Latest Designer Bathroom Ideas and How To Guides for your Home

The design of a new bathroom depends very much on the space available and it is important to maximise space if you only have a small room. Apart from the bath, shower enclosure and toilet, the bathroom basin is probably the most important item in the room. It is after all the most used item. A corner basin is an excellent way to save space and add a touch of elegance in a small bathroom. You will be surprised at just how much space one of these can save.

Once you have decided what shape of basin you want, it pays to browse round the bathroom supply websites on the Internet because you will find far more options than you ever thought you would. Make sure that you measure the area you want to fit the basin into, whether it is a corner basin, round, curved, or rectangular, because there are a number of fittings that you must have room to accommodate and you can soon waste a lot of money, buying and returning bathroom sinks that are the incorrect size. Most basins will be marked somewhere with details of the minimum space they will require when fitted. If you cannot find those figures, ask before you buy.  You will also need to consider the basin taps – conventional taps or mixer taps, contemporary or traditional?

When it comes to choosing a bathroom basin there are a number of different materials to choose from. Glass is very modern and brings a lot of light into the room, but porcelain is more conventional if you prefer the traditional. There are many designer basins to choose from and the latest ones even come in copper or stone. So, if you are looking for a corner basin, or something more conservative, there is a lot to think about.

Water underfloor heating, also known as wet underfloor heating, is a type of underfloor or radiant heating system. Underfloor heating is an alternative to traditional types of heating such as wood, coal, gas or oil burners or wall radiators. In contrast to such types of heating, which convect heat which circulates in room air currents, usually concentrating in the highest part of a room, radiant heating brings heat into a space at floor level more evenly and efficiently. It is often cheaper to run due to the efficiency of the heat distribution and does not take up space in a room as the system is placed under the floor.

Water underfloor heating circulates heated water through a network of underfloor pipes. The entire system is regulated by an underfloor heating thermostat. The material in which the pipes are laid, which is typically concrete or wood, absorbs a great amount of the radiated heat, acting as background heat storage. Due to the relatively slow-acting nature of this heat absorption and retention, rooms have to be typically pre-heated by a number of hours to ensure the optimal and desired temperature.

In most cases, the installation of a water underfloor heating system is no more expensive than the installation of a network of radiators. Commercial operators usually market water underfloor heating on the basis that it is in the long run cheaper and more efficient than radiators.

Water underfloor systems are best suited to newly laid floors, where they can be incorporated easily during a new build.

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.

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.

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.

When you use any form of pipework, like that used in water underfloor heating systems, there is a possibility that you could end up with it sustaining damage. However this is a very small risk if you follow all the installation instructions, especially regarding the distance of the pipes from the edges of the room. By ensuring the pipes are not near the edge you can reduce the risk of damage occurring when you lay the floor over the top, especially if you have chosen a wooden floor and need to nail it into place at the sides.

If there is damage that is significant enough to cause a leak, then you will know immediately, because the pressure will drop and sadly, concrete is porous, so water can escape into it. The best thing to do in this case is call an expert in, because they will stand a better chance of being able to isolate the leak and carry out repairs to that piece of pipe, while causing minimal disruption to the rest of the flooring.

Obviously, choosing an electric underfloor heating system minimises further the maintenance of the system and the number of things that can go wrong is much reduced. That said, a wet system that has been installed correctly should not cause any problems. You may still want to read case studies of underfloor heating to reassure yourself, but then properly researching any product you are thinking of buying is always advisable.

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.

If your bathroom has seen better days, it’s time to renovate. Like kitchens, good bathrooms can add appreciable value to your home without amounting to major property development. DIY painting, decorating and plastering skills will take you a long way, without substantial building work or calling the architects in.

Start by thinking about whether the layout can be improved. Would a walk-in shower look better than the tub? Are the basin and WC ideally located or could they be moved to enhance space? Don’t forget about drainage runs and soil pipes here, though, the latter are especially difficult to relocate. Next, physically map the layout using your body as a guide; are the soap dishes and bathroom cabinets or anything else you use frequently, within comfortable reach? Will you require extensive re-plumbing if you shift the basin or tub/shower?

Think about the fixtures, properly chosen, they can add verve to a bathroom. Is the design you’re seeking ultra-modern or classically elegant? Gleaming, modern chrome taps and showerheads can be beautiful, but so can elegant Victorian alternatives, it’s best not to mix them, though. A generous bathroom mirror or two can make a small space look twice the size.

Choose lighting carefully, a bathroom can be made to look warm and inviting or cold and forbidding, depending on what lighting you use. Remember, any lighting above areas where water is used must have a special safety rating.

Finally, soften harsh lines and angles with touches of fabric, even towels can help and some strategically placed potted plants.