Latest Designer Bathroom Ideas and How To Guides for your Home

Most styles of bath will need bath panels and these are a very important part of your bath design. They box off the view of the underside of the bath and all that messy pipe work is hidden. These panels can be removed by undoing a few screws so there is no need to worry about access to the pipes if you need it.  Some baths need side and end panels but it depends on where they are positioned in the room. For example, a bath in an alcove may only need a side panel but one in the centre of the wall in a large bathroom will probably need two side panels and an end panel.

These bath panels are not a fixed size, so it is important to know the size and width of your bath before purchasing. There are lots of shapes and styles to choose from and you can buy flat acrylics in white, or any colour you wish, or wood panels in different wood effects and colours. The choice depends on the décor in your bathroom. Adding new bath panels and matching other features in your bathroom is an easy way to revamp it and make it look bright and interesting.

Acrylic bath panels are strong and very easy to maintain. A quick wipe over from time to time will keep them looking good but wooden panels need far more care and attention if they are to remain waterproof and smart.

A few minutes spent wandering around a bathroom fittings shop will open your eyes to the range of bath panels available and it is almost certain that what you thought you wanted is not what you will end up purchasing. The choice is just so big.

There is a lot to consider when choosing a bath. At one time you had a choice of white or a small range of pastel colours, there was little variation in style. Today’s bathroom shops have a huge range of different styles and colours and there is a lot more choice.

Not all baths are the same size so the space available should be measured carefully. The capacity of a bath is also important because most people fill their bath to just over half full. If you opt for a large, deep bath, you might need as much as 40 gallons of water per bath. Your hot water system needs to be able to cope with this or you will not be able to run a full bath from one tank of hot water.

Choosing the material a new bath is made of depends on how much you wish to spend and how hard wearing you expect it to be.  Fibreglass is the best choice if cost is important but this material will not last as long as porcelain or acrylic.  Designer baths made of wood and stone are also available, but they are very expensive and may need lots of careful maintenance. A cast iron bath will last a very long time, but as with stone you will need a floor that is strong enough to hold the weight.

Then there is the option of having water jets or a whirlpool unit built in; these make a very luxurious bath, but the water consumption may be higher. This is a consideration if you have a water meter, or a small hot water tank. These also consume electricity, which may be a consideration to you.

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.

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.

After an exhausting day at work, what better way to relax than to go home and soak your cares away in a water jet whirlpool?

Water jet whirlpools are by no means as expensive as you might think and the benefits are such that careful economising ensures they remain cost effective.

So how do they work? Essentially, a water jet is attached to the bath. It draws in the water and blasts it back through various apertures placed strategically around the actual bathtub. As a result, the fortunate bather is offered a wonderfully relaxing full-body massage, whilst being thoroughly cleansed.

Because there are now a huge assortment of such baths, the homeowner can choose a design perfectly matched to his or her physical size or preference.

Another popular innovation is a soaking bath. These are vertically positioned and hot water is pumped in up to neck height. They are traditionally of Japanese origin and resemble a narrow floating tank, very useful in a smaller bathroom.

However, if baths are not for you, why not invest in a shower enclosure with multiple showerheads. Water is forced out of several outlets at high speed, creating a superb water massage effect. A further bonus is that the system allows you to control the water temperature as well as positioning the showerheads to wherever your aches and pains may lie.

If you really want to enjoy the ultimate spa experience, why not fit underfloor water heating? Or upgrade your music system so that it pipes your favourite ambient music into the bathroom?

Hydrotherapy is an extremely effective method to ease stress and tension. Indeed, recent medical research has highlighted the efficacy of a long soak in the bath as aid to enhance circulation, which is of vital importance to anyone suffering from arthritis and diabetes.

But even if you have been working in the garden, or had a particularly difficult day in the office, as little as ten minutes a day in a whirlpool bath will soothe away all those nagging aches and pains.

If you are considering a whirlpool spa bath, but do not want to replace your existing bathtub, there are a number of conversion kits available on the market.

These can normally be installed by technicians within the course of a day and are suitable for almost every type of bath. As long as there is access to one side of the bath and there are no obstructions to the pump or pipes, installation can be completed with a minimum of fuss or mess.

The spas are fitted with easy-to-use controls that ensure safety and comfort. The constantly maintained temperature allows you to relax in the whirlpool for as long as you like, while the adjustable airflow gives you full control of the jet intensity – from a light stream of bubbles to an intense and deeply invigorating water massage.

Economically, the whirlpool is value for money. Depending on the area cost of a unit of electricity, the pump operates at around 3 pence per hour. This can be offset against the savings on hot water because the temperature of the water used will be lower than that of your normal bath.

And because the whirlpool re-circulates water from within the bath, it is easy to keep clean. Simply add a formulated cleaner to a bath full of water and circulate through the system at regular intervals.

Traditionally, bathrooms have always been one of the smaller rooms in the house. So it is important to make the most of what space there is available.

Pale, soft colours give an illusion of space. Keep bold, primary colours for accessories such as towels or bath mats. Instead, choose pastel tones, white or neutral colours. Add warmth by installing wall sconces or even a lamp.

Recessed lighting works particularly well by focusing on fixtures.
Mirrors add the illusion of space. Try placing as large a mirror as is appropriate over the bathroom sink. Or arrange a group of mirrors together instead of one large one.

Although a vanity unit provides storage, it can take up a lot of space in a smaller bathroom. Weigh up the advantages of replacing it with a pedestal or wall-mounted sink.

Choose a smaller bath. A lower-walled tub with a flat bottom is ideal for a shower and still provides adequate room for a relaxing bath.

Have you thought of replacing the traditional hinged door with one that slides open?

Exchange a frosted glass shower door for a transparent one. Or install a shower curtain that can be pulled back when not in use. Being able to see from door to back wall increases the illusion of space.

And remove clutter. Have only essentials visible. Organise storage areas in a linen cupboard. Keep it tidy. Corner shelves add height and therefore maximise space. Place the towel racks behind the door. That way, you will never have to see them.

No matter what style you are trying to achieve in your modern bathroom there will be a wealth of choice when it comes to the bath taps. As well as other bathroom accessories and fittings, such as towel rails and soap holders, it is often bath and sink taps that will define the style of your suite.

Sleek and minimal design is the latest trend for modern bathrooms and you will find that the majority of choices will come in a chrome finish, with brass usually the second most common choice. Single taps (also known as single-bloc mixers) are easily the most sought after when it comes to bath taps as they save the hassle of mixing hot and cold water from different taps. However, if you are hoping to add one of these to an older-style bath, you may run into the problems if the taps were originally separate.

Of course, one way to overcome this is to purchase a split single-hole mixer – where the hot and cold pipes enter from where the original  taps were placed – but also well worth considering, especially if you want to go for the most modern look, is to install wall-mounted bath taps. Not only will it give a stylish finish to your bathroom, but there will also be less cleaning involved around the base of the tap.

If you want to add a showerhead to your bath taps, there will still be a wide range available to complement any style, and these can also come wall-mounted.

Choosing the right basin taps will be extremely important when putting the finishing touches to your bathroom suite. It is often small fittings like basin taps, bath taps and other bathroom accessories that add character, and trying to mix and match different styles, especially in traditional bathrooms, is never recommended. You will also find that, as these taps will be replicating an older style, there will be very few single-bloc taps available.

There is a wide range of traditional basin taps on the market, which can mean making a decision can be quite difficult, but most of these are separated into different categories, depending on the style – and time period – from which they have been designed. Victorian taps are ideal for a real 1800’s-style bathroom suite, but Edwardian fittings have proven to be the most popular, and are one of the more common traditional styles displayed in bathroom showrooms.

As well as the variety in different basin tap designs there are also plenty of different manufacturers offering an array of products. If you are looking for new bathroom accessories as well as bath and basin taps, it will be recommended to stick to the same brand, as even though they are all trying to replicate the same style, there will be slight variances between manufacturers.

Many people start off with one feature when designing their traditional bathroom, such as a roll top bath or bathroom sink, and it is important that you find the right basin taps – as well as bathroom furniture – to suit.

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.