Designer advice: Bathroom dos & don’ts

19 Feb

We asked our designers for their biggest dos & don’ts when it comes to bathroom design.

Caroline Greig, Designer from Ripples Winchester

DO use different light sources, including practical lighting (spotlights, mirror cabinet), mood lighting (under vanity unit, alcove lighting) and decorative lighting (wall lights, pendants) to ensure the space is not just usable but is multidimensional and atmospheric. Well thought-through lighting can really elevate a bathroom.

DON’T buy a bath without doing your research. Baths come in so many different sizes, shapes and materials so it’s important to choose one that will fit you. DO invest in a quality vanity unit; bathroom furniture will be handled a lot so it needs to be as durable as possible.

DO invest in a quality vanity unit; bathroom furniture will be handled a lot so it needs to be as durable as possible.

DON’T play it too safe with your brassware choices. There are so many lovely finishes as an alternative to the standard chrome and special finishes can make a bathroom look more exclusive.

Design details

Think about the overall look and feel you want to create with your bathroom. Do you prefer a contemporary or classic style? Should it be tranquil and calming or are you after a splash of colour and some wow factor. Decide whether you want your tiles to stand out or blend in, as this will help you determine which design is best for you.

Think about the style and architecture of your property. A characterful Victorian house for instance would be perfect for a more detailed decorative tile, ideal for enhancing a classic roll-top bath with cross head taps and traditional pedestal basin. A more modern home on the other hand with sleek and seamless wall-hung sanitaryware and walk-in shower may be better suited to a neutral tile or statement decorative design.

The key thing to keep in mind is whether you want your tiles to complement or contrast with the rest of the bathroom scheme. You can always have the best of both with a statement tiled shower area or feature wall behind the bath or basin, keeping the rest of the bathroom pale and pared back.

Erin White, Designer from Ripples Towcester

DO use Pinterest to your heart’s content! It’s a great starting point for any design and can give both you and your designer a sense of the style and layout options you’d like to explore.

DON’T forget storage. This can often be overlooked but is such a vital aspect of a bathroom. Choosing a vanity unit with an integrated basin on top is an easy way of combining two-bathroom products without compromising on space. Another great storage hack is adding niches within your shower/bath space to allow you to store your products without having to put them away every time you use them.

DO go wild with tiles! These can be a major statement within your bathroom design so be bold and play with colour and pattern. Tiles are the perfect way to inject personality into your bathroom space and can be updated over time should your style change.

Helen Brown, Showroom Owner and Designer from Ripples Chichester

DO understand how you use your bathroom and what you need your new bathroom to do for you. If you think it can’t be done, don’t worry, because a good designer will be able to give you exactly what you are looking for. We have years of experience and absolutely love a challenge!

DON’T position everything against the walls. This will leave you with a big empty space in the centre of the room an

Chris Payne, Senior Designer from Ripples Bristol

DO opt for underfloor heating. It really creates a sense of luxury and is the most efficient way of invisibly adding warmth to your bathroom. Not only does it take the chill off the floor tiles but it will help to dry off any residual water left after showering, especially in a wetroom. It can also be applied to walls (which feels particularly sumptuous when you have a seat in the shower) and app-based controls mean you can even turn the underfloor heating on remotely, so your bathroom is warmed up ready for you when you get home.

DON’T plan your bathroom around an imagined re-sale requirement (unless you are only renovating the bathroom to sell the property.) A bathroom is a personal space which should be designed around you and your requirements, not the person who might buy your house from you in the future. Spend time thinking about what is important to you and it will reward you with many years of enjoyment.

DON’T scrimp on budget. Invest well in your bathroom by purchasing quality products and it should last in excess of 15+ years.