Room of the Week: A Short and Sweet Apartment Bathroom Revamp
A very small bathroom is maximised, functionally and aesthetically, in this clever and calming makeover
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Brief
The bathroom had to be easy to use, and the lines had to be clean and minimal to complement the 1950s architecture (and to make this tiny space feel bigger than it actual was). As the bath was not used regularly, it was the first item to be removed. This freed up floor space and enhanced the flow as considered above.
The bathroom had to be easy to use, and the lines had to be clean and minimal to complement the 1950s architecture (and to make this tiny space feel bigger than it actual was). As the bath was not used regularly, it was the first item to be removed. This freed up floor space and enhanced the flow as considered above.
Starting point
The client required a modern, updated bathroom with clean lines to reflect the modernist architecture. It had to be easy to clean with minimal grout. Requirements included the need to maximise storage and have good lighting.
The client required a modern, updated bathroom with clean lines to reflect the modernist architecture. It had to be easy to clean with minimal grout. Requirements included the need to maximise storage and have good lighting.
Challenges worked around
It is a very small room and the door, window and wall placement were fixed. There were also plumbing constraints due to single-skin brick walls and outdated pipes, not to mention a low ceiling and poor fixture placement.
Due to the thin nature of the wall, and plumbing constraints, we built up the wall (basin elevation) in parts to allow the plumbing to be reconfigured. The added depth also allowed for ample recessed overhead mirrored wall storage, and for a niche to be built into the shower. As the overhead units provided enough storage, the basin was wall-hung with no storage underneath. This, coupled with the large-format light-coloured tiles, gave the small room the feeling of space it required.
The oversized tiles are easy to clean, as is the solid surface material of the washbasin. The lighting is also enhanced by these materials, and was therefore kept quite simple. LEDs were fixed above and below the joinery, and a sensor-activated LED was added under the basin.
It is a very small room and the door, window and wall placement were fixed. There were also plumbing constraints due to single-skin brick walls and outdated pipes, not to mention a low ceiling and poor fixture placement.
Due to the thin nature of the wall, and plumbing constraints, we built up the wall (basin elevation) in parts to allow the plumbing to be reconfigured. The added depth also allowed for ample recessed overhead mirrored wall storage, and for a niche to be built into the shower. As the overhead units provided enough storage, the basin was wall-hung with no storage underneath. This, coupled with the large-format light-coloured tiles, gave the small room the feeling of space it required.
The oversized tiles are easy to clean, as is the solid surface material of the washbasin. The lighting is also enhanced by these materials, and was therefore kept quite simple. LEDs were fixed above and below the joinery, and a sensor-activated LED was added under the basin.
Key design aspects
Colour palette: The door was painted in Dulux ‘Lexicon’ half-strength and the ceiling in quarter-strength.
Materials palette: Custom-made wall cabinet by Minosa. 500 x 500 Moov grey porcelain wall tiles from Earp Bros. Laminam Filo Brina wall tiles from Living Tiles. Pura wall-hung toilet.
Colour palette: The door was painted in Dulux ‘Lexicon’ half-strength and the ceiling in quarter-strength.
Materials palette: Custom-made wall cabinet by Minosa. 500 x 500 Moov grey porcelain wall tiles from Earp Bros. Laminam Filo Brina wall tiles from Living Tiles. Pura wall-hung toilet.
Why do you think this room works?
The renovation of this bathroom is the final piece to complete this apartment renovation, and as such this ’50s wonder is ready to live on in true modern style.
Tell us
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like the story, and join the conversation.
More
Love creative design? Check out last week’s Room of the Week: A Contemporary, Mixed-Material Living Area
The renovation of this bathroom is the final piece to complete this apartment renovation, and as such this ’50s wonder is ready to live on in true modern style.
Tell us
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like the story, and join the conversation.
More
Love creative design? Check out last week’s Room of the Week: A Contemporary, Mixed-Material Living Area
Who lives here: A professional couple who renovated the interior of the 1950s apartment except for the lone, very outdated bathroom.
Location: Mosman, NSW
Room purpose and size: A 3.5 square metre bathroom.