The bathroom can often be overlooked when it comes to sprucing up our homes. Because of its very functional purpose, it is not always considered one of the most important rooms to indulge ourselves in creatively.
But think again. How long do you usually spend in the bathroom? For many people it is a room in which to pamper themselves, to take time out from the world in a long soothing bath, or to prepare themselves for a big night out on the town.
Despite the fact that the bathroom is probably one of the smallest rooms in your home, renovating it can still be a big undertaking and careful planning and consideration needs to be given. Here are some issues to consider.
Make your bathroom work for you
Think about who uses the bathroom and for what purpose. What are the problem areas with the room and would it be possible to correct them? A second basin could prevent fighting during the pre-school rush in the mornings. Take a good look around the room and decide whether it could benefit from some restructuring. Is your toilet roll holder in an impractical position? Could the room benefit from a towel rail? Is there enough storage, and if not, where can you add more? These things and more need to be considered before you lift a hand.
Make the most of a small space
There are plenty of ways to maximise the space in a small room, whether it is your family bathroom or an en suite. Look out for fittings that take up less space — smaller than standard suites, baths that fit into the corner of a room, or even Japanese-style sit in baths. A separate shower as well as a bath is great, but shower units over the bath are a good solution to space restrictions.
Add a bit of luxury
Make your bathroom as luxurious as possible. Buy the best bath you can afford, or if you are stuck for space get a high powered shower that will help you to wake up in the morning. If your budget won’t stretch to a new suite, look at cheaper ways of making your bathroom a more inviting place, such as scented candles and plants. Don’t be afraid to add colour to your bathroom — something as simple as a lick of paint and some new towels will make the room feel like new. Decent mirrors are vital, they make the room feel bigger and brighter. Add some lights around it for a Hollywood style make-up mirror.
