The bathroom. For many, it’s a purely functional room – simply somewhere to wash and get ready for the day ahead. But for others, the bathroom is so much more. It’s a haven, a place to relax and unwind. And with the right design touches, your bathroom can be truly beautiful too.
A great way to enhance the space is by adding a stylish element, a mosaic floor tile, which brings texture and elegance to the room, creating a perfect balance of function and beauty.
Creating a Spa-Like Sanctuary
This is a collaborative post
More and more people are turning their bathrooms into spa-like spaces. Think soft towels, the best candles for creating ambience, and a comfy chair in the corner. This bathroom is all about pampering and self-care
When designing a bathroom sanctuary, it helps to start with a calming colour scheme. Stick to neutral or pale shades like white, cream, grey and taupe. You can then add pops of colour with accessories like candles, art, flowers and soft furnishings. Materials like stone, marble and wood add natural texture and warmth. Then focus on lighting – from windows and skylights to dimmable spotlights and even colour-changing LEDs. The overall aim is to create a relaxing, zen-like vibe.
Bathtubs and Showers
The bath and shower themselves are the centrepiece of any spa bathroom. There are now more options than ever when it comes to creating a sybaritic soaking experience:
- Freestanding tubs make bathing a feature in itself. Position one by a window or in an alcove for maximum relaxation. For contemporary chic, try the sleek D Mirror from Duravit.
- Roll-top tubs offer old-school charm with their arched sides and high backs. Recline in luxury as the cares of the day dissolve.
- Air baths and whirlpool tubs take relaxation up a notch with water jets to soothe aches and melt away tension.
- Walk-in showers feel like you’re bathing in a warm summer rain. Go for a huge monsoon shower head or even add steam for a sauna-esque vibe.
- Wet rooms do away with shower screens and cubicles altogether. The whole room becomes one big shower area, awash in minimalist elegance.
Heated Floors and Towel Rails
Once you step out of the bath or shower, those little luxuries make all the difference:
- Heated floors feel fabulous underfoot and prevent cold shock as you move from bath to basin. Underfloor heating pipes are easily incorporated beneath tile, wood or carpet.
- Towel rails eliminate damp towels hanging around. Opt for a model with a built-in heating element so your towel feels fresh from the dryer. Position it near the bath or shower with space to hang robes too.
Ambience and Accessories
It’s the little details that elevate a bathroom from functional to fabulous:
- Candles and oil burners scent the air with subtle aromatherapy. Citrus zests the senses while lavender induces relaxation. Group together for maximum impact.
- Houseplants green up the space and increase humidity naturally. Snake plants, orchids and ferns all thrive in steamy bathrooms.
- Artwork prevents bare walls from appearing too clinical. Black and white botanical prints offer a soothing, spa-like feel.
- Mirrors bounce light around and give the illusion of more space. Try framing in wood for a natural touch. Position by a window to maximise daylight.
- Soft rugs underfoot prevent slipping on hard floors post bath-time. Look for absorbent natural fibres like bamboo, cotton and jute.
- Speakers set the mood with your favourite relaxation playlist. Waterproof Bluetooth models affix directly to tiles and sync to your phone.
Family-Friendly Functionality
As our homes shrink, the family bathroom often doubles up as an en-suite too. The key is optimising every inch without compromising on style. Careful planning is needed to accommodate all those extra toiletries alongside bathtimes and teeth brushing.
Keeping Clean and Clutter-Free
With multiple users and plenty going on, order is essential in a family bathroom. Build in masses of storage so everything has a place. Floor-to-ceiling cupboards maximise space while concealed cisterns and vanity units hide plumbing. Box in pipework and opt for wall-hung basins and toilets to keep floors clear for easier cleaning. Inside drawers and cabinets, divide into compartments for sorting toothbrushes, medicines and so on. Open shelving looks pretty but can quickly become cluttered – stick to just a few styled displays.
Safe Showering and Bathing
Safety is also vital, especially where children are concerned. Choose a thermostatic mixer shower to regulate temperature and prevent scalding. For peace of mind, a walk-in shower makes bath time supervision easier – plus there’s no risk of slipping climbing in and out. Grab rails provide stability while anti-slip textures underfoot give wet feet traction. A handy built-in child’s seat means little ones can sit comfortably as you shampoo their hair.
Standing the Test of Time
Choose fixtures and fittings that are durable and easy to maintain to cope with family life. Timeless subway tiles shrug off splashes and are simple to clean, while one-piece shower trays prevent leaks from grout. Solid surface basins resist chipping if accidentally hit. And smooth, seamless finishes mean nowhere for mould or bacteria to hide.
With some clever thinking, family bathrooms can still feel calm and elegant. The key is ensuring every element looks great but also performs brilliantly too.
Small Bathrooms: Maximising a Modest Space
While a spacious bathroom is a luxury, it’s still possible to create a peaceful and elegant space even when square footage is limited. In fact, smaller bathrooms are easier to make feel expensive thanks to some clever design tricks. Here’s how to make the most of a bijou bathroom.
Illusion of Space
In a small bathroom, every inch needs to earn its place. But there are simple ways to create the feeling of more room. Here’s how:
- Mirrors visually double the space when placed opposite windows or other reflective surfaces like splashbacks.
- Glass screens around showers prevent them from dominating. Choose frosted for privacy with an airier feel.
- Wall-hung basins and toilets save room since pipework is concealed inside the wall cavity.
- Tall cabinets make use of awkward narrow spots floor-to-ceiling next to baths and in alcoves.
- Pale colours recede so white and neutral tones will make the room appear larger. Just avoid an all-white scheme – some texture is needed for depth.
- Flat-fronted cabinetry gives a streamlined look compared to fussy arched panels so the space feels smoother.
- Recessed niches house products rather than them cluttering up sinks or bath rims.
- Patterned tiles draw the eye upwards, enhancing height and size. Stick to simple metro tiles rather than busy mosaics.
Multi-Tasking Fixtures
With limited scope, items need to work extra hard earning multiple roles. For instance:
- Basin and vanity often merge into one piece, perhaps with drawers concealed beneath. Wall mount for a sleeker look.
- Cabinets stash extra toilet rolls and cleaning products behind mirrors on cabinet doors.
- An alcove bath with built-in storage replaces space-gobbling standalone units.
- Niche shelving replaces a shower caddy at eye level. Style with pretty bottles for an easier reach.
- Ladder rails hold towels for warming while grab bars provide safe showering and independence for longer.
Focus the Splashback
When space is tight, there’s no room to spread features out. Instead home in on one standout splashback area behind basins or baths. Then keep other surfaces simple.
Make it shine with:
- Eye-catching designer patterned tiles
- Atmospheric moody painted walls
- Modern textured wood panelling
- Nature-inspired plant prints or realistic floral wallpaper
Paint the ceiling and cabinets pale to contrast. Accent with chrome fittings, black metal accessories and pops of colour via towels, stools and greenery.
Condensing the Essentials
It’s about choosing items carefully and avoiding anything extraneous. Focus on:
- Sleek wall-mounted or slender countertop basins
- Compact back-to-the-wall toilets
- A small corner shower instead of a bulky bath
- Furnishings like narrow consoles under mounted basins rather than vanities
- Pull-out tap fittings to maximise sink space
- Wall-mounted or recessed bathroom cabinetry
Then finalise with some lovely finishing touches – a posy of fresh flowers, some reed diffusers or a set of crystal knobs on drawers transform a petite bathroom into a beautiful boutique space.
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