Bathroom
After: The couple gets a bright, warm bathroom, designed by Brian Osborne of Osborne Construction and Niko Dyshniku of Kole Made, complete with a large shower. (Note: a glass panel was added to create a side on the shower after this photo was taken.) The couple had fewer reservations about having only a shower in this space because the home has another bathroom with a tub.
After: A large glass shower greets the homeowners, who chose a plan that would age along with them. The designer, Christa Pirl of Christa Pirl Interiors, focused on adding a shower that allowed easy access should the couple have any mobility problems in the future, something their previous tub didn’t do.
Toilet and shower hidden Frosted panels To get the best of both worlds, have your shower glass frosted to create a privacy panel, with fully transparent sections at the top and the bottom. This allows for longer sightlines that open the space, but it also keeps the majority of the enclosure hidden. Glass panels like this also make a great divider around your toilet, creating a private space within a shared bathroom.
9. Appreciate empty spaces Allowing some areas to be left bare is just as important as the items with which you choose to fill your room. Whether it’s within the floor layout or on the walls, a little space allows the room to breathe and prevents a cluttered look. It also creates some contrast and allows the other areas of the room to have their moment. Think of it as punctuation. Just because a space is empty doesn’t mean you have to fill it. In this serene bathroom, the walls are left bare and, despite its large size, much of the space is empty. This draws the eye to the freestanding bath and allows you to appreciate the unusual slope of the eaves without distraction.
7. A luxurious tub Having a standalone shower in my dream bathroom doesn’t mean I can’t have a tub too. Few things say ‘luxury’ more in a bathroom than having a freestanding tub. Whether you have the floor space for a separate tub and shower or not, you can make your bath feel extra luxurious by adding a small stool to act as a resting place for a book, candle or glass of wine. A perfectly fitted tub tray will keep essentials even closer.
6. A custom shower stall Think shower stalls are only for minimalist homes with no space for a bathtub? An elegant shower, sans tub, can be a beautiful, luxurious part of a more traditional or transitional home as well – it all depends on how you style it. You can stick to minimalist lines, or use moulding, rich tile and elaborate hardware to bring some traditional grace and strike the right balance for you.
5. Layered lighting Even in my dream bathroom, my statement pendant can’t be expected to do all the heavy lifting – or should I say light lifting? To make your space, and particularly your mirrors, well-lit, you need a good layered lighting scheme. Using lights that glow from beside, above or behind the mirror will light your face properly so you don’t miss a spot during your morning routine.
2. Quality essentials Let me be clear: my dream bathroom doesn’t just look pretty – it works well and is built to last too. While plumbing essentials like the toilet may not be exciting items to invest in, using good-quality pieces will reduce the risk of messy leaks and will save you the task of having to buy again in a few years’ time.
Find the right environment for your plants Be sure to read the instructions that come with pot plants and follow them closely, particularly with regard to light levels, watering and soil moisture. A living area is a good place to start placing plants if you’re new to tending them, as they generally have a good variety of light levels (so you can move plants around until you find their optimal spots) and a relatively constant temperature.
Storage becomes your new best friend The double vanity, benchtop and plentiful storage you’ve taken for granted may well be things you miss about your old bathroom – and this could be one of the first rooms you renovate in your new home. In the meantime, rest assured that you’ll get used to having less surface space on which to rest your belongings, and accumulating bathroom clutter will no longer be an option.
The pearls were, in fact, fake – but that didn’t stop them fetching US$211,500 when they went up for auction at Sotheby’s in 1996. And you can fake it too. Pearlescent mosaic tiles will add a First Lady flash of low-key glamour to surfaces in your home. The trick to making it work? Stick close to your source of inspiration and don’t go overboard. A basin splashback or bath panel can look particularly good, or take on, as here, the front of a washbasin stand.
5. Style up a small bathroom Even if your apartment’s bathroom is tiny, that doesn’t mean it can’t look good. The owners of this bijou space have been creative with their styling, choosing an interesting sink unit to add a feature to the room. The design is practical too, as it’s open beneath, providing room to store objects and creating a feeling of space. A small recessed shelf offers extra storage and is tiled to match the floor for cohesion.
6. Think outside the square Fitting the vanity into a corner like this may not be conventional, but sometimes that’s exactly what a small bathroom requires for it to really work. The shower screen provides a large enough surface for a good-sized mirror, and there’s enough space under the vanity for a storage box.
4. Wall mount the taps In tight quarters, every bit of space counts. Positioning the taps on the wall over the basin allows either your vanity unit to be a little shallower – freeing up space – or for your basin to be a little bigger than it could otherwise be. There are an increasing number of wall-mountable taps and mixers on the market, and they usually form part of a set so your shower and bath tapware can match.
5. Black-framed doors make a walk-in shower stand out A true walk-in shower (with no door) can be a real space-saver in tight quarters, and it’s hard to imagine a walk-in shower more elegant than this. Thanks to the black-framed enclosure, slate wainscoting and mosaic tile on the upper walls, this shower has the feel of a fully decorated room.
4. Black-framed doors add definition to an expanse of white With white tile and a white tub and sink, bathrooms can easily become one-note. Take a cue from this space and boost contrast with a black-framed shower enclosure and black hex tiles on the shower floor. Brass fixtures and a geometric light fixture add a warm finishing touch.
1. Black-framed shower doors are scene-stealers Even with Carrara marble flooring and a quartz-topped custom vanity (both wow-worthy materials in their own right), the star of this bathroom is the walk-in shower with brass fixtures and black aluminium-framed doors. If you’re looking for a head-turning addition to your bathroom renovation, look no further.
Separate toilet and hand wash sink
Simplicity
Caroma tiles, sink
The rebel We’re all forced to tow the line to some degree – there are laws to live by, jobs to turn up to, and cultural norms to abide by, after all. But if a part of you wants to walk your own path, a symbol in your bathroom can serve as a reminder to stand up for what you believe in and that you can dance to your own tune … at least to a degree.
The academic Mucked up too much at school to get good marks? Stuck in a dead-end job with zero intellectual stimulation? Studying in your downtime could just provide the brain food you need.
The artist We’re all born creative, and many of us have a secret dream of casting off the shackles of conventional money making in favour of letting our inner artist shine. Don’t ignore the sculptor, musician or painter inside you – life is far more fun when you let that artist play.
The modernist If you’d secretly love to get rid of all your possessions and simplify your life, it might be time to embrace your minimalist side.
The fashionista You may not be able to justify a wardrobe full of Chanel and Louis Vuitton, but if that’s what, deep down, you’d really love to have, start by channelling more Chanel in your life one room at a time.
Houzz US writer Becky Harris asks four Houzz designers to share their favourite shower niches, and to provide tips to help you make the most of your toiletry space. They’re a great way to prevent a mess of bottles on the shower floor, windowsill or shower bench.
If you love a bit of colour in the bathroom but worry it won’t stand the test of time, stick with some of our failsafe colour combos. Black and white is a personal fave. Because let’s face it, no-one wants to renovate their bathroom more often than they need to.
Design tip: To liven up a neutral palette of wood and rose gold, try adding just one colourful accent. A little colour will go a long way – as shown with the pink throw pillows in this space.
In the bathroom, green lantern splashback tiles are a focal point that ties in with the high-gloss green ceiling, while brushed copper doors on the vanity and storage cabinet take it into the twilight zone
Ornamentation does have its place in Japanese style, however, just be sure not to go over the top with it. Here, a simple ofuro-style wooden bath – typically found in ryokans across Japan, is set off by the dark, textured wall behind it, the pretty paper lining the backs of the three recessed shelves, and the natural branch-like embellishments on two walls. A lion’s head water feature, while not typically Japanese, adds a spectacle to the space, which is rounded off by the bright purple of the allium flowers.
In the bathroom Japanese style is basic yet beautiful, relying on the quality of materials and expert craftsmanship to create an impact rather than over-the-top decor. In this bathroom, the minimal lines and unadorned design highlight the rich tones of the wall, tiles, vanity and floor, helping these elements to stand out more. Thanks to their simple style, and the contrast of dark elements against the white of the toilet and the light-filled shoji screen, a dramatic impact is created.
Pep up with pattern A simple, white colour scheme is often the go-to when choosing a bathroom, so it can be a great place to put the monochrome trend into practice. This compact bathroom pairs crisp white subway tiles and fittings with monochrome feature tiles on the floor and bath wall.
Think luxury and simplicity Simplicity is key in this trend, and this beautiful bathroom has been kept incredibly pared-back for the ultimate statement look. Plain white walls and a classic herringbone tile pattern allow the black-framed Crittall windows and vanity unit to shine. Investing in luxe materials, such as marble and brass, and keeping surfaces strictly clutter-free, give this look its elegance.
The verdict is in… The future for bathrooms looks like this: super-sized, medium or tiny tiles, in marble, porcelain, Corian, timber and timber-look. We’ll also see organic textures, sultry greens, grey, black and white, a jungle of plants, curvy shapes, coloured or chrome tapware, mood lighting, wallpaper … whatever it takes to create a personal yet practical space for unwinding in comfort. And if you want to invite a kindly Buddha to watch over your bath, well that’s ok too.
Luxurious lighting Flexibility is the key to lighting in today’s bathrooms, says Wylie. “I believe the trend of having a space that can be bright and cheery in the daytime, and then adapted to create a calming retreat at the start and end of the day, will see lots of versatile lighting solutions.” These will include sensor lights and LED strips under joinery, dimmable lights, coloured mood lighting, niche lights and super-efficient task and feature lighting.
Wallpaper has never been more on-trend, and Tretheway says her clients are loving the vast choice in wallpapers for bathrooms and how wallpaper brings instant character into a bathroom. “Wallpapers in a damp atmosphere are no problem now, with many washable, vinyl-coated or full vinyl types available. Take normal precautions to control steam and damp, and of course have it professionally applied.”
Greens are creeping into bathrooms, where they enhance natural timber textures and organic materials. However, they’re not the avocado greens of yesteryear, but subtle restful shades like Dulux ‘Army Fatigues’. Wylie predicts a rise in botanic greens that are soft and very close to greens in nature – sage, grass, leaf, forest, moss, olive. “These work so well in bathroom spaces; we are seeing them in tiles, towels, plants and even tapware,” she says. Timber-look tiles are a growing trend for bringing texture and an organic feel to complement these new greens.
A bath in the bedroom? Both Wylie and Tretheway see it as a coming trend. “After many years designing the master bedroom and the ensuite as separate spaces, clients are becoming comfortable with the idea of amalgamating the two rooms into more of a ‘suite’, with the bath moving into the bedroom space,” says Tretheway. Wylie also predicts more baths sitting out of the bathroom. “It adds a ‘luxury hotel’ look to the bedroom.”
Outlook from bath
Bowl and wall tiles
Beautiful floor
Marble walls
Large multi purpose bathroom
Tip: A drip effect is achieved by mixing paint and water and pressing the brush into the wall, letting the liquid run down to the ground. Essentials include a plastic drop cloth or old sheet and disposable containers for mixing the paint and water. You may need to practise a few times before getting the desired look, but that’s half the fun!
Don’t have a box vanity? Hang a roll holder from the bottom of the sink. It can be epoxied into place or attached more temporarily with a good double-sided tape. When standing, you’ll barely notice it.
If you’re willing to go an extra step, tuck a toilet paper roll holder into the side of the vanity (rather than attached to the outside) for a clean, hotel-chic look. Often the upper area of a vanity is already unusable for drawer storage due to the sink and piping, so it makes sense to give this empty space a new use.
Backlit Why not be a little daring with the lighting in your next reno? Here, a panel of Caesarstone Concetto in ‘Grey Agate’ sits behind the shapely vanity, and is the standout in this Adelaide bathroom. Backlighting the Caesarstone makes more of the translucent, semi-precious stones. The colour of the light behind the stone can be switched to green, pink, blue or white – creating a completely different look each time.
MR.MITCHELL SaveEmail Building out the wall to hide the toilet cistern creates a handy shelf, which becomes all the handier when it’s lit from above. Have your electrician wire the shelf separately from the overhead light so it has its own switch, or even install a sensor light so the niche lights up automatically at night when someone enters the room – guests and children, especially, will appreciate being able to see without fumbling for the light switch during a middle-of-the-night trip to the bathroom
like the idea of a separate make-up area. Doesn't need to be huge, but enough room to sit down and do make-up, and have a plug-in lighted make-up mirror on the counter.
Shower in ensuite
Simple sink but where is the storage perhaps a cupboard behind the mirror?
Add toilet into marble bathroom
Marble bathroom
After: Meredith Tomlin-Hilliard and designers from Lee Kimball changed the space into a shower stall. It opened up the space, making the bathroom feel larger, lighter and more airy. The shower covers about the same footprint as the previous shower but gives the room a whole different look.
Q