Latest Designer Bathroom Ideas and How To Guides for your Home

While many people nowadays opt to have a shower room rather than a bathroom, there is nothing like relaxing in a nice bath. As the bath is often the largest item in your bathroom, you will want to ensure that it fits with your aesthetic. There are many choices on the market in terms of size, colour, shape and the materials used for its construction.

Certainly the most common baths are made from porcelain enamel but there is also a market for enamelled cast iron baths. However, your plumber may not be quite as pleased with your selection since these baths are very heavy, weighing approximately 350lbs. These baths are certainly not easy to carry or manoeuvre. However, this mass is actually one of the plus points of a cast iron bath since the materials actually conduct heat thus helping to keep your bath water warmer for longer.

Also, if you have ever considered the running of a bath a rather noisy prospect, a cast iron bath is considerably quieter. Also if you are worried about changing to a cast iron bath due to the easy-cleaning of a standard porcelain enamel bath, then worry not. The cast iron bath is very easy to clean and maintain, and even with heavy scrubbing the surface will not scratch or tarnish.

Another plus point is its strength and durability. Sometimes in a porcelain enamel bath you will feel the bath moving beneath you; this will never happen in a cast iron bath, therefore you can feel safe in the knowledge that this product is built to last.

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.

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.

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.

For many people, the thought of repainting the bathroom causes a shudder of dismay. Initial reactions range from reaching for the phone book and scouring the pages for a painter and decorator, to dismissing the idea until the following year.

Yet nothing brightens up a bathroom as much as a fresh coat of paint and once you have taken the decision to go ahead with the plan, you may well be surprised at just how creative your ideas can be.

The first task is to thoroughly assess your bathroom space. What exactly would you like it to represent? Thinking of certain themes may help; a Mediterranean look would need bold primary yellows teamed with glossy white vinyl, while a smaller bathroom may well be better suited to neutral pastel shades.

Your bathroom need not be a homage to Art Deco, if you choose dark colours. Black can be very effective, especially with matching accessories, such as bamboo shower rails and towel racks. Try matching it with crimson mirror frames, bath mats and towels. Even the vanity unit or bathroom medicine cabinet could be painted a contrasting colour.

If, on the other hand, you want something airy and visually interesting, use sponges to apply paint. These allow you to gradate the colour from, perhaps, dark green at the ceiling down to a lighter shade along the skirting board.

Stencils are another effective way to make the most of your bathroom walls, particularly when placed around the corners of the room.

Travertine is great for use in the home and is ideal for use when tiling a floor in a bathroom, kitchen or shower. Popular for centuries travertine tiles are favoured because of their natural and unique colouring, patterns and long lasting capabilities, take the Colesseum in Rome built nearly two thousand years ago! Travertine is a wholly natural product and it is because of this that its natural beauty is evident. Formed when shifts thousands of years ago in the earth’s crust allow heated water to mix with calcium carbonate particles, travertine was created in large deposits and is now quarried for use in building.

Travertine tiles are ideal for cladding and for use external in patios and communal areas where their unique pattern and colouring gives a garden or public space, outside a hotel for example, a truly classical look. It is certainly true that using travertine tiles on your patio will certainly make it stand out. With its historic importance as a primary building material in ancient buildings, travertine tiles have a reputation for lasting all types of weather conditions and for being easily maintained over time.

The natural colours of travertine tiles make them particularly appealing and although in its purest form travertine tiles are white, impurities can cause the colour of travertine tiles to vary and to be yellow and brown. The choice of colour that you eventually settle upon will depend to some extent on the area where you a fitting the travertine tiles, for bathrooms or shower areas, many choose the pure white which gives the room a marble look, the important difference though, is that travertine tiles whilst looking like marble are considerably less in price.

The bathroom should be a place of calm and quiet, a personal area where you can relax in peace and contemplation and refresh both mind and body.

For centuries, the Japanese have stressed the therapeutic properties of water as an aid to harmonise the spirit and restore balance to the most troubled soul.

Even if you live in a busy city, creating a Japanese bathroom is easy. Whether you have a small or large bathroom, following a few simple steps will allow you to create a small oasis of calm in the midst of the frenetic whirl of modern life.

Japanese design is based on simplicity and nature is a constant source of inspiration. Bathrooms, therefore, should be uncluttered and minimalist. Clean, sharp lines are the order of the day and decoration is kept to a strict minimum. This makes it an ideal style for small bathrooms, where space is at a premium.

So, keep it simple. What you save on the décor, spend on good quality fixtures. Invest in a small soaking bath made of wood or grey ceramic. Similarly, the sink should be of the utmost simplicity. A small, square stone basin is perfect, set in a vanity unit or cabinet of wood, preferably teak. Again, the taps should be as plain as possible, solid, chunky and finished in chrome. A square mirror placed over the sink is all that is really necessary.

Shelves should either be fitted inside the cabinet or run along the wall next to the sink. Again they should be simple and well ordered. Store only things that are really necessary, just towels and a bathrobe.

A plant is all the decoration you need. Try placing it in a small glass enclosure surrounded by small stones or pebbles.

If you are considering selling your home in the near future, taking a good look at areas of the house that could do with improvement is a definite priority.

Near the top of the list will surely be the bathroom. As most people are now aware, the bathroom, along with the kitchen, is the most used room in the house. Simply put, this means that if your bathroom is not up to the mark you will lose money on your house. Conversely, presenting a beautifully finished bathroom will add to the resale value of your property. It is therefore a sure fire investment opportunity. 

A generally accepted fact is that a second bathroom automatically increases the value of your property. This is particularly true if you have a family home. Parents are often not keen on sharing a bathroom with their children and vice versa. If the main bedroom is large enough or adjoins a smaller room, creating an en suite bathroom is a very useful bargaining tool.

If this is not possible, improving the existing bathroom is another very sound ploy. Do not be afraid to spend money. Purchasing a state-of-the-art shower unit with combination showerheads is bound to impress potential buyers. Installing a bidet is also worth considering.

Consider if there is space enough for a double sink unit. Increasingly, both partners work and a double washbasin allows a couple to use the bathroom at the same time, saving time and increasing efficiency.

So, you have installed your new bath, chosen your sink, selected tiles and flooring, shopped for matching towels and bath mats, hung the bathroom mirror and fixed your towel rails. Yet something is still not right. The answer could well be the taps on your new bath and sink.
 
Nowadays, taps come in as many shapes and sizes as your bath or sink. Whether it is a traditional or ultra-modern design you have chosen for your bathroom, you will surely want a tap to mirror your design choice.
 
Have you thought about a wall-mounted sink tap? These wall-mounted models add a dash of elegance to any bathroom. Easy to install and available in many styles, they are sure to be a focal point for you and your guests.

Have you considered the range of designs now available for that perennial favourite, the two-handled model? Sleek Italian or chunky Victorian designs, choose one that is right for the overall look of your bathroom and your domestic needs. For example, a centre-mounted tap would be ideal for households with children.
 
The finish of your tap is another important consideration. Nickel-plated taps are difficult to clean and easily lose their shine. A chrome fixture would be better or what about solid brass taps? Simple and elegant, they can add a touch of elegance to any bathroom and work especially well if you have wooden bathroom accessories. Be sure to match them with your lavatory handle or toilet roll holder.

For those households with small children, bath time can be a trying affair and as they get a little older and a little more independent, this can turn into a real source of worry. Perhaps the ideal advice when designing a bathroom in these circumstances is to try to put yourself in a child’s shoes. What are the potential hazards? How is the bathroom to be a safe as well as enjoyable place? What does a toddler need to encourage him or her to use the bathroom without harm?

Perhaps the most obvious improvement, though often the most overlooked, is to have a stool next to the bath. This allows the child to climb in without clambering and slipping on the wet tiles. A bath mat is essential. Vinyl floor tiles are also a good idea.

As they get a little older, a drawer could be reserved especially for the toddler to keep towels and pyjamas in.

Similarly, try to purchase a shower curtain with little pockets for toys. Ideally this should be of a breathable material to reduce the possibility of mould.

As we are constantly warned, children can drown in a very small depth of water. Oddly, parents assume this refers only to the bath, but toilets are also a major hazard. A lock or clip fitted to the seat is a vital safety device, particularly when the child is still very young.

On the subject of locks, make absolutely certain that all the cupboards, particularly the medicine cabinet, are secured at all times.