Latest Designer Bathroom Ideas and How To Guides for your Home

There are many factors which come together to create the cohesive design of a remodelled bathroom. You will have spent time meticulously choosing the perfect bathroom suite and accompanying décor. After these main attractions are in place, you can turn your attention to the finishing touches whose aim is to bring the design of the bathroom together. It may be that you choose accessories which will make a startling impact when entering the room. However, accessories can also serve a more productive purpose, for example making a small room look bigger or creating light. You should consider all possible accessories from mirrors and shelving to tiling and lighting.

It is common for bathrooms to have very little natural light, if any at all and so most bathrooms require a helping hand in the lighting department. Light supplies should be used to full effect. A very popular choice in bathrooms are spotlights which can create bright light while looking stylish, sleek and modern. Mirrors also help to reflect light and can make a smaller room appear larger. Mirrors can also make a statement but you should make sure that they are proportionate to the size of the room.

Tiles can also create a focal point within a bathroom, whether or not you choose to opt for classic white ceramic tiles or splash out with colour or design.  If you choose to go down the coloured route, you can accessorise with towels and candles and vases in the same colour. If you opt for white then you are free to change your colour palette for accessories as and when you choose.

The convenience of a shower is definitely one of its big selling points but more and more these days, showers are actually becoming the focal point of bathrooms. Many people are opting to get rid of their bath altogether and install a stand-alone shower cubicle. There has never been a better range of options available. Showers and shower enclosures can now be the epitome of style. Of course, even if you have an over bath shower, which is a necessity when space is at a premium, there are still many options for modernising this arrangement with an abundance of shower screens on the market.

The options for a stand-alone shower cubicle are plentiful. They come in a range of sizes, styles, shapes and colours and can be constructed from many different materials. Obviously the options available to you depend on the space you have available but even if you feel that you have limited space, many manufacturers actually offer a bespoke service with made to measure enclosures. However, you do need to bear in mind that there has to be enough room for you to shower in the cubicle!

As with any bathroom feature, if you have a larger budget then there are more extravagant choices available to you including shower enclosures for more than one person or seated cubicles where you can sit and relax while the water flows over you. One thing is for sure, there is a shower enclosure out there to suit you no matter what your requirements are.

Electric underfloor heating is a type of radiant heating. In contrast to water filled radiator heating, or older forms of heating such as wood, coal, oil or gas stoves, which convect heat into currents, underfloor heating emits the heat at floor level, which spreads heat out more efficiently and with a longer-lasting effect. This effect is due to the heat absorption of the floor as well as the objects in the room. With normally convected heat rising too far too quickly to be useful for most of the time, radiant heat rises more slowly through the material space in which it is installed, meaning that the heat is used to a fuller extent and permeates the room more effectively.

Electric underfloor heating technology typically consists of heating cables, mats or film heating elements. The former two are primarily designed for tiled, stone or concrete flooring, the latter for wooden or laminate flooring.

Under tile heating cables or mats are relatively unobtrusive forms of material, meaning that the level of the floor does not have to be raised for them to be incorporated. Heating cables can be laid in any formation by the installer. Installation can be contracted out to a professional firm or completed on a DIY basis. Underfloor heating kits can be bought which contain the material for a full DIY installation.  Final connecting up will need to be done by a registered plumber or electrician.

For wooden floors, film heating produces a relatively lower heat than that generated by cables or mats. Electric underfloor heating can be the sole source of heat in a room, which means that no unsightly radiators need take up useful wall space.

It may be that you are considering upgrading your standard bath to a whirlpool bath for that ultimate indulgence. This is not necessarily a more expensive option than a standard bath and even if you have a rather tight space available you should find that there is a whirlpool bath on the market to meet your requirements.

Whirlpool baths actually come in a variety of styles, sizes and shapes. They actually range from standard bath sizes right up to spa-size. Some whirlpool baths are even built for two people to enjoy together – very romantic! Many are also built with comfort and luxury in mind and include arm rests and head rests. Others have moulded seats or include in-built lights so that you can relax in the epitome of style and sophistication. You can even put the rest of the bathroom lights out and let your troubles whirl away.

When you are making your choice it is worth remembering that, as with any bath, the larger the whirlpool bath you choose the longer it will take to fill up. These baths are also incredibly heavy when filled and this is an important consideration particularly in an upstairs bathroom as you would need to ensure that your floor has the load-bearing capacity to withstand it.

Of course at the heart of every whirlpool are the jets which provide the bubbling motion. Obviously larger baths have more jets and therefore more bubbles but different models will also have the jets located in alternative locations. Jets located in the backrest can actually provide a blissful massage feature for your back.

Bathroom suites have the potential to offer a huge amount of versatility and are able to fit in with any possible design idea that you may have. The key to good bathroom design is minimalism; removing anything from the bathroom that does not really need to be there.

One of the most popular bathroom suites is the white bathroom suite design. Bathrooms are often complemented by the calming effect of a white bathroom suite, supported by a warming wall colour that fits in with the taste and style of your dream idea of what your bathroom suite should look like.

With many new-build homes now incorporating small bathrooms into their designs, minimalist white bathroom suites undoubtedly fit the criteria, as they make the space appear larger and brighter.

In opting for a white bathroom suite you are giving the opportunity to work with a blank canvas, as white goes with pretty much every colour; therefore you are able to complement your bathroom with a splash of colour that is suited to your style and taste.

Bathroom accessories or well chosen bathroom furniture can also accentuate and bring to life all white bathroom suites. You can add designer radiators or standard bathroom radiators; you could even just have just a shower cubicle or shower enclosure without the need for a bath at all.

The possibilities with white bathroom suites are endless and to add that touch of style you can consider decorative basin taps, bath taps and a focal point bathroom mirror, which will go a long way to bringing your minimalist white bathroom suite to life.

Over recent years there have been many revolutionary changes in the design of bathroom taps and basin taps, which have made them easier to operate and simpler to maintain.

Rising-spindle taps – with this type of tap a washer is fitted to the base of a spindle, whereby the washer will ascend, allowing a flow of water from the taps. It is a tried and tested mechanism that can last for a long period of time, whether fitted to a bathroom sink or the bathtub.

Non-rising-spindle taps – with regard to this type of tap, they should pose less of a problem in comparison to the rising-spindle bathroom taps, because the mechanism imposes less stress on the washer. In reality, however, given the delicate nature of the spindle thread, this mechanism is subject to wear and has resulted in the displacement of the mechanism over time.

Ceramic-disc taps – in reference to this style of tap, precision-ground ceramic discs are used in preference to the standard rubber option. Used in a two disc format, one disc is set in place and the other disc acts as a rotary mechanism. Once the discs are in alignment the water channels are then opened to receive water through the tap spout. Due to the precision fit of the discs, there is little opportunity for hard water scale or other potential fragments to affect the performance of the mechanism.

Types of tap that include these mechanisms are capstan-head taps, which are produced for period style bathrooms, lever-head taps, which are useful for those who have difficulty in using other bathroom taps and mixer taps where hot and cold water are channelled to allow water flow through a common spout.

There are two methods of underfloor heating: either warm water is circulated through pipes, or electrical current is passed through cables. Many people choose water underfloor heating because it can easily be run from an existing boiler which makes it both economical and simple. Often it is run in addition to conventional heating. Modern condensing boilers are perfect for the job as floor heating requires water at a lower temperature than conventional systems. This is usually around 50 degrees rather than 60 or more for traditional radiators.

The running costs of an underfloor heating kit are usually lower than conventional heating, and it is less work to install. Electric underfloor heating is usually more economical for small areas such as a bathroom or a conservatory, and wet systems for larger areas. There are individual thermostats for each room or zone, giving great flexibility and allowing the independent heating control required by Building Regulations in conservatories. Despite the components costing a little more, they tend to be very durable and low maintenance. In a wet system, water flows through one long pipe with no joints which could leak, and all the valves and electrical components are usually hidden in a cupboard. These are all strong reasons for choosing water or electric underfloor heating.

As well as being efficient, underfloor heating can be ecologically friendly too. Water underfloor heating can be run with solar panels, or even geothermal heat pumps that use underground heat.

Along with all other bathroom accessories or bathroom furniture, the bathroom mirror comes in a multitude of styles and designs from which to choose.

An illuminated bathroom mirror will either have lights attached to the top, or have a cabinet that opens with another mirror on the inside, around which there will be lights. There are even some that are framed by LED lights and in the right bathroom supporting the right theme and style, they can look very attractive.

Another variation of bathroom mirrors is the bathroom mirror cabinet. These mirrors are a dual combination, consisting of a mirror and a medicine cabinet all built into one functional piece of bathroom furniture. These mirrors are very useful in bathrooms with little space and they not only provide a bathroom mirror, but also an alternative storage facility. The bathroom mirror cabinet proves to be very popular in one-bedroom room apartments or small houses with smaller family bathroom suites.  Bathroom mirrors that are flush to the wall, without a cabinet are also an option. If you are looking to purchase a bathroom mirror from this category then this is when the options open up.

There are many ideas to choose from including; wood framed mirrors, ceramic framed mirrors with complicated designs, stone framed mirrors, or square, oval or round mirrors. 

Yet whatever your taste or style, make sure you choose the bathroom mirror that is suited to the ambience of your bathroom. Usually the bathroom mirror can become the feature focal point of your bathroom so ensure that it is in keeping with your theme.

Bath taps can be fashionable as well as functional and come in a huge variety of different styles and finishes, as well as meeting all levels of budget requirements.

When choosing your bath taps be certain to check the quality, particularly if you are buying for the long term. Chromium-plated brass taps are the most durable. Also check that the taps you are considering will fit the holes in your chosen appliance.

Choosing the right bath taps is an important step when it comes to finalising your bathroom furniture. Whether you are aiming for a bathroom refurbishment, or simply looking to replace those old looking bath taps, there are many factors that could influence your final decision including style, appearance, durability and price.

If you’re installing a new bath, it’s much easier to fit the new bath taps before the unit is put into position as this will provide easier access to hard-to-reach nuts.

When replacing bath taps, you will want to use the existing plumbing if possible, but disconnecting old, corroded fittings can be difficult. Apply some penetrating oil to the tap connectors and the back nuts that clamp the bath taps to the bath. While the oil takes effect, shut off the cold and hot water supply to the taps.

Even when you have disconnected the pipe work and back-nut, you may find that the bath taps are stuck in place with putty. Break the seal by striking the bath tap tails lightly with a wooden mallet. Clean the remnants of putty from around the holes in the bath and then fit new bath taps.

A shower enclosure or a shower over the bath needs to be equipped with some way of preventing water spraying out onto the floor. A shower enclosure can come in many forms, whether it is a hanging waterproof fabric curtain on a curtain track, or a tubular shower rail across the entrance, through to a stylish glass shower enclosure. Whilst the fabric curtain shower enclosure provides the cheapest and simplest method as a shower enclosure, it is by no means the most suitable for a power shower.

For a more satisfactory shower enclosure and most certainly the more attractive option, it is perhaps best to use a metal-framed glass or plastic panelled unit.  Hinged, sliding, or concertina doors operate within an adaptable frame fixed to the top of the shower tray. Bed the lower track onto mastic to make a waterproof joint with the shower tray and once you have completed the shower enclosure run mastic between the framework and the surrounding walls.

Many bathrooms nowadays consist of a bath/shower setup. For instance, a walk in shower enclosure is simply a shower that is separated from the rest of the bathroom. The walk in shower enclosure does not include a bathtub, but normally a shower head and a drain in the floor. One of the greatest benefits of a walk in shower enclosure is the ease of maintenance and the easy access they provide as opposed to the conventional shower over the bath. Furthermore, walk in shower enclosures provide much more freedom in design and provide an element of style to all bathrooms.