Hi, please post photos and a plan, even if hand drawn. Is this a different bathroom from your February thread?

Yes, It is the same bathroom, but I have decided not to try to split it into 2 bathrooms and just renovate the bathroom that had the blue bath and sink and pink walls. I have been doing full-time study since February and so had to put the renos on hold for a while.

i suggest a walk in shower the full width of the window wall but make the glass no more than 1m wide to allow for entry with a shower grate across the entry, place the the toilet in the corner and rehang the door to open against the toilet (with suitable door stop) and you'll have room for a 1200mm wide vanity with storage (integral sink is the most economical and spacious looking) plus a mirrored medicine cabinet (extra storage can be created with decorative shelves above the toilet. Leave the window intact and install some stick on window film, a venetian blind or paint the glass with diluted water based paint for a frosted privacy effect and add a security screen. We found some swimming pool tiles that have the look and feel (non slip) of marble mosaic (50mm sq) a gorgeous grey colour and look excellent with 1960's style 150mm square white wall tiles with white trim and coving...good luck!

Thank you both to oklouise & Trudy, from Allsopp Interiors. This is fantastic advice. I was at mums today and she has a bathroom of similar size. Just from what I saw of her bathroom, I think even a frameless shower is likely to close up the room if the vanity is put on the far wall and the shower is in the corner as you walk in the room, so yes I will go with the design that oklouise suggested and whilst windows look beautiful in the bathroom, the window on the wall that directly faces south and so will not get that much sun and so I think I will most likely go for a sunlight. I will think about whether to have a high window or the sunlight for a few more days though. Also I can both points of view re the door opening. I can see the logic of it hiding the toilet but it ends up resting on the toilet to stay open, it may close up the space a bit. The aim for this bathroom is for it to look as big as possible with the space available and for it to fit with the style of the rest of the house. Thanks so much for the great ideas!!!!!!!!!!! Trudy the type of shower is exactly what I was hoping to get. I have accounted for (I THINK???) the typical expenses in a bathroom with the 1m wide shower panel etc.....I am probably more concerned with the cost of the vanity and the tiles as when I look back on the pictures that I have saved on pinterest and House, they appear to have hexagonal marble, ,penny and subway tiles and the 1960's sideboards (which I love) but will cost a bit...I also really need to get a bit of storage in the bathroom if that this possible. Mums bathroom has a linen closet on the outside of it and the wall goes in about 45cm into her bathroom and then the shower starts from there. In the design that I will use "oklouise"'s shower, vanity and toilet layout - it would mean that the toilet could be a recessed type and the cistern would be in the back of a cupboard if I was to go for a linen cupboard outside the bathroom - but that may close up the space in the bathroom a bit.....what do you think???

Some more feedback/food for thought - with every room you'll find there are compromises, or another way of looking at it is working out your priorities.

In your situation you are really keen to create some storage space for linen but also want the space to look as large as possible.

So let's look at the space you have, 3.08 m

You'll need to allocate 1000mm for shower and 800mm for toilet (including space each side), that leaves you 1208mm to house your vanity. You also need to take off, say 150mm from that figure for space between shower and vanity, leaving you 1058mm for vanity cabinet. So if you want to try to steel some space from the overall length for a linen cupboard you will need to reduce the size of your vanity unit by almost half. And the room will be smaller and less spacious, probably not such a great idea.

Its strange for me interacting with you because there is so much I don't know!! As a designer a lot is communicated by way of sitting in my clients home - re lifestyle etc. anyway, I will continue.

Given that our bathroom is generally the smallest room in the house, it is probably sensible to look at other areas in your home for a proper linen cupboard/space. A section in a wardrobe, a cupboard in the laundry, a freestanding piece of furniture, there are many options.

You can still maximise your bathroom storage by using your cabinet for towels and a mirrored cabinet above the vanity for all your toiletries. These are an excellent way to store items especially as we get older, as there is no bending, and when you open the cupboard everything is displayed neatly in a row and easily seen.

A wall hung or floating cabinet will give a more spacious feeling, and if you choose one that still has some decent storage space you will win on both fronts.

Moving on to tiles, the best way to be cost effective with tiles is to use less!!! Floor tiles are a given, but wall tiles can be used where needed rather than everywhere. You could tile just the shower area and the splash back area behind the vanity, alternatively tile the wall where toilet and vanity are mounted but just to the bottom of the mirrored cabinet. Then leave the remaining walls untiled. A moderate tile budget would be $70 per sm, plus the same per sm for laying (at least). And then of course you need to factor in the waterproofing for the shower area.

In terms of tile selection, I would definitely steer clear of things that fall into fashion items, the hexagonal marble tiles definitely fall into this category. You can't go wrong with a charcoal tile to floor, and a white subway/rectangular tile to the walls. It's a timeless look that won't date. And you can accessorise the room with any colour you like, as the years pass with a grey and whit colour scheme.

Some timber detailing in the vanity unit will add some interest to the space and if you love timber then this would certainly be worth pursuing.

Let me know how you get on with your project I'd love to see some photos when your on the home straight, and don't forget to take some before shots. Enjoy!

Regards

Trudy Allsopp

Allsopp Interiors

Thanks Trudy....your advice is excellent...I will upload some photos of the current bathroom space (before I started ripping the sheeting off the walls, and removed the basin and bath). I think I will definitely do a rectangle skylight. The current bathroom has an ugly storage space behind sliding doors. I have not included it in the 3080mm x 1800mm dimensions as I was going to temporarily oddly access it via the hallway and then at a later date use it for an ensuite space but have decided this is a silly idea and will just use it now as part of the current bathroom reno. The space that it adds to the bathroom is a width of 900mm and a depth of 700mm behind the current entry door to the bathroom. The space that it takes up in the hallway is an additional 430mm (which is depth of hallway cupboard and therefore hallway cupboard is 700mm wide). I will also add some photos of bathroom pictures that I love as well as a picture of a sideboard in my lounge room (the style of which I would love to continue in bathroom if possible). I was hoping to have a vanity of 1200mm wide (at least, if possible). I really like the colour of concrete or the light colour that the marble tiles throw for a floor (even if they are not marble). I am a bit afraid that charcoal may be a bit dark. I really like neutral colours, but you are right in considering whether something will date. I would like this bathroom to be in fashion in 15 years time....timeless. :o).........Thanks for your advice...you are pointing out things that I hadn't considered.

[https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/need-help-for-design-of-very-small-bathroom-and-ensuite-dsvw-vd~3668618[(https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/need-help-for-design-of-very-small-bathroom-and-ensuite-dsvw-vd~3668618)

The picture of the current bathroom is in my post earlier this year when I was thinking of doing an ensuite at the same time, but I have decided to just do the main bathroom in its current space. I will close up the window and put in a skylight as I really don't know the long term plan for the house yet. The current door opens to the right in the photo and behind that door is the sliding door to the cupboard which takes up the whole height of the room - tall sliding doors and then 2 smaller ones up higher. I don't really like the position of the cupboard but if I keep it, unless I change the way the door opens, it will still open onto the cupboard.

unless you need a ventilating skylight check out the new Solar Skylights (not solar tubes) these have a small solar panel on the roof, connected by a long cable fed under the ridge capping, to a ceiling mounted panel that looks just like a flat ceiling light..DIY installation, much cheaper, no leak risking hole in the roof and beautiful inside light anywhere you need it!

Here is my idea book of things I have saved on houzz that I like...I have also added pictures that i found on pinterest.....i am trying to get a classic bathroom that has hints of 1960's and that will not look out of place in 15 years time when i assume it will possibly need some work...... i do like the picture where they have the built in storage cabinet in the bathroom and it is in the oak timber veneer look (i used to hate the fake ness of the veneers but it has certainly grown on me since i have been looking at the beautiful 1960's parker/danish furniture etc). My favourite bathrooms are in this link but below are some more bathrooms that i also like ..http://www.houzz.com.au/ideabooks/74748278/thumbs/what-i-like-in-bathrooms

the first thing you will see when you enter my bathroom will be the shower at the end wall as it is 1.8m wide and 3.08m long...i may have to have the door open on the toilet (or vanity) if i wish to use the existing cavity space of 0.7 x 0.9 m in the wall for a built in cupboard in bathroom (see floor plan in earlier link to my bathroom) [https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/need-help-for-design-of-very-small-bathroom-and-ensuite-dsvw-vd~3668618[(https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/need-help-for-design-of-very-small-bathroom-and-ensuite-dsvw-vd~3668618)

otherwise a cavity door is another option...it will be so nice to not see a tiled in box shower as the first thing you see in the bathroom (once the reno is done)..

whilst i like the heavily patterned floors as in some of the photos, i think i would be too nervous to put them in my bathroom as it may be something that you get sick of after a while.....my kitchen has been given quite a modern renovation but it is very neutral (i had intended to bring in touches of retro with the kitchen appliances and some artwork and bright(or 1960's pastel) accessory colours...)...the kitchen cupboards are white (a warm white, but don't look cream...look white). the kitchen walls are in Dulux Snowy Mountain (i think). The bench tops are quantumstone Luna White and the glass splash back is a colour that almost disappears into the wall colour. the floors are mixed hardwood. The rest of the house has been painted Dulux Snowy Mountain living room or Dulux Natural white in bedrooms. Apart from the kitchen/living area, that has plaster walls and ceiling and old casement windows, the rest of the house has just been painted and is still the old masonite walls with curved cover strips over the sheet joins and also an asbestos ceiling (which i will get professionally removed before the bathroom reno commences).

my son and d-i-l just finished their new family bathroom with some colourful exotic tiles around the top of the built in bathtub with coordinating paint on the wall behind the tub...easily updated in future for the cost of less than 1m of tiles and some paint: looks fabulous..a same small section of pattern could be a vertical or horizontal stripe in wall or floor tiles or edging on corners, window sills, architrave or skirting tiles

mmm...Thank oklouise. I wonder whether you have been in the interior design business because you seem to give lots of good advice.

another I just saw from someone else's post...just looks good..

ok louise, you wouldn't happen to remember where you got the mosaic marble look pool tiles that you mentioned or have a picture of them please??

here's a photo of our (grey marble look) pool tiles on the floor of the family bathroom, we have a few spare tiles but none with any identifying marks. They're from Amber and i had a quick look online but couldn't see the same ones although you may have better luck checking in person at any tile shop for something similar, keep in mind that you only need about 3.6 sq m of floor tiles so you may be able to find a good deal on a "remnant" Our tiles are 50mm square (we also have the same colour in a small rectangle) as we find that the smaller floor tiles provide a better non slip surface when wet. Wanting a neutral 50-60s look we chose 150mm square matt white wall tiles with the white coving and edge trim around windows and doors..We're very happy with the result but the trim and coving cost more than all the tiles so double check how much you need because it's an optional extra

Thanks oklouise - I will check out them out. Your help and everyone else's is very much appreciated. It is a real learning curve doing renovations and trying to design the look.

hi we have about six months ago now, re done our bath room , similar size to yours, and , i can take some photos and email them to you , we have maximised space, and walls , put in a white stone bath under the window , it is a metre in width , with a cool water spout coming off the centre under the window we pu t afalse ledge in to sit , candles etc on , , we tiles floor to ceiling, off white , wall mirror cabnit with three mirrors , inset into the wall so its only sits out a we bit from the wall tiles , floating bath room vanity , so that it makes the floor space look bigger , . matching stone square basin sits ontop of the vanity to one side so plenty of room to sit all your bath room stuff when need be , seperate shower all tiled as well , with inset , shelves for shampoo etc, also , when you open the bath room door and walk in when you close the bath room door behind it next to the shower is a very narrow floor to ceiling shelvec for towels, now the hole is there we jaust havent got the shelves put in yet. , we gt loads of comments as the bth room dosent look small evn though it is , , most expensive item the sqwat extra wide stone bath , made to order basin / tap ware and shower spray thing ,oh and the white stone vanity which we had made to order as well , due to the sizing .

Hi Michele, I have a very small bathroom and would really appreciate seeing your photos, every week I change my mind , on what to do, as I didn't think it possible to have a bath in such a small bathroom, that was until I read your post.

HATE bench mounted handbasins for all the reasons mentioned by dalelesley but what happens when you accidental hit the side with a glass and they look so clumsy without lots of counter on each side and there are so many better looking choices

Hi there. I am renovating a tiny bathroom too and have also done a couple in the past. A couple of thoughts.

1. Love marble tiles, can't afford and hate the look of marble-style tiles? Look harder. There are some brilliant marble look tiles, we've just chosen marble-look tiles and they are gorgeous. Find yourself a HELPful tile showroom and engage with them, they are your best resource.

2. Re mirroring. Seriously consider a mirrored above-counter vanity cabinet. They come in heaps of sizes and I put in the biggest I can fit...amazing how much storage you can get there.

3. Wall mounted cabinets. Look great, but the extra storage by having a unit that goes to the floor outweighs the visual benefit in my opinion when you are tight on space.

4. Timber accents in your cabinetry. Very on-trend at the moment and I love your images, but I think this look will date. I'd go for timber accessories instead and have fun with those while the look lasts.

5. Entry to the bathroom? Consider a sliding door.

Have fun!

I like the layout that has been suggested earlier in this post, with the walk-in shower at the end of the room. I would definitely remove the window. One of my relatives wanted to keep her timber framed window, but the builders advised against it, as there would eventually be problems with it rotting. I have a walk-in shower and two things that I would suggest are - one of those little recesses in the wall to hold shampoo etc - saves picking them up of the floor each time. The other one is to have the mixer for the shower on that the wall where the window is currently and the shower head on the left hand wall. That means that you can adjust the water temp before you step under the shower.

I also think that the basins that sit above the bench top will date relatively quickly. The drop in kind have been around for ever and are still in fashion.