Much like kitchens, bathrooms are becoming the selling point of any home so having a modern, practical space will enhance the appeal of your home dramatically. But whether you’re planning to sell or not, it’s still nice to get the details right if you decide to renovate. Here are some tips on turning your tired space into a luxurious retreat.
Getting started
Before anything, you need a plan. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Complete a needs analysis and set out your non-negotiable elements and areas of compromise. What do you actually want to achieve? Are you wanting to create a peaceful space where you can unwind at the end of a long day or do you have a growing family and need some extra storage? Answering questions like these will determine what direction your bathroom renovation will go in so take the time to develop a clear idea of what your bathroom will be used for.
Layout The right layout is essential to create a beautiful, functional space. Consider ambience, flow and especially practicality when developing your bathroom layout. If you’re working with an architect, be sure to let them know your non-negotiable elements. A focal point is also another big consideration, when you look into any bathroom, you should always have a striking focal point. Generally, it’s the vanity as that’s usually the biggest item in the room but a gorgeous free standing bath can also create a stunning focal point. Something else to consider is the features you want in your bathroom such as maximising natural light or ensuring there’s space for greenery to enhance the rooms air quality.
Toilet If your master bathroom has a toilet in the same room but the space is generous, consider a separate toilet compartment in your arrangement for the ultimate privacy. But if you find that setup a little claustrophobic, then placing the toilet out of the direct line of sight, off to one side or behind the door or vanity can help increase privacy. You can also utilise nib walls or tempered glass panels which take up very little floor space.
Shower The shower is one of the most used features of your bathroom so it’s important to get this detail right for you. From selecting a privacy screen to deciding on a shower head, there’s definitely plenty of choices.
You can have a fixed or hand-held shower head (or both!), you can choose between high- and low-pressure jets, you can have a single mixer tap or separate for hot and cold, and you can even select the design of your floor waste. Do you want a framed, frameless or semi-frameless shower screen?
Or would you prefer no screen at all? Chat to a builder or designer to learn more about your options and how you can decide what’s right for you.
Bath To bath or not to bath? That is the question! If a bathtub is in your plan, there is a limitless range of designs to choose from. A freestanding bath is a statement in its own right, recessed bathtubs use minimal space and jacuzzis add a touch of luxury. It all depends on the amount of space you have available and your intentions.
Vanity Having a sink is essential, it’s deciding on whether to have one or two that’s the dilemma. If you have room for it, his and hers sinks can be of benefit if you and your partner get ready at the same time, or you have two or more children.
Be mindful of the bench space and type of storage, if you have a small vanity with only two draws, you may need a storage cabinet behind the mirror and if you want two sinks, make sure your vanity is at least 1.5m wide.
Storage Everybody loves storage! And without it, your bathroom is both impractical and cluttered, so ensuring you have ample room for toiletries, towels and all the bits and bobs will help keep your space looking and feeling relaxed. Opting for a face-height cabinet with mirror is a clever way to incorporate extra storage and of course, utilising your vanity cabinet drawers. But there’s always shelves, recessed niches or ledge-styled shelves along one wall to help keep the clutter off of the vanity benchtop.
Fixtures and Fittings This one may seem a little redundant, but the right tap can make all the difference! The right fixtures and fittings will complement your bathroom design, the wrong fixtures and fittings will destroy its ambience. Tapware comes in an array of different materials, including chrome, gold, black, stainless steel, brass, rose gold and more. You can opt for a wall mixer set if you lack space on the vanity top, you can choose an extravagant bath tap coming from the floor if you have a free standing bath and all of these options come in various shapes such as square and round. All in all, it’s the finer details that will set your bathroom apart from others.
Tiles Much like fixtures and fittings, you might not think your tile selection may be a big deal but they can be the difference between your bathroom feeling spacious or cramped. There is simply a limitless amount of options to choose from when selecting tiles, from floor tiles to wall tiles, feature borders, feature walls, niche tiles and more.
Some things to consider when choosing your tiles is how big your bathroom is (vertical tiles can make the room look taller and visa versa), the ambience you want to create (patterned tiles vs plain), your colour scheme and if you plan to resell anytime soon. Tiles come in many different materials too, there’s ceramic, glass, natural stone, porcelain and clay, so researching the pros and cons of each option will help you make your choice.
Lighting Light it up! You should never overlook the importance of creating a space with welcoming light. You want to be able to see clearly in your bathroom, especially when you’re getting ready to go out, as well as utilise the lighting to create ambience for those nights where you want a relaxing bath. There’s plenty of lighting styles to choose from, whether you’re after soft LED downlights, wall hung lights or a single feature light next to the mirror, one thing you need to make sure of is that it’s compliant with national bathroom standards so it pays to get some advice from a builder or electrician.
With careful planning, your master bathroom can be a functional, luxurious space regardless of your budget. If you struggle to see the final result, enlist the help of an interior designer or builder to help guide you. Planning your master bathroom will require consideration of all the above points, and when thought out and planned correctly, will be sure to keep your happy and relaxed for years to come.
(All photos of ZJ Building Birdwood Bathroom Renovation)