Floating shelving below the window would be handy. Maybe underneath you could have some patterned tiles & downlights highlighting them. A couple of plants on the shelf would embrace the window/outdoors instead of shutting it out.

This is the same as our bathroom before we renovated, we swung the bath around under window and put vanity where bath was so we were able to use existing plumbing, so did not add to expense. Our old bathroom had similar useless low mirrors which were doors to medicine cupboard so took them out and tiled a recessed shelf.

Any thought ausio?

I'm not sure what they're called, but I've seen some awesome sliding panels installed in similar bathrooms where the windows are above the sink and one (or both) of them normally has a mirror finish so that you can look straight into the mirror when using the sink (e.g. when shaving). They're normally on a sliding track so that you can move them back and forth as necessary along the length of the wall to maximise the available lighting from the windows.

You could potentially utilise two or three tall and narrow panels on a sliding track and either mirror them all or mirror only one and cover the others in an interesting finish that will add some colour or texture to the room.

Here is an example:



Otherwise, I'd probably go with white tiles with a few white floating shelves for your commonly used items. I would also add a retractable/adjustable shaving mirror (or similar) on that wall because I personally find it really frustrating when I don't have a mirror directly above the vanity.

Maybe something like one of these:

What about setting the vanity further into the room so that you build a ledge behind it, so that it breaks up the line between the vanity and window, and at the same time gives you a ledge to store things on similar to this design of mine

Sorry about doing the three photos! You wouldn't have to have the ledge as deep, I've done some at 150mm and they look great with perfume and bottles on them, it gives the room a bit more dimension.

Thanks everyone! Turns out the tradesmen made a mistake and caused a leak, which they
needed to remove the bath to fix! So it has been turned onto the window wall after-all. This creates a whole new set of design questions of course, so I'll take some photos and jump back on when the drama settles down a bit

So I am struggling to load photos, but the shower will stay were it is and be 1100-1200mm wide on the long wall. A vanity will be next to it, 800mm wide white wall-hung white ceramic washbasin. The bath is now along the wall with the windows, with the head of the bath to the left and a 150mm gap to the wall that will be a ledge. The wall next to the door is blank.


The floor tiles will be a dark grey with a bit of variation, and these will continue into the shower. The wall tiles will be white ceramic (so a very very pale grey, only noticeable against pure white)
I wasn't going to tile the wall with the door, but now the bath head is there - should I?

Tapware is chrome (phoenix vivid slimline mixers in bath and shower, sussex scala basin mixer mini swivel)

The rest of the plan I'm not sure about.
Likely an 800mm wide mirror cabinet above the vanity (960mm high, which does not reach the ceiling, so a good height)
on the wall next to the cabinet perhaps a towel rack which will store a couple of clean dry towels on top and hanging others when needed. I did wonder about a huge mirror cabinet that goes over the bath as well, but the window sill means it would be just short of 1600 which doesn't work for2 x 800mm cabinets...and probably a bit silly having mirrors at the end of the bath anyway...but the temptation for more storage was high!
What height would you put the towel rack in relation to the adjacent window?

I don't want to overdo it with chrome accessories, and want to add some natural materials, particularly wood, in some way.

However for the wall near the door perhaps two simple chrome towel rails one above the other.
Not sure whether an installed chrome corner basket (or two) in the shower is a good idea or not - any opinions?

The wall above the bath will just be tiled, as I think floating shelved look a bit silly unless they go the length of the wall, and would rather have products etc tucked away.
It would be very good to have a shelf for plants however...

What do you think? What would you do differently?
What's missing? What's odd?

Thanks,
Aus

This towel rail: http://www.reece.com.au/bathrooms/products/9504329

This vanity: http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/S29879579/

This wall mixer for shower and bath: http://www.phoenixtapware.com.au/modules/mastop_publish/?tac=VIVID_SLIM_LINE_SHOWER_MIXER

This basin mixer: http://www.reece.com.au/bathrooms/products/sussex-scala-mini-small-curved-basinsink-mixer-225941

This mirror cabinet: http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/50218997/#/70218996

Perhaps this shower basket: http://www.reece.com.au/bathrooms/products/bathroom/accessories-and-homewares/shower-baskets/posh/posh-deep-corner-basket-2260173

For lighting the face while at the mirrored cabinet, I suppose I need a light from above as the cabinet doors will open and there will be no gap on the right hand side of the cabinet.

So something like this:

or this:


or this:


Any suggestions/ alternatives?
Thanks

Pictures of the bathroom as it is currently

http://www.houzz.com.au/ideabooks/42373955/thumbs/wip

Looks like it is going really well and the bath under window will be so much better! If you can afford it I would tile wall opp vanity. If not it will be fine painted a similar colour. Also that is a good wall for towel rack/s. Be careful of those wide racks as they are tricky to get towels onto and then if loaded up an weigh a ton. I would do 2 racks with 2 rails rather than one with 4 rails. Natural elements sound good. If making the window bigger was possible this is the time to do it. You can then add some lovely shutters. It would really improve room and complement bath. If timber veneer walls you may be able to recess cabinet. Again just a thought. All looking great! Keep going (well you have no choice now! ).

Thanks for the comments. OK, have decided to tile the whole room.
Making the windows bigger would require approval of all owners in the block and building plans etc so too hard!
Still not sure about lighting - at the moment there is an old oyster light, but there will need to be task lighting in the form of proper face lighting for a person at the vanity at night. With low ceilings can I achieve this with downlights or will that be ugly lighting?
I need to decide tomorrow as electrician will prepare the sockets near the door for wall tiling and should prepare whatever is needed on the vanity wall.

I haven't ordered yet but I'm thinking of one of these rails near door (where the old on was) http://www.sydneytaps.com.au/hotwaterheaters/double-towel-rail/festival-double-towel-rail141130091954.html

That wall will be quite blank but would two of these (one at waist height and the other half a towel length higher) be overdoing it? If it's just one I suppose we can hang an artwork or a plant somehow

Am I the only one who actually likes this bathroom. The only thing I would change is the mirrors on the wall. I would get a framed mirror with a rope hanger. You can search mirror in front of window on Houzz. I would paint and accessorize using the colors that are in the wall tile and the floor. There is potential you just need to think outside the box.

Opps guess I was a little late on my comments. Lol

I am not the best person to comment on lights but would a few downlights be the go or one of those integrated heat/fan/light things be best in centre. Also a lot of people have task lighting......so lights just above the mirror for makeup etc. Personally too bright lighting while doing makeup sends me into a spin as I look like i have about a month to live! I hadn't thought of approvals for my proposed window - so thanks for that. Must keep that in mind. My bathroom is very hidden and looks nowhere in particular. It is all looking good. On another note my friend got a heated towel rail and much as I hate wasting power it is fab. Our towels seems to stay dampish in uninsulated BV '60 box in Melbourne. Also i would have a look in bathroom showrooms for some ideas too if you have any handy. Or buy a bathroom specialty magazine. It is going to be so nice this bathroom. What tiles etc?

Hi auslo, hope it is all going well.

My daughter renovated the exact bathroom and sold her house. Have looked online for a photo, all I could find is a You tube video, just a quick glimpse. Go on you tube, 135 Northlake road willagee.
The bath was sprayed, not replaced. Might be worth a look.

Hi Auslo
This is really weird but we're in the early stages of renovating our bathroom that has the same layout as yours!! The weird thing is my thought patterns have been exactly like yours!!! Do I switch the bath so I can have a proper mirror over vanity, worried about expense, same tile colours we've picked with same ideas and uncertainties of which or all walls tiled. You've also picked a vanity from ikea I've been eyeing off and the same tapwear!!??
So freaky!! I'll be watching your progress!! NB. I'm thinking of doing chunky hooks for the towels to save space over railing!!??
Have fun!!

Any updates since April?

I've been refreshing my bathroom if anyone would like to see that too: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/design-on-a-dime-literally-dsvw-vd~3025418

I like Sophia's ideas. Also, be careful putting racks over the bath - make sure they are not so low that you hit your head when you stand up!