One of the most difficult rooms in the house to design is the bathroom. Why? Because it’s usually the smallest. Most people find it difficult to add the fixtures and fittings they want in tighter spaces, and sometimes it’s near impossible to include a bath. Of course, for families, the priority is often storage too. It’s a constant battle between style and practicality, but hopefully these next few tips will help you to win it. They should be able to give you a few tricks that mean you don’t always have to compromise on design for space.
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Fill every corner
If you’ve always wanted a bath, but on measuring up you think you simply can’t accommodate one, look into corner suites instead. There are some beautifully sleek, modern designs on the market now, which will mean you can have that little touch of luxury every evening, but on a slightly smaller scale. From sunken styles to Jacuzzis, this can free up more floor space to give a far more spacious feel.
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Why not walk in?
Walk-in wardrobes might be every girl’s dream, but every interior designer’s dream is the walk-in shower. As there’s just an opening rather than a hinged door, it’s perfect for tight spaces, but the walk-in shower enclosures can also be very discreet. Opt for a shallow base with a light-coloured tiled floor and you’ll get the practicality you need, but with the visual illusion of a much larger area.
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Be creative
The tighter the space, the more you need to try and think outside of the box. For example, you may have some recesses in the walls that you would otherwise see as annoying features, but can you turn it into some added storage space, by adding shelves, draws or a full unit? Think about the things you need to have in your bathroom, and be creative with how you can include them. Why not add pockets to your shower curtain for razors, soaps, facial washes and other things you use regularly? It will save on the clutter, keep things in order and give the appearance of more space.
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Think vertical
Speaking of storage, how do you use your walls? Are they covered with mirrors and themed artwork? If you’re short on space, try using them as a tool instead; whether it’s a series of hanging baskets in disused corners, or long and tall radiators to avoid towels being discarded everywhere, you need to make use of areas that would otherwise be empty.
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Don’t rule out wet-rooms
These can be ideal solutions for ensuites in particular. Many renovators and property developers use these as a way of getting an extra bathroom into a home when a much larger master bedroom is available, and they can steal a chunk of space away from it. They’re easy to keep clean and maintain, and they can look incredibly stylish with the right finish.
Do you have any more space-saving ideas for the bathroom?
