Latest Designer Bathroom Ideas and How To Guides for your Home

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.

Freestanding bathroom sinks have become increasingly popular in recent years. Before this, the most common type was the pedestal, which was traditionally made in white ceramic, with a long, slightly fluted base on which perched the basin.

Although elegant enough in its way, the pedestal has fallen out of favour, largely due to the problems of lack of storage space.

One of the great advantages of freestanding sinks is the range of materials it can be manufactured from. This makes it a particular favourite with designers and DIY enthusiasts who like a little more flair in the bathroom. Indeed, such is its versatility that many a bathroom has been designed around, for example, an oiled bronze sink.

What really makes this design so popular is the added storage it allows. Cabinets can easily be installed around the sink and allow further creativity by mirroring the design of the basin.

For example, a specially designed chrome sink would match a minimalist contemporary bathroom cabinet or vanity unit. In this way it would provide a focal point for the bathroom, every bit as striking as the bath or shower unit.

What is important is to carefully choose the shelving that will go inside the bathroom cabinet or vanity. Do not forget that the pipes for the water supply are also located inside the cabinet. The depth of the cabinet is vital and if the shelves have to be cut around the pipes, the material you decide upon will be of crucial importance.

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.

Showers offer a refreshing – and economical – way of washing without soaking for hours in a hot bath. They are also ideal for those who have difficulties getting in and out of the tub.

A shower uses both hot and cold water, which is mixed either manually or automatically to provide a constant spray of water at precisely the right temperature to suit you.

Electric showers are the most popular model. They draw water directly from the cold mains domestic supply and only heat it as long as you are actually using the shower.

Therefore, electric showers are able to be fitted in virtually every home – even where there is no storage heater.

The vast majority of electric showers offer a wide range of power settings, beginning with the most basic, low cost unit, to a high performance model. However, many people prefer a more powerful shower and opt for a unit with an enhanced kilowatt capacity to increase the flow rate.

Indeed, a high percentage of electric showers are fitted with a variable power setting to provide optimum economy even during the summer, when water from the mains will have a greater ambient temperature.

Many houses that have the luxury of two bathrooms often have an electric shower in one, enabling you to shower even in the summer when you may not have stored hot water all of the time.

Electric showers come in a vast range of shapes and sizes. Be sure to choose which model is exactly right for you and your family. And do not forget to check the manufacturer’s warranty and guarantee.

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.

Toilets are important when it comes to determining the style of bathroom suites and there is a range of options to choose from on the market. As well as the traditional toilet bowls that are available, easily the biggest range is in the modern designs, with some offering very contemporary features.

Standard toilets will come with the base unit and a cistern. The average height for the bowl is set between 40cm and 41cm. They are either classed as ‘high-level’ or ‘low-level’ depending on the position of the cistern and it would be fair to say the more high-level designs are reserved for traditional bathrooms, but there are some modern options that also fit into this category.

You will find also that modern toilets will have a much more sleek and minimal finish and there is also the option of having a wall-mounted toilet, which is used to give your bathroom a stylish touch. Toilets like these are designed to give the impression of more space in smaller bathroom suites and the cistern is also hidden, usually being built into the bathroom furniture. Modern toilets can also come with two buttons for separate flushes, which will allow you to select the amount of water you use for each flush.

Traditional toilets however, will obviously come in a more old-fashioned style, with the cistern and flush sometimes fitted high above on the wall. These cisterns were originally made of metal, but today you will find the majority are ceramic.

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.

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.

Taps and mixers come in all types, styles, sizes, shapes and finishes. Types of taps range from bath mixer taps to basin mixer taps while the designs range from contemporary to modern.

When choosing what type of taps and mixers to install in your bathroom, you must consider the other bathroom components available. For instance if what you have is a wash hand basin with a single tap hole then you will need a basin mixer tap. If you are in need of a shower facility over your bath, then the recommendation would be a bath shower mixer. Monobloc mixer taps on the other hand are normally found in use where there is a one tap hole basin while a pair of standard sink taps would normally be found where there is a 2 tap hole sink. With a 3-tap hole sink, a 3-tap hole sink mixer is what would be used.

When purchasing a full bathroom suite, like an Imperial Bathrooms suite for instance, there isn’t much to choose from when it comes to the style or type of tap. With bathroom suites the choice is between standard bath taps and a bath shower mixer, though it depends on the manufacturer or the distributor.

Some medical conditions might also affect the choice of tap. People afflicted with arthritis for instance might have trouble with a smooth tap head and so what is recommended in such cases is a lever tap that is designed for easy gripping.

The choice of tap designs and price range is huge so there should be no problem in finding one that suits your purpose.

A lot of change has taken place in the look of radiators over the past few decades. No longer are they only available in the stale hues of black, gray and white, but they can now be seen in attractive futuristic shades.

Different materials are used in the construction of radiators like cast iron, aluminum and stainless steel. It is important to think about the pros and cons of each one of these radiators before buying any one of them.

Cast iron heats up slowly but also cools off more slowly giving heat for a long time. So, even after the central heating system has been switched off, the cast iron radiators are hot. These radiators are purchased by people now due to their Victorian look. However, the same retro look is also seen with the stainless steel radiators.

Stainless steel radiators have useful qualities like they preserve heat for a longer time and are simple to clean. You only need to apply detergent and warm water for cleaning them up. These radiators also last for a long time because the steel does not corrode that easily. On the other hand, stainless steel radiators are expensive.

The last kind of radiators, aluminum radiators are extremely responsive to temperature control due to the super-conductibility of this metal. The house gets heated up instantly as soon as you switch on these radiators. They are quite light weight making it easy to install them. The user pays lower installation charges for them too.

These radiators work on lower electricity as they are quite receptive to thermostat modifications. It saves money in terms of electricity bills. These radiators are also available in diverse styles, colours and finishes to expand the choice available before you. They look good in any kind of surroundings due to their stylish looks.