Bathroom Bliss

BC Designs' aluminium boat bath with ball and claw feet.

A permanent installation that will be in your home for at least five to ten years requires planning. Once it is in place, you will have to be sure that it functions well and will not date with changing home interior trends.

Reading this article, you will either be planning a new bathroom from scratch or updating existing features. If you are lucky enough to be installing into a new home, your choices are much wider. Unconstrained by existing plumbing locations, layout will only be inhibited by the dimensions. However, in both cases, it is worth making a note of all of your functional requirements to ensure that the bathroom works well for the household.

Bathroom Check List:

Is this the only bathroom? If there is an additional room you can consider placing a bath in an en suite, rather than cluttering the main bathroom.

How many people are in the house? A bath will be required for children, while a neat shower cubicle is adequate for 'splash and dash' adults.

When is the bathroom used? If all members of the household share the bathroom at the same time in the morning, a double sink is a practical solution.

Storage issues must be addressed. What do you need to store and could any of these items be relocated to cut down on clutter?

How do you intend to heat the bathroom? A heated towel rail doubles as a heating source and a storage implement for towels.

Ventilation is required in all bathrooms. Is there adequate natural ventilation and is a fan required?

Bathroom Design

A myriad of designs are available and a look around any of the retail showrooms demonstrate the effectiveness of the various looks.

The Mark Humphreys taps from Usher in Dublin.

A general rule of thumb is to marry your bathroom style to the style of the living areas, or the period of the property. Designing in continuity brings a sense of fluidity to the overall look of your home. If you have a penchant for period looks, opt for Victorian roll-top bath with claw feet. A modern penthouse apartment, however, would look best with slick contemporary sanitaryware or perhaps a wet room.

As well as the style and shape of the furniture, colour has its part to play. Nowadays it is unusual to see any other colour than white. Plain white is the most versatile for future décor changes and is the most attractive if the property is to be sold in the future.

Although they are often overlooked, fittings and fixtures have a tremendous impact on the atmosphere of the bathroom. Taps and levers are generally available in chrome, stainless steel and brass. The finish that you choose can be used as a theme and continued through to light fittings, switches, shelving and door handles.

Materials, too, have their part to play and can have a great impact on the atmosphere and tone of the bathroom. The bath panel, toilet seat and shower cubicle are to be considered. Glass blocks, chrome and glass work best for contemporary schemes. While natural and painted wood surfaces look great in a traditional setting.