small bathroom. When used correctly, they can deceive the eye into thinking a tight space is bigger than it is, rather than making it feel cramped and closed in. The secret to using this design trick successfully is to use the colour or pattern on an accent wall or the floor, which will draw attention away from the dimensions of the room. These focal points will also direct the eye toward the ceiling or floor, across the walls or to the back of the area, which will create the illusion of a taller, wider or longer space. This small bathroom provides a great example of this design trick in action. Notice how the green mosaic feature wall draws the eye into the room and upwards, adding depth and height to the space. The attention-grabbing accent wall also takes the focus away from the narrow width of the room.
Splash out on slimline furnishings and fixtures When choosing fixtures for your bathroom, avoid oversized or bulky bathware that will crowd the room and take up precious space. Select slimline fixtures and storage that complement the room’s diminutive dimensions instead, such as the compact vanity, minimalist tapware and slender towel rail that are used in this tight space. Decking out your bathroom with wall-mounted bathware and cabinetry will also make the space feel bigger and will free up room for foot traffic. Plus, by raising these design features off the floor, the room will be much easier to clean, too.
Maximise your wall space While vanities and freestanding shelves and cabinets do provide useful storage, they can eat up valuable bathroom real estate and visually weigh down a room. An easy fix is to use your walls for storage, rather than opting for bulky furniture that clutters up your floor. This small bath zone demonstrates three ways you can put your walls to work. Here, a mirrored cabinet provides ample storage for medicine and grooming essentials, while a recessed shelf in the shower offers a handy spot to stash bath and hair products. A column of wall-mounted timber shelves round out the practical set-up, and provide a place to store decorative accents and items that should be kept within easy reach.
Choose space-savvy storage It’s important to keep clutter at bay in small bathrooms, otherwise the area can quickly become cramped, disorganised and chaotic. One way to overcome this problem is to incorporate space-savvy storage, such as deep drawers and pull-out shelves, into your bath zone so you have plenty of room to store bathroom essentials and other bits and bobs. Consider fitting out your drawers and shelves with organiser trays and baskets, too. They will help you maximise your storage space and ensure it remains neat and easy to navigate.
If you desire a more dynamic look for your small bathroom, stick with a white base but add touches of lively colour here and there. Small pops of colour will infuse the area with character, without compromising the room-enhancing effect of the simple scheme. Alternatively, rather than using crisp white as your base, try a barely-there neutral or pastel shade instead. Soft hues such as dove grey, powder blue and dusty pink will also expand your space visually, plus they offer personality and interest, too.
Opt for an all-white palette There’s a reason why white is a go-to colour for designers when decorating a tight space – it’s bright, fresh and will bounce light around a room, creating the illusion of spaciousness. All-white palettes can sometimes look cold and clinical, so if you’re thinking of using this pared-back scheme in your small bathroom, introduce different patterns and textures to breathe life and personality into the space. This compact bath zone shows how it’s done. Here, mini subway tiles line the walls and add a punch of visual interest and industrial flair to the room. A floral lace-like shower curtain balances the cool, urban look of the tiles and infuses the scheme with a hint of chic appeal, while chevron-patterned towels offer another layer of contrast and tactile appeal. The result is a small bathroom that’s light, full of life and looks larger than it really is.
Lay down large-format tiles Create the illusion of spaciousness in your pint-sized bathroom by installing large-format floor and wall tiles. This compact bath proves just how effective this design trick can be. Long, rectangular feature tiles line the wall and draw the eye from one side of the room to the other, making the narrow space appear wider. Large floor tiles in a rich chocolate hue ground and add depth to the space, and also help to visually expand the room. Notice, too, how the glossy finish of both the floor and wall tiles enhances the feeling of space. Another benefit of incorporating large-format tiles into your small bathroom is that they are easier to clean, as there’s more tile and less grout to scrub.
Try a shower-bath combo If your bathroom is short on square metres, one way to make the room feel more spacious is to replace your separate shower and tub with a compact shower-bath combo. This will give you space for extra storage or keep it free so you have more room to move around. Best of all, there’s no need to go without your nightly soak in the tub or long, relaxing shower each morning.
Install a cavity door Reclaim floor space in your compact bathroom by replacing your standard hinged swinging door with one that slides into a cavity in your wall. These space-savvy doors will not only free up valuable floor and wall space but also make the room easier to access (particularly for children or people with restricted mobility, including those who use a wheelchair) and optimise traffic flow.
“The bathroom is more minimalist, with the bath hidden, encircled in wood,” explain the architects. The plumbing comes from Zuchetti and the flat sink is custom made in stone to echo the flooring. “We also placed a big horizontal mirror on the wall to give the room a dynamic line,” they add.
Flip up to make up drawer, so clever!
Mix textures in the bathroom Enhance the tactile experience of a room by introducing contrasting textures into the space. Take a look at this contemporary Industrial-style bathroom – don’t you just want to touch the exposed brick wall, run your hand along the smooth counter and sink your feet into the shaggy floor mat? Notice how the winning combination of rustic and modern materials creates visual interest, and makes the bathing zone feel warm and inviting, too.
Like the wooden stumps to hold products next to the bath
Go for a concrete basin Simplicity is key when it comes to choosing a basin. A long trough would look amazing, but take this one step further and opt for a sizeable cast concrete or natural soapstone basin instead
Limit your colour palette For a bathroom with a lot of different surfaces, minimise competition between patterns by choosing a restricted colour palette. By sticking to grey and white throughout, this shower scheme feels elegant and cohesive
Juxtapose matt and gloss Get away with combining similarly sized tiles and busy patterns by choosing one matt style and one shiny. These high-gloss, bevelled-edged metro tiles work beautifully with the soft waxy-looking finish of the monochrome floor tiles.
Combine matt finishes For a bathroom with tactile appeal, choose two types of matt tile and break up large areas with an alternative surface, such as this exposed brick, or with plain painted walls.
Treat stone as a neutral Floor-to-ceiling metro tiles with grey grout make a statement in this super-sized shower. To soften the graphic grout lines, as well as to create cohesive design, pair with natural grey stone. This adds visual interest to a neutral pattern that doesn’t try to compete.
Play with scale One of the most important tips for maximising tile-mixing prowess is to create balance by choosing one small-scale pattern and one large. In this bathroom, three different tile types are combined successfully: tiny hexagonal mosaics on the bath and walls, medium hexagonal tiles on the basin surround and large rectangular tiles on the floor. The monochrome palette helps to create a harmonious whole.
Pair pattern with plain Restrict your use of patterned tiles to one surface – either the floor or a feature wall. Here, contemporary hexagonal tiles take centre stage, while the large-scale rectangular wall tiles provide a light-enhancing glossy background.
Balance busy patterns Use small statement tiles, such as these rectangular mosaics, to create a feature on a splashback or other small area, rather than across an entire room. Combine with large-scale plain tiles and you’ll avoid a scheme that makes your eyes go funny!
Near the bathroom vanity What did us ladies do before hair straighteners? Or you fellas without electric razors? Don’t let your morning routine be thrown out because you have to share a powerpoint with your better half! Take the time to think through what devices you use in the bathroom and how frequently you use them. Ensure you install your sockets within arm’s reach of the vanity and mirror – no one can do a good blow-dry without looking in the mirror.
Team with a sleek vanity with large drawers to house your cosmetics and products and you have the makings for a super-slick bathroom space!
Bathrooms are great because they have mirrors, and mirrors naturally increase the feeling of space in a room. They are also also a fantastic place for storage. If you are building and can plan for it, partially recess overhead cabinetry into the wall. This means the cupboards won’t encroach on your bathroom space, and you get the benefit of the additional depth of storage!
Organise your cupboards It sounds very simple, and in reality it is a simple strategy, but it needs to be reinforced periodically. Sort through your cupboard and group like with like, keeping things you use more often in places that are easier to access. Keep any extras, maybe things you buy in bulk, out of the bathroom in a bigger storage space to keep your cabinet clutter-free. It will help you use things up first before starting the next bottle.
Get rid of old cosmetics Did you know cosmetics and make-up have use-by dates? It’s important not to use products that are years out of date, particularly creams and foundations you put on your face. With make-up, there’s also another factor to consider. As the years go by and fashions change, so do our tastes. It’s ok to let go of that bright pink lipstick you liked three years ago and haven’t used since – keeping it will only take up valuable storage space.
Ditch the samples If you have a stash of samples you’ve collected over time and you’ve promised yourself that one day they’ll come in useful – today is that day. Give yourself a week or two to use them all up, and then discard any that remain. If there’s something you really like, take a photo of the package or write down the name on your phone and then ditch it.
Let go of guilt Many people end up keeping bath products they’ll never use on the off chance that, ‘one day’… Perhaps it was a present you don’t like but feel you should keep? Or an impulsive choice you regret, but you want to make the most of the money you’ve spent? If you haven’t used it in the past month, you won’t miss it when it’s gone. Ask a friend if they want it, donate it (if it’s in good condition), or just simply throw it away. Let go of the guilt and surround yourself with things that make you happy.
Declutter before you clean To set yourself up for success in your decluttering mission, ensure you don’t make the common mistake of cleaning before you begin. It’s easy to start by dusting things off and wiping down surfaces, and before you know it you’ve spent all of your energy tidying and haven’t managed to get rid of anything in the process. You might find you don’t want to let go of anything you’ve just spent time cleaning, and you’ll just end up having to clean again once you’ve sifted through your stuff. So declutter first, then clean and tidy.
Form and function Minimalist design elements not only enhance the look of this modern family bathroom but also improve its functionality. Drawers with cut-out handles are the perfect fit for the room’s clean, streamlined style, and they’re more user friendly than cabinetry with knobs, handles or pulls that may be difficult for some (especially youngsters and elderly family members) to grip. A single-lever mixer tap is another smart, stylish and user-friendly inclusion, as people with mobility, strength and coordination problems find them easy to use. They also come in handy when you’re multitasking!
Water saver Sustainability is the name of the game in this modern family bathroom, which features water-saving fixtures including an eco-friendly bath spout, showerhead and twin mixer taps. Another way to cut down on water consumption is to choose a toilet with a high WELS rating, which means the product is very water efficient and will save you money while helping the environment.
Ainslie-Davis Construction SaveEmail 10. Easy, breezy cleaning Want to spend less time cleaning your bathroom and more time doing things you enjoy with your family? The key is to incorporate low-maintenance materials and bathware into the space. Solid-surface walls and floors are ideal if scrubbing grout is your least favourite cleaning job, and using large-format tiles is a great alternative. Opt for simple, sleek tapware, as the fewer curves, nooks and crevices they have, the easier they are to clean. Wall-mounted vanities will also allow you to mop hard-to-reach areas with ease. Good ventilation is the key to preventing mildew and mould. Improve air circulation by installing an exhaust fan or leaving your window ajar when showering. Clear glass is also notoriously hard to keep shiny and fingerprint free, so consider ditching it in favour of frosted glass.
Mirror, mirror on the walls A large mirror is essential in any family bathroom – it will make the space appear brighter and larger, and allows multiple people to get ready at once without getting in each other’s way. This cool, contemporary bathing area gets extra points for having not one, but two mirrors. The floor-to-ceiling mirror is just the thing for family members to do a full and final outfit check before running out the door.
First in glass Mixing timber with glass brings you the best of both worlds – character and warmth, and a way to invite more natural light to penetrate through a space. This one has been frosted just enough for privacy.
Sliding doors Barn doors are so hip right now, thanks to the influence of our American friends across the ocean. A great option in a bathroom if space is at a premium, or if it could use a little extra personality. Black door hardware can bring out the best in any barn door.
Clutter buster When your lotions and potions are littered all over the shower floor or perched perilously in a cheap shower caddy, it’s never going to look as appealing as inset storage like this. It’s the small things in life that make us feel good.
Colour chart A bathroom needn’t be light and bright to be relaxing – a more moody colour scheme in darker shades can achieve the same result.
Clean lines This bathroom soothes the soul because it’s completely free of fuss and clutter. Hidden storage and a floating vanity add to the feeling of space.
When redesigning your new bathroom, try to position the shower, bath and vanity above an existing floor waste. This will save extra work for your builder and subsequently save you money. The layout of the bathroom pictured is a great example of how a walk-in shower can work really well, and because it cleverly uses the wasted space in front of the bath, rather than carving out a new zone, it wouldn’t cost any more than installing a conventional shower, or a shower over the bath. Also having no shower tray or raised steps to clean is a huge bonus. A quick mop of the floor on cleaning day and you’re done! The vanity area is kept dry with the addition of a frameless glass shower screen, which almost disappears from the space, and makes it feel open and spacious.
Walk-in shower A walk-in shower is a lusted after luxury by many of my clients, especially those who are currently living with a shower over their bath or a shower that they have to step into over a raised step (called a hob). Usually when my clients think walk-in shower, they assume it’s probably not possible in their bathroom, usually due to the limited space they have. But where there’s a will there’s a way, and often the layout of your bathroom can be altered to accommodate a walk-in shower without losing your precious bath.
have undisputed hotel-style appeal, and a much more appealing offer to wake up to than most showers. If you are planning a complete overhaul of your bathroom, adding a rainwater showerhead mounted from the ceiling is relatively simple. When the bathroom has been stripped back to its bare bones, the plumber can run the plumbing pipes up your wall and across the ceiling to the desired location for the showerhead. BONUS TIP: Look for a showerhead that has easy-to-clean silicone jets and, most importantly, one that carries a high WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme) rating. Many of my clients shy away from rain showerheads because they have been led to believe that they are extremely water inefficient. When you are shopping for showerheads, it’s worth noting that standard showerheads use about 15 to 25 litres of water per minute, whereas a three star WELS rated water efficient showerhead uses as little as six or seven litres per minute, saving you a lot of money on your water bill.
Freestanding bath Freestanding baths spell absolute luxury. Picture this: a large engrossing tub, fragrant bubbles, a good book and a glass of wine … heaven! If I lost you while you moved on to think about the cost, read on. This is where shopping around comes into play. Freestanding baths were once rare and over-priced, but these days many manufacturers offer really affordable options. Yes, there are some very expensive freestanding baths out there, and yes, you are correct in thinking that these designs are generally more expensive than an inset bath that you build in and tile around, but don’t rule them out until you’ve done your research and compared the market around you. BONUS TIP: Opt for a model that sits directly on the floor like this one, as opposed to one that sits on legs (like a clawfoot bath) so your new luxury bathroom is easy to clean.
Gently does it. This soft stylish bathroom uses subtle texture to great effect. Sticking to one colour prevents it from becoming too dramatic.
Totally touchable. Mosaics could be just the right choice for your bathroom if you want a modern design. Multicoloured mosaic tiles add just enough texture to be interesting.
Stone age. Edging a wall with stacked stone tiles gives the effect of a rugged stone wall, but soothes the senses with smooth surfaces while you shower.
Fluidesign Studio SaveEmail Vision splendid. Floor tiles such as these give off a textured effect through their shape and variation in colour – they’re worth considering if you don’t want to go all the way with raised tiles.
Organic element. Walking barefoot is a must in this unique bathroom; who needs reflexology when your feet can get all the health-giving benefits they require from a pebbled floor. Continuing the texture-rich effect up the walls creates an effect that’s positively spa-like.
Ensuite envy This light-filled bathroom is beautiful, but what is it that makes it so? Each element is lovely in its own right – the chair, vanity, bath and even the rug – but those honey-coloured floorboards extending from the bedroom into the bathroom make it positively peachy.
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