Planning is the key to success and if you are doing it yourself we would always recommend drawing your plan out on paper.

Think about how you use your bathroom each day.  In the mornings, if you are like us, you will want a practical easy to use bathroom so you can leave the house feeling good and ready to face the world.  In the evenings you may want somewhere luxurious to retreat to and soak away the stresses and strains of the day.  There’s no right and wrong – it’s what you want.

Layout

The first thing to consider is that layout of your bathroom.  If you are working with an existing bathroom, then you need to consider the impact of rearranging it will have on waste and water pipes.

While water pipes are usually easy to re-route and conceal in walls or floors, waste pipes are usually 4 inches (10cm) and need to have a fall to allow gravity to do its work. So don’t plan on moving your toilet unless you can configure the waste pipe to function correctly.

Waste pipes from basins and baths also need to feed into the 10cm waste pipe so that should be factored in as well.

If you are planning a wet room then you need to be sure that you can have sufficient under floor space to conceal all the waste pipes. These can be tricky to retro-fit to existing bathrooms, but can be fairly straightforward for new bathrooms e.g.  in loft conversions as they can be planned into the construction of the room.

Baths

If you can’t fit in a separate shower then why not have a combined bath/shower? Make sure that you buy a bath that is suitable for using as a shower. These are usually wider and have a flat area at the shower end to provide a stable footing.

Baths are made from either acrylic or steel. Acrylic baths are warm to touch, are light and easy to fit. Steel baths are more rigid and are more resistant to scratching. We would always recommend a steel bath if you are using it for a shower.

For that extra touch of luxury you can consider a whirlpool bath to soothe away the aches and strains of the day.

Showers

Showers come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. From straightforward shower tray and screen solutions to wet rooms.

Some people consider wet room showers the ultimate in contemporary luxury.  Others prefer to contain the water within a tray and screen.  Wet rooms are usually more expensive to fit.  It’s all a matter of personal choice. 

When choosing a shower screen, particular ones with doors, make sure you choose a good quality one.  You want your shower enclosure to feel strong and robust with a solid door. These are a worthwhile investment as they will last you a long time if cared for properly.

Basins

Basins are usually either wall hung or pedestal. We prefer wall hung as they make bathrooms feel larger because more of the floor can be seen. This is a simple and effective optical illusion. If choosing a wall hung basin bear in mind they need to be properly supported either with a metal or timber frame.

When choosing a basin, don’t just consider its aesthetics. Think about whether you want to use the basin for washing small items of clothing. In this case make sure you choose one that is deep enough.

Investing in high quality taps is really worthwhile as they can make a huge difference.

WC’s

Like basins these can be either wall hung or pedestal. For similar reasons we prefer wall hung ones as they make the bathroom feel larger. Again they need to be properly supported and usually are available with a special metal frame to support the weight of a person. These will have a concealed cistern as well.

Both the cistern and the metal frame will need to be concealed in some new boxing in your bathroom, so factor that into your plans.

To save on water buy a cistern that has a dual flush system.

Water Pressure

Before choosing any shower heads and taps make sure you check the water pressure.  A lot of modern fittings require a certain pressure to work. If your pressure is low, don’t worry you can usually get low pressure contemporary fittings.

Storage

Plan lots of storage in your bathroom, no matter how small it is. A small cabinet is never enough. We usually recommend built-in mirrored storage as the most practical solution. Large expanses of mirrors make even the smallest bathroom seem large.

Lighting

Make sure you use a qualified electrician for all electrical work in the bathroom. Electricity, water and people do not mix well!

Avoid a single central light fitting as it is not flattering or functional. Make sure that there is plenty of light over the mirror so you can see yourself properly.

Heating

Under floor heating is our favourite method of heating a bathroom. On a chilly winter’s morning there is nothing better than a warm tiled floor under your feet.

You will also want something to dry your towels so a heated towel rail of some sort will also be necessary. These can either be connected to your existing heating system or run standalone.

Materials

The materials you use on your floor, walls and ceilings are where you can really express your individuality and change the whole look of the room. Marble, mosaics, limestone, wood - the choice is endless. The only advice we would give you is get lots of samples before deciding. It is well worth the time and effort. When choosing materials, consider the maintenance of them before buying.  We like fully tiled bathrooms, but if it’s a very large room you may decide to partially tile it. 

Mixing more than one colour adds interest to a bathroom so don’t be afraid to combine these. 

...and finally the secret to a happy marriage