How To Design A Bathroom

The key to a successful bathroom renovation is all in the planning. Whether you are looking to create a spa-inspired retreat or you're looking to turn your existing bathroom into a wet room, it will all begin with a solid plan.

Your bathroom is personal to you and those who live with you, so every bathroom needs to meet specific requirements. You should begin by deciding what you hope to get from the bathroom.

For example, if you are looking to maximise your space in your family bathroom, you will need to consider incorporating storage options along with a bath and shower. Or perhaps you are looking for a high-impact design for your downstairs cloakroom, in which case, design and aesthetics may be a higher priority over practicality.

Next, you will want to measure the space you are working with. Accurate dimensions are really important here so purchasing a laser measure could be a good idea. If not, a standard tape measure will do.

Once you have your measurements to hand, you can begin the fun bit, looking for bathroom inspiration!

Social media platforms such as Pinterest and Instagram are great places to get ideas for your design. Pinterest will also let you create mood boards, helping you to visualise and organise your inspiration as you go, helping to keep your aesthetic consistent and on track.

With your measurements and inspiration in hand, you can begin to plan your layout.

There are, of course, some things that are essential to a bathroom. Things such as toilets and sinks are an obvious example of the things you will need to include.

However, when it comes to showers and baths, you may prefer one or the other, or perhaps both. Factor these into your floor plan, ensuring you get your measurements as accurately as you can.

Don't forget, if you plan to move house in the short to medium term, removing a bath might not be everyone's cup of tea and could cause you a headache in the future.

Once you have your layout and essentials decided on, you'll need to decide on your walls and flooring. There are lots of options here and it can feel overwhelming but we're here to help.

For your flooring, you have multiple options to choose from. The best flooring options are those that can withstand moisture and humidity. But you also want to consider floors which are easy to clean and also provide some protection against slipping. Porcelain tiles are your best choice here but you can also consider Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) or ceramic floor tiles.

You should also tile any other areas surrounding the bath or shower as they can help to provide resistance against moisture. You could opt to tile the whole bathroom or you may decide to use a mix of tiles and painted areas. Whatever you decide to do, we have a wide range of bathroom tiles that can help bring your bathroom to life.

Got an idea of what you want but can’t quite imagine it? Our visualiser lets you upload a photo of your own home to try out floor and wall tile options. You can keep mixing and matching until you find your perfect combination – all from the comfort of your own home.

Small bathrooms often feel harder to design because you can feel more restricted by what you can achieve. However, there are lots of options out there which can help you make the most of your space, whatever size you are working with.

Incorporating a wall-mounted toilet and sink can help to create the illusion of more space as the flooring will be visible. Not only will it help to create this illusion but it will be much easier to clean, helping you to get into all the nooks and crannies that can sometimes get missed.

Corners of bathrooms are often overlooked, however, lots of bathroom fittings are available in corner fitting designs, helping you to use up otherwise wasted space.

When space is limited, multifunctional fittings can be a great addition to your bathroom. Fittings like a 2-in-1 wash basin and toilet or a vanity mirror with hidden storage can be great ways to save space whilst also still being practical and aesthetic.

Wet rooms are a great alternative if you are looking to renovate a small bathroom. You will be able to retain more valuable floor space by incorporating a shower area that blends seamlessly with the rest of the room.

As well as being nifty with your space there are several things you can do to make a small bathroom feel bigger.

Half tiles bathrooms are a recurring trend that can look great in bathrooms. However, if you are aiming to make your small bathroom feel bigger, you should try tiling from the floor to the ceiling. This can help to elongate the walls, making them appear taller and the space appear bigger.

Small tiles in a small bathroom can often make the space feel too busy, which isn’t ideal when you’re already working with limited space. Instead, opt for larger tiles as these can help to play to the illusion that the space is bigger. You can still include smaller tiles for a decorative feature such as splashback or window sill, however, large tiles should be reserved for most of the surface area.

Things like mirrors and glossy tiles are great for reflecting the light that enters the room. Try hanging a mirror on the most prominent wall or opposite any windows in the room. If you don’t have much natural light, artificial lights from your ceiling lights will work just as well. The tip here is to go as big as possible with the mirror to maximise the amount of reflection it gives.

Family bathrooms need to be the perfect blend of practicality and style. Keeping the space easy to maintain and clutter-free may be the top of your priority.

Baths are pretty much a requirement of any family bathroom, and it’s usually a case of bigger is better. However, if you are looking for something more practical, a shower bath can give you the luxury of having the choice of both whilst also helping you to save space.

Durability and practicality are a must when it comes to family bathrooms. Spills and accidents are bound to happen so including as many wipe-clean surfaces as you can is a bonus. When it comes to bathroom wall tiles and floor tiles there are so many styles and types to choose from.

With all of these ideas, you should now be fully equipped with all the inspiration you need to plan and design your dream bathroom. If you're ready to take the plunge, our visualiser can help you view our tiles in your own home.