Latest Designer Bathroom Ideas and How To Guides for your Home

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.