With some careful planning, decorative touches and innovative storage, you can easily create a warm and welcoming haven.
1. FURNITRE AND FIXTURES
Your decision about what to include will be dictated by the space available – a roll-top bath requires more room than a boxed-in one, for instance, and a counter-top sink with storage beneath is more useful than a pedestal version. A built-in or freestanding cupboard is also a great idea if it can be easily incorporated.
Next, decide on the look you want to go for. When it comes to sanitaryware, white is universally popular. Traditional taps are a good choice as they won’t date – but if you prefer a modern country style, you could opt for sleeker designs. A daybed or armchair is a wonderful addition to a bathroom – not only does it save you from having to perch on the edge of the bath, but it also introduces a touch of soft texture.
Design tips:
● A chair and wall cupboard can make a bathroom more inviting.
● Concrete finishes create a modern yet warm look.
● A sliding door can house a compact shower room.
● Neptune’s sink cabinets have ample storage.
● Twin-frame marble-topped sinks by Drummonds have a handy storage shelf beneath.
● Marble fixtures by Project Orange feel luxurious.
2. ACCESSORIES
Introducing some well-chosen decorativepieces will bring warmth and character to your bathroom – these could include pictures, pretty china, mirrors and ornaments. In a small space, where keeping the floor area clear iskey, wall-mounted items work best. You could also keep collections contained as vignettes, perhaps inside a cabinet or on a single shelf, and cluster tiny treasures together in a bowlor tray – this way, they will have more impact.
Even well-presented bath products, brushes and sponges can form part of the look, and those with an aquatic theme – such as seashells, oyster baskets or driftwood – look particularly at home in the bathroom. Remember, it should be easy to clean, so put pieces where they will stay dry and won’t get broken in the process.
Design tips:
● Homely accessories, a studio light and a vintage oyster basket bring an industrial chic feel.
● A contemporary marble tray holds attractive products, Villeroy & Boch.
● We like the updated Shaker-style simplicity and appealing display of utilitarian objects hung from a peg rail.
3. STORAGE
It’s important to factor in adequate storage for your bathroom at the planning stage if possible. A wall-mounted or freestanding cupboard is ideal for bulky towels and linens – a vintage medicine cabinet can look particularly striking. Organise into sections, using a system of baskets or trays to contain smaller items such as cosmetics.
If you’re disciplined enough to keep linens folded and displayed attractively, you could consider open shelving, perhaps made of wire. Storing toilet rolls in a pretty basket makes all the difference to the overall look of the room, as does a lidded wicker basket for hiding laundry. Woven or canvas containers hanging from a row of hooks on the wall also make for an innovative storage solution.
Design tips:
● A vintage cupboard stores folded piles of towels by Christy.
● Peg rails create hanging storage for towels, Villeroy & Boch.
● Team baskets with storage units to keep products, cosmetics and toilet rolls out of sight.
● Built-in storage can be tailored to your specific requirements if you plan the room from the outset.
4. DECORATION
Offset a classic white suite with a favourite paint shade, interesting tiles or well-placed wallpaper to give the room personality and individuality. A bathroom can easily appear cold, so pair it with hues of dove grey, fawn, blue or green, or plump for deeper shades that create a warm retreat. Tiles will introduce colour or pattern onto a wall, splashback, shower area, floor or countertop. A gallery of pictures can also serve as a decorative feature, as can wallpaper – protect it from damp behind a Perspex or glass splashback, situated away from splashes, and treat it with a matt decorator’s glaze. Another simple way to soften a bathroom is with painted wall panelling, which can be made bespoke or bought from a DIY store.
Design tips:
● A fish-design shower curtain brings Scandi-style decoration to a seaside bathroom. Full-length curtains in a larger space would have a similar effect, lending pattern and colour.
● Tiles are a practical way to bring colour and texture.
