Latest Designer Bathroom Ideas and How To Guides for your Home

Choosing the right bathroom furniture is what will be the deciding factor when it comes to the style of your bathroom. Of course, as much of the bathroom furniture around today was non-existent during the time period from which traditional bathrooms have been designed, the range of options may seem quite limited when compared to modern styles.

However, there still will be an attractive range of styles to choose from that will complement any old-style bathroom. There is some luxurious and extravagantly designed bathroom furniture, such as the many beech and oak basin cupboards that are available.

Out of all the wood finishes on the market, a dark shade of oak has proven to be the most popular choice. If you are looking to recreate a Victorian bathroom, this will be the most recommended option and it will also work well with Edwardian styles, especially when it comes to matching other accessories and fittings such as toilet seat covers.

But even if the cost of some of the bathroom furniture on the market is a little above budget, creating your own traditional look will be easier than you think. It is well worth looking out for older furniture in antique shops and car boot sales that could be fitted into your bathroom. As long as it is in good condition, is properly treated and suits the style you are going for, this will easily be the most cost effective choice. However, installing basins around existing furniture can be quite tricky and it is always best to seek help from a professional.

Bathroom mirror heaters can be a useful addition to your bathroom if you are tired of your mirrors steaming up. Mirror heaters are easy to install and some come with a protective covering which you simply peel off, place on the back of the mirror and then connect to the power supply.

Bathroom mirror heaters have low voltage panels, meaning that they can work with low voltage floor heating systems. The double insulated panels allow the mirrors to heat up as in as quickly as five minutes. Mirror heaters are safe to use and are particularly suitable for areas such as the bathroom, where there are more likely to be frequently wet areas.

To properly install the mirror heater, you will need tools such as wire cutters, wire strippers, masking tape and an electric drill. Installation should be straightforward if the instructions are followed correctly. When cutting the wires for connection you need to take care not to cut them too short. If you are unsure of how to install then it is a good idea to seek the help of someone who is experienced with these types of installations.

Mirror heaters are a great convenience for those who use their bathroom mirrors for shaving or to apply make up. Mist is unlikely to build up if you already have an extractor fan in your bathroom, however if you do not have any type of ventilation for your bathroom and you use the shower regularly, then bathroom mirror heaters are the ideal option.

If you have any experience or knowledge of fitting bathroom fixtures, it can be a good idea to install each of the components yourself to keep down the cost. However, installing a toilet in your bathroom is perhaps the hardest task to undertake, and if you don’t do it correctly it could lead to problems.

If you are creating an entirely new bathroom, the first factor you should take into consideration is where the toilet and cistern should be placed. Ideally it is best to have it against an external wall where it is within easy reach of the waste system. It is also recommended to have a space of at least 50cm between the bathroom sink or shower enclosure. If you are connecting the toilet to an existing pipe, it is worth using a flexible pan connector that will be able to move around tight corners. It is vital that you have the right angle for this pipe, so it is gently sloping down to the existing pipe work.

Once you have found the right location, mark the holes that you will be drilling on the floor. Then bolt down the base, without tightening it fully. Once it is in place it will be time to connect the cistern. A rubber gasket will sit in between the base of the toilet and the cistern, which is then secured in place with bolts at the back. Returning to the base of the toilet, fully tighten the bolts to fix it to the floor.

If in any doubt about this kind of work always employ a professional plumber.

Bathroom accessories will often be the deciding factor when it comes to the class and style of your traditional bathroom. Fortunately there are a wide range of different accessories – as well as different styles – to choose from, but what’s most important is that they match the design and time period of the rest of your bathroom furniture and components.

Traditional clothes hooks are a popular choice, even in more modern bathrooms, and are a cheap way of adding a finishing touch your room. There will be a variety of different finishes to choose from, such as gold-coloured, white ceramic, beech and oak that will all look good, depending on what else is in your bathroom.

For more old-style bathrooms, such as the Edwardian and Victorian designed suites, towel rings will not be a popular choice, but single-bar towel rails will look good with any style. Soap dishes and toilet roll holders will be another great option for adding a touch of period elegance to your bathroom without breaking the budget, and can come in a range of finishes, such as steel, wood and white ceramic. Toothbrush and tumbler holders are also widely available, but are not really distinguishing features of a Victorian or Edwardian bathroom. 

Finding the right bathroom accessories won’t be hard, but it will be well worth looking around for the best deal, as prices can vary dramatically, especially in comparison to fittings for modern bathrooms. It is also highly recommended to choose bathroom accessories from the same manufacturer, in order to ensure there is a consistent theme.

When installing a sink into your bathroom, the type of basin will be a deciding factor in the process. Pedestal, corner or inset basins are just some of the options available and will each come with their own installation methods. However, there are some basic rules that should always be followed.

Finding the right location for your bathroom sink will be the primary concern and wherever you choose it is recommended that the pipes connected to the sink are no more than 3 metres away from the main waste drain. When installing the pipe work there should be a fall of at least a quarter of an inch for every foot of pipe.

Most bathroom sinks are installed at a position between 28 and 32 inches from the ground and it is recommended that you carefully mark measurements on the wall with a pencil and use a spirit level for accuracy.

When connecting the fittings, such as the basin taps, it is best to do this before putting the sink permanently into place. If you block off access to the rear of the basin it will prove more difficult to fit the taps correctly.

Basin taps and drainage pipes should be connected to the sink with the correct fittings, and the proper washers and sealant should be used. It is vital that the drainage pipe is fitted correctly in order for the overflow system to function properly. Also worth noting is that there is a British Standard for your basin taps as well as the bathroom sink, so make sure all components meet these requirements.

For modern bathrooms, the range of options when it comes to tiling will mean you are certain to achieve your own unique style. However, if you are trying to match your bathroom tiles to your existing furniture, as well as your basin and bath taps, it will be important to pick a colour and design that will complement them.

Easily the most popular finish for modern bathroom fittings is chrome, which is also the most versatile when it comes to blending in with other colours. Of course, white is always a safe option to choose and is a good recommendation for bathrooms with little natural light. But if you can get away with using darker colours you can achieve a more vibrant and lively contrast. Light blues and greens will be a more neutral alternative if you don’t want to stretch to extremes.

The size and shape of tiles is also another factor to take into consideration. In modern bathrooms, the latest trend has been to install large tiling that will add to the sleek and minimalist feel. These types of tiles will come in either a rectangular or square shape and are mainly used for their finish rather than as an attractive and noticeable feature.

But for anyone working on a budget, it will be far cheaper to paint the majority of the wall space in your bathroom. Floor tiles are usually less expensive than wall varieties and fitting tiles around your bathroom sink, shower cubicle or bath could be all that is required.

Underfloor heating systems have been in use for centuries. Records and evidence indicates that such systems were in use as early as during the Roman Empire. There are also remains of such technology in Asia and throughout Europe dating from centuries ago.

Today, with advancing technology, underfloor heating systems continue to enjoy much popularity among homeowners. As the technology continues to advance, consumers continue to benefit from more cost-effective products and more-efficient outcomes.

There are two types of underfloor heating systems available for homeowners to choose from. One is the hot water system and the other is the electrical system. The electrical system is quite self-explanatory. The hot water system is more complex and has a range of different options from which homeowners can choose.

The hot water system, as its name suggests, utilises hot water that is circulated, under pressure through a network of pipes that are laid in the floor. The quality and cost of this type of system depends not only on the type of pipe used, but also on the different resistances offered by different types of pipes. For example, an expensive pipe has an initial outlay cost that can be prohibitive to some consumers. Likewise, pipes that offer more resistance, generate more heat, but also require more energy and the systems are therefore more expensive to run.

Prospective underfloor heating consumers have a range of pipes to choose from, including Alupex, PEX and polybutylene. Likewise, these pipes come in a range of sizes. The type of the pipe and the size of the pipe ultimately affect the initial cost of the system as well as the ongoing cost of producing effective heat generation.

It may seem like a simple task, but knowing where and how to hang your bathroom mirror will be vital in ensuring you get the most out of it and the most out of your bathroom.

If you are lucky enough to have plenty of natural light in your bathroom, it is recommended to get the mirror as close to the window as you can. It is a well known fact that fluorescent bulbs and other indoor lighting devices don’t give off the right strength of light and when you are applying make-up, or the mirror is being used for shaving, you will need a good light source.

Of course, the majority of bathroom mirrors will hang over the basin, but if you do find that there is not enough natural light in that area, it is worthwhile hanging a second mirror closer to the window. Also highly recommended for any small bathroom is to fit a second larger mirror, which will be a great way to give the perception of extra space.

Although hanging a bathroom mirror seems fairly straightforward, not doing it correctly can result in a small catastrophe. No matter what the size of your mirror it is always best to use strong wall plugs that will allow fixing screws to be fitted into the wall as securely as possible.

If you are faced with a larger mirror that you want to hang on a hollow stud-work wall, it will be necessary to use specially designed plugs that will open up on the inside of the wall to allow secure fixing.

Thanks to a highly competitive market, there is now a wide range of bathroom designs that offer a wealth of different bath taps to suit people on a budget. But if you are designing your own bathroom from scratch and are looking to reduce the cost, you will find that the majority of budget bath taps will be based on modern styles. Traditional style bath taps, as well as other bathroom accessories, usually come at a higher price, and anything at the cheaper end the market is usually not of good quality.

When it comes to finish, chrome is easily the most common in the budget range, whereas other finishes, such as brass, will be more expensive. Fortunately, simplistic and modern designs are currently the trend, and it is also relatively cheap to manufacture these styles.

If you are stuck for space, and perhaps also want to save money on labour cost, a single bloc mixer (where both the hot and cold water is connected to one tap) will be ideal. However, if your bath has already been fitted with separate taps, it would be worth your while sticking to this style, as the cost of a new bath could be quite high.

Another way that you can save money when designing your bathroom is to have a showerhead connected to your bath taps. Not only will this save you installing a power shower, but you can also forego the cost of having a shower enclosure installed.

Bathroom accessories will give that finishing touch to your room and can be as varied as the many bath and basin taps that are on offer. Towel rings are perhaps the most common accessories to find and they come in a range of styles to match either modern or traditional bathrooms.

Other popular wall-mounted accessories include soap dishes, towel rails, clothes hooks and, of course, a bathroom mirror. Glass shelves are always a popular choice for modern bathrooms, but if you are going for a more traditional setting, hanging storage baskets will add an authentic touch and are also easy to come by.

If your bathroom does not have a shower cubicle, there is a wide range of sleek and attractive shower curtains available for over the bath showers that will also match any design. And if you have a flat-rim bath, another option worth considering is a glass screen that will look a lot more appealing. These are simple to install and will be also be easy to keep clean.

Perhaps not as necessary as the items above, but still offering plenty of style, are glass tumbler holders which sit above the basin. As many designer makes can be bought for as little as £10, this can be a cost-effective way of adding a real touch of class to your bathroom. Some versions come with two glass-holders in one, with space for holding toothbrushes and toothpaste, and will look a lot more appealing than a regular toothbrush holder standing on the basin.