Unless you are exceptionally lucky, your bathroom is usually one of the smallest spaces in the home, if not the smallest. As a designer, I view it as one of the most vital rooms in the house. The bathroom is a sensory experience all of it's own, touch is important and so is the way the space makes you feel. As typically the first room you visit in the morning; it ought to be a place for rejuvenation and energy at the start of the day and for unwinding in the evening. Because of their small size, we often find ourselves cramming in items such as toiletries, toilet roll supplies and other necessities. Consequently, bathrooms frequently appear cluttered or enclosed which for some can be over stimulating and stressful.
So, if you're thinking about renovating or just want to level up your current bathroom, here are 5 tips to help you make smart design choices.
Utilise Every Inch of Space
Sounds obvious, right? But have you really utilised every aspect of the room?
When designing bathrooms, I advise my clients to make use of every inch of space they have. Make sure you are utilising the height of your bathroom and add storage in these places. For example, the spaces above the toilet and above the door are often neglected. Adding floating shelves to these areas allows extra storage options without losing any floor space. To avoid cluttered shelves, use small storage baskets of varying sizes to keep toiletries, toilet paper etc in so that they aren't openly out on the shelves. This will help the space feel more refined and add some textural interest to the area too.
Add Texture
And, speaking of texture, this leads me on to one of the most important points. Often, people renovate their bathrooms and wonder why they feel cold and a bit flat once they're finished. A lot of the time, this is because there isn't enough texture. Texture is important in a bathroom because a lot of 'hard' materials are used. You will probably have used tiles, mirrors and ceramics all of which are cold to the touch, smooth and reflective. Adding texture will help create a visual balance and add some much needed warmth.
So, what can you do? Bringing in some natural elements such as woven bath mats or rugs, raw woods in the form of shelves will make the world of difference. Wooden vanity storage is also a great way to bring some more of those natural elements in as is of course adding plants. Trailing plants look amazing in bathrooms and ferns also thrive in the humidity. The use of fabrics is also important here, can you incorporate flowing fabrics? I've seen some amazing bathrooms who use fabric in really clever ways, such as hiding storage under a sink. Perhaps you can add a small window treatment to create some softness?
If you're thinking about renovating your bathroom, I'd suggest adding in some textured tiles to help give the room a spa-like feel. You could even add some pebble style tiles to your shower floor or like me, add some wood effect tiles (there are some amazing, affordable ones on the market). If you're not really a tile person, textured paint or even wallpaper (yes, you can wallpaper to bathrooms) can also help add layers of interest.
Make your Bath and Shower Areas Work Harder
If you're renovating, opt for a walk-in shower with a clear glass door or no door as this can significantly enhance the overall look and feel of the area. The transparency of a clear glass door or the absence of a door altogether creates a seamless visual flow, making the space appear larger and more open. It also allows natural light to penetrate and brighten up the shower area.
I advise my clients that if they can spare a small portion of floor space, shower and/or bath alcoves are a great way to incorporate some storage and also take away the need for caddies which can get easily cluttered and dirty. They also add a touch of luxury and add a spa like feel too.
Create the Illusion of Space
Creating the illusion of space is especially important in bathrooms as it affects the overall feel, functionality and aesthetic of the space. Adding vertically placed tiles on the walls can give the illusion of added height, which in turn makes the space feel more open and airy. Opting for white, cream or lighter neutral colours will help bounce the light around and give the illusion of an airier feel.
Placing a large mirror opposite the source of natural light will help bounce light around the room and aid in making the room feel larger. Practically this works well above a basin, however this isn't the only way to achieve a spacious feel. Adding a mirrored wall behind the bath space can visually expand the area and give a cool aesthetic too, go for a distressed look to add character and also reduce the amount of cleaning required!
If storage isn't an issue, go for floating sink vanities which will help create a feeling of openness and will help the room feel less cramped.
Add Simple Touches that Elevate
Finally, adding some simple touches can quickly and effectively elevate your overall space. Putting your lotions, shampoos and other toiletries in amber or glass jars will get rid of plastic bottles and provide stylish storage options. Little wooden bowls serve as a good place to store bath salts, bath bombs and other fun bits.
Add your own personality with pieces you're drawn to or you've collected over the years, shells from a holiday or photographs of places you love. I love walking into a room that feels authentic and true to the people that live there.
Investing and upgrading your towels will help you feel good and level up the overall feel of your bathroom. Coordinate the colours with the room for a cohesive and pulled together feel.
Before you go - do you need some interior design help? Let's work together! Schedule a 30-minute FREE call with me to discuss your project.
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