So you’ve decided that it’s time to redo the bathroom, and are looking at different designs for a bit of inspiration.
And while it is an exciting prospect to make the space a little more luxurious, it’s worth factoring in the practicality of the room too.
The room has a function, so you want to make sure that it continues to serve that function.
A common mistake is getting married to an idea and then finding out that something is a little less feasible than you had initially planned.
This can lead to your project spiralling out of budget, or going ahead with an idea that makes it harder for the room to serve its function.
For example, if you wanted a walk in shower and a stylish bath tub, the room could feel cramped and all of a sudden, the space is a bit overwhelming.
So, we have put together some of the key questions that you should be asking yourself before committing to a design or layout.
Is your building listed?
If you live in a building in the UK that is listed you will be significantly limited in what you can change and my need to use specialist contractors.
This should be your first check as it has the potential to completely upend your budget since piping can’t just be rejigged in listed properties and things like windows can be hard to change as well.
Is plumbing going to need to change?
If you are able to move around the piping, you should ask yourself whether or not you want to do that.
There is often a lot that you can do within the remits of your existing layout, so first consider those options before you start looking at full redesigns.
That’s because both the design process comes at an additional cost, and on top of that it can move the work from a few days to a few weeks or months.
If plumbing does need to change it’s crucial to work with a good contractor; we’d recommend sticking with Checkatrade or Which listed plumbers
How often do you have a bath?
Baths add a lot of aesthetic appeal to a space, and make for a great way to unwind of an evening.
However, if you stick to the shower and don’t really use the bath, that’s a lot of space that’s being taken up by something that you aren’t using.
Do you need more space?
Similar to the bath and whether or not it gets used, there are a lot of appliances that can be taken away to make a bathroom feel bigger.
For example, if you have a radiator or heated rail in the bathroom but don’t often hang towels in there, it may be worth considering underfloor heating.
If you have big blocky cupboards, you can replace them with an improved undersink storage space, or even an indent into the wall, so that it’s not poking out.
Do you use the bathroom to do your makeup?
If the answer to your question is yes, then you should consider your sink space as on top of base function, you’ll also want to factor in lighting, storage and mirror quality.
You’ll also need to be careful where you put those mirror, as you’ll want a nice quiet and neutral background behind you.
Now you can get into the nitty gritty
With the big questions that have the potential to significantly impact either the cost of the project, or the quality of the end outcome now covered and out of the way you can now look at the little details that will make your bathroom truly yours.
Happy designing!
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