bathroom
The family bathroom after works. Both bathrooms: cabinetry finished in Quarter-cut European Oak veneer; Alpine White quartz benchtop: Quantum Quartz; Berlin 157 floor and floor tiles: Signorino Tile Gallery; Elysian brushed-copper tapware: ABI Interiors; Kado Lussi solid surface bath: Reece; Custom mirror cabinet.
5. Set up seating A shower bench is a functional addition that we often recommend. Not only is it a place to sit and shave or wash, it can also help people with balance, strength or endurance difficulties. A shower ledge also provides a generous surface to place products on. Or it can just be a spot to take a moment and let the hot water wash over you. In terms of materials, I always like to recommend a slab finish, at least for the top of the bench. This could be marble or quartz, for example. Usually I recommend matching the bench-seat slab top to your vanity top for design continuity. I wouldn’t recommend tiling the top of your ledge, however, because the grout lines can be uncomfortable to sit on and difficult to clean.
terrazzo
terrazzo and niche
Here’s a peek at the terrazzo’s rose tones (and how well they are complemented by the gold-hued tapware).
9. Shower controls near the entrance Nobody likes getting sprayed with cold water when reaching in to turn on the shower. Placing the controls on the opposite side of the shower head will add some extra expense to a renovation, but it’s a feature you’ll appreciate every day.
6. A handheld shower head A handheld sprayer might seem like a small detail, but its inclusion can have an enormous effect on the shower experience. They’re great for rinsing shaved legs, cleaning shower walls and more. “I always recommend adding a handheld in the shower,” says designer Chloe Rideout of Cummings Architecture + Interiors. “It makes cleaning pets, kids or the walls so much easier.”
Storage, storage, storage A bathroom can’t function without proper storage. And most pros recommend a mix of open, closed, drawer, cabinet, niche or any other necessary solutions. “You always need a lot of storage for towels and other bathroom accessories, and there are so many ways to include bathroom storage in a beautiful and functional way with gorgeous cabinetry,” says designer Christie Veres of CDV Interiors. Designer Melvin Stoltzfus often recommends a hidden laundry basket near a shower, either in a vanity unit or linen cabinet, to prevent dirty clothes and towels from piling up.
2. The right lighting Attention to lighting is also high on bathroom renovation pros’ recommendation lists. They encourage a layered approach, with overhead lights, accent lights such as sconces, and decorative lighting, such as chandeliers. If you get up frequently during the night, don’t forget to include a nightlight. “I like to do these at the toe kick or underside of a floating vanity,” designer Jamie Leonard of Vertical Interior Design says. “This light is set on a sensor so it’s only on at night or when the room’s dark. This helps with those middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks so you don’t blind yourself.” If possible, a skylight over the shower, preferably operable for ventilation, is something you’ll never regret. And a dimmer switch for light fixtures is a must, pros say. “Sometimes you want it to be dim; sometimes you need to shave or put on make-up,” says architect Tim Barber. “We strive for several different choices of lighting to set a mood.” And be sure to cast yourself in the best light. “Always install lighting on the sides of the mirror, so there aren’t shadows on your face,” says designer Tiffany Waugh.
want built in bath to use as seat want smaller window want stretching hose spray I like the order vanity, shower bath
bath in shower
Overhead mirrored shaving cabinets are a great way to store lots of products. With their shallow shelves, items are easy to see and access. Including a power point in your shelving cabinet is a smart upgrade as it allows you to keep your electric toothbrush off your vanity top, and it will always be fully charged. If space in the bathroom permits, another great option is the inclusion of a tall storage cabinet, which you can use to store spare towels and toilet rolls.
Heated towel rails Install a decent heated towel rail in your bathroom and chances are it may be enough to not only warm your towels but also the entire room, so you may not require any additional heating. Style-wise, heated towel rails have come a long way in recent years and make for an attractive feature on your bathroom wall. They can now be custom-coloured to your bathroom scheme and come in clean, minimalistic styles.
note proximity of bath and shower
shelves behind bath and shower. In one section?
storage behind mirror
. A shower niche Dispense with the shower shelf and opt for a niche instead – it provides a neat, practical spot to store shampoos and soap, and it won’t encroach on your standing space in the shower. Plus, a niche creates a far more sophisticated and streamlined look.
6. Custom joinery Custom joinery is probably my favourite upgrade as it adds so much to a bathroom. Often clients will start off thinking they will buy something off the shelf. However, you can never achieve the perfect fit, look and functionality this way. I always encourage clients to spend a little more for custom joinery so they can achieve an outcome that is completely tailored to their bathroom and their individual needs. Custom joinery can add $2,000 or more to the overall costs. And again, it needs to be decided upon in the planning stage of your build or renovation to allow for space planning.
2. Integrated power points If you have chargeable shavers or electrical toothbrushes or if you plan on using or charging any electrical devices in the bathroom, consider installing power points inside cabinets or drawers to avoid benchtop clutter and messy, dangling power cords. Power docks aren’t just for custom vanities – you’ll find them in some off-the-shelf vanities too. Just be sure to tell your electrician early on that you want power points integrated into your vanity or drawers so he or she can plan for them.
Think how you’ll use and move through the space when planning where to position accessories on your bathroom layout. Put towel rails where they will be within easy reach of the shower, bath and vanity. Put hand towel rails in spots where they will not prevent vanity drawers and doors from opening. Also ensure that noggins (the structural timbers installed within the framework of a wall) are installed before wall claddings are applied so accessories are fixed to a secure point.
Consider how you use the bathroom and exactly which items need to be stored there – measure them and give them a dedicated home. For example, electric toothbrushes and shavers can be stored in a recessed mirrored cabinet with power inside; shallow drawers with dividers are great for make-up; and towels and standing toiletries can be placed in deep drawers.
If you have a large bathroom, consider dividing it into separate zones for the bath, shower, vanity and toilet. This may be as simple as putting a stud wall into the centre of the room. Creating zones will enhance your experience of the bathroom and make it feel more luxurious.
Plan a layered lighting scheme that includes several different lighting sources. It should feature lighting for ambience; concealed LED strips are a great option as they don’t consume much energy and can be left on to create a low-key mood. Put them under vanities and shaving cabinets, behind mirrors and in shower niches. Then add in lighting for other purposes. For example, incorporate task lighting to assist with grooming or putting on make-up, such as a pair of wall lights (sconces) on either side of the mirror. These will illuminate your face from the front, which is the most effective and flattering direction. Tip: Ask your electrician to wire lights so they can be turned on independently – this will let you adjust the lighting levels and mood.
studio ester
A contrasting shelving nook adds wow factor and provides a handy spot for towels and bath toys.
the timber bench seat here conceals a laundry chute, while the seamless vanity hides two generous storage drawers.
Do opt for neutrals for longevity When it comes to the higher-end products such as showers, baths and basins, selecting a neutral palette means they’re less likely to date. Opting for neutrals for the big-ticket items in your ensuite makes it a blank canvas, which you can then update seasonally with less-costly statement pieces and colours, such as vanity-top accessories, towels and small storage.
Unless you are lucky enough to own a large ensuite, don’t try to fit a family-sized bathroom into the space. Keep the bathtub in the family bathroom where your children can use it, consider a shower for your ensuite and add in smart storage or a slimline vanity as opposed to a bulky style.
Do keep the layout simple Ensuites are generally smaller than family bathrooms so to optimise the space and prevent it from feeling cluttered, keep the layout simple. Placing the basin, toilet and shower along one wall keeps circulation space on the opposite side of the room, making the room appear bigger and feel more comfortable to move around in.
Do include a shower ledge or recessed alcove And make it extend across the full width of the shower to visually elongate the room and create a sense of generosity within the design. A generous shower ledge or alcove also gives you plenty of room to store shampoo and soap, without the need for an applied shelf.
Who lives here: A couple with two young children Location: Brighton, Victoria Number of bedrooms and bathrooms: Four bedrooms and one bathroom House size before works: Around 160 square metres House size after works: Around 270 square metres Budget: AU$800,000 to $900,000 Year project started: 2020 Year project completed: 2020 Builder: Everlong Constructions Interior designer: Homeroom Studio Draftsperson: Elements of Home
Q