When it comes to designing, decorating, and renovating our homes, bathrooms often go neglected. While it’s easy to dismiss our bathrooms as places for simply washing and using the toilet, redesigning the space can significantly increase your level of everyday comfort, reduce your household outgoings and even boost the value of your home.
Why redesign your bathroom?
We spend around 30 minutes in the bathroom each day, which works out at an average of at least 182 hours every year – considering that we use the space so regularly, there’s no sense in letting our bathrooms deteriorate. Because of the presence of bacteria, moisture, and condensation, bathrooms are particularly susceptible to dampness and rot, which can lead to potentially costly structural issues further down the line and significantly reduce the value of your property. If your bathroom needs sprucing up or you’re considering a redesign or renovation project, check out these essential steps for success:
1. Tiles
Bathroom tiles can easily become damp, moldy, and discolored – by replacing the tiles and ceramic features of the space, you’ll instantly refresh your bathroom and start working towards your long-term design goals. Ensure that the choice of tiles complements your desired color scheme – white and grey tiles tend to be the most common in modern bathroom spaces, but 1980s-style patterned/colored tiles are making a comeback this year. Try to go with high-quality materials such as porcelain, which is significantly more hard-wearing than common ceramics.
2. Shower
By replacing existing shower fittings and upgrading your shower enclosure, you can enhance the look of your bathroom, improve functionality and incorporate your own personal design into the space. For maximum impact, consider investing in modern fixtures and fittings such as wet rooms and waterfall showerheads – this will add a luxury feel and increase the value if you’re looking to sell the property.
3. Toilet and sink
Just like tiles and ceramics, the appearance of sinks and toilets can quickly deteriorate, especially in older models. It’s worth remembering that toilets and sinks often serve as the focal point of smaller bathrooms, so ensure that these are as aesthetically pleasing as possible. While it’s essential to regularly clean and maintains your bathroom, new and high-quality fixtures and fittings are significantly more low-maintenance, reducing costs in the long run.
4. Paint and color
When it comes to painting your bathroom and deciding on colors, don’t be afraid to get creative – whites and greys are the most common choices for modern bathrooms, but that doesn’t mean you can’t inject some vibrant tones and flourishes to illuminate the space. Consider getting in on the color-matching trend when painting or choosing tiles and ensure that you use water-resistant paint to avoid peeling, dampness, and future renovation costs.