7 tips for designing a beautiful bathroom
Aside from the kitchen, when it comes to homes, a bathroom is where homeowners tend to spend big when renovating. A beautiful bathroom adds value to your home and it’s worth planning a renovation carefully – here are 7 tips for designing the perfect bathroom.
Spend your money where it matters most
What is the first thing to do when you are renovating a bathroom? Choose your big items. While tiles and finishes such as towel racks can be done on a budget, buying cheap bathtubs, toilets or basins is a false economy. Basically, anything that comes into contact with water needs to be of a high-quality, so spend your money here if you’re working with a tight budget.
If you start planning now, there’s often some good bargains to be had in the new year, so keep an eye on bathroom manufacturers’ websites and look out for sales. Choosing these items carefully, planning your space and seeking professional advice will set you up for success when starting a bathroom renovation.
Provide a variety of light sources
While bright overhead lighting is great for putting on makeup, it’s not so enjoyable if you want to have a relaxing bath at the end of the day. Having a wall lamp over the mirror, or strip lights over the vanity will mean you can adjust the lighting depending on what you are doing.
Make the most of the walls
Wall hung fittings, such as toilets and basins, are easier for cleaning and will make your bathroom look bigger. A wall-hung mirror looks great, and wall-hung cabinets add valuable storage space – look for an old vintage cabinet if you want to add some character. Use the freed-up floor space for lidded baskets for storing extra towels and toilet rolls, and for your washing basket for a clean, organised look.
Go for lighter colours
Bathrooms tend to be quite small and sometimes dark so, as with any tight space, it’s a good idea to choose lighter colours. A base of white, or a pale blue, green or soft pink, will all work well. Using the same colour on the ceiling and doors will also make the space look larger.
For towels and other accessories, choose one or two feature colours and stick to them across towels, soap holders and plant pots. This will make your bathroom look more ‘pulled together.’
Plan your storage carefully
If you’re adding a new vanity, it might be worth having one designed and custom-built for your space, with drawers and built-in shelving for towels. Drawers and cupboards should have dividers, and a magnetic strip inside a cupboard can be used for tweezers and scissors. For a bit of character, have a look in antique shops for vintage bowls and small plates that can be repurposed as soap dishes or containers for toiletries, always keeping in mind your colour scheme.
Add a little luxury
If you have space, a deep-pile rug next to the bathtub can look luxurious and is just as practical as a bathmat. Other small luxuries include candles and candlesticks – both scented candles and long plain ones in vintage holders look great. Kenshi Candles are made in Melbourne and their vintage-style bottles will look great in any bathroom. They come in a range of enticing fragrances such as Coconut & Lime and Sage and Sea Salt – perfect for a relaxing bath. Other good ways to make your bathroom look great are a few framed pictures and some trailing pot plants – here are some that don’t mind a bit of humidity.
Look to the latest trends – but don’t get carried away
The great thing about a bathroom is that you can have neutral, timeless fittings but change the accessories, such as towels and mats, to update your bathroom without spending a fortune.
Right now, the trend is for bold vibrant colours and round shapes in items such as washing baskets and mirrors. If you’re selling, think about updating the styling of your bathroom to incorporate the latest fashions. It will give your bathroom fresh appeal without the expense of a full renovation.
Thinking of selling? Here at Est Property we are always happy to talk to people thinking of putting their home on the market – feel free to give us a call.
