Renovating your bathroom? Here is some advice from Mitre 10 on how you can achieve the bathroom of your dreams.

Tangible Considerations

Take account of the tangible considerations – measure the space available, the size shape and style of room, the positions of doors and windows, ease of cleaning and any other structural features to consider when planning your bathroom. 

Take time to assess how your current bathroom does or doesn’t work for your household, and what your ideal bathroom would be. Many of these features can be worked into a moderate budget with careful planning and product selection. 

Have a look at friends and relatives bathrooms and decide what elements of those you like. 
 

What is your budget? Consider the trade-off between price and good quality, and look out for longer warranties and guarantees.

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Plan to Suit Your Lifestyle
 

Consider guests and visitors also. If people of varying ages use the bathroom, consider a slide shower so you can adjust the height of the spray. Also, single lever mixers are easy for children to turn on and off. If you have frail or elderly family members consider grab rails and safety mats in the shower and bath. 
 

Tall or broad shouldered people in particular will appreciate a larger shower cubicle; say 1 metre by 1 metre so they don’t feel cramped. An angled or rounded shower may make the best use of constricted space by having the door open into the middle of the room rather than taking up wall space for it to open. A glass door and a glass wall will also make the shower feel more open and airy rather than a door and three acrylic walls. 
 

Also consider the length of the bath. Romantic couples may like a shower and bath big enough for two. Or a spa bath set into a tiled area for glasses of wine and candles.

Bathroom Storage, Lighting & Power Points
 

Think about how much room will be required for toiletries, storing towels, medicines etc. Do you want separate storage spaces for each family member?  If there are small children secure storage may be needed. How much counter space do you require for these types of items?  Will your design require moving bathroom fixtures from their current placement?  Consider the relative costs of moving water supply pipes and drainage pipes. Think about privacy issues - discuss the benefits of open plan (where all the fixtures are contained within one space) versus a compartmental plan (where the toilet may be separated).

Lighting - Do you want good natural lighting or do you prefer the privacy of a windowless room? 

Assess general lighting requirements as well as special lighting around mirrors where good lighting is essential. 
 

What are your other electrical needs? Will you require power points? If so, it should be an RCD protected safety switch. This should be near the mirror for hairdrying and shaving but well clear of water.

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Convenience & Easy Cleaning
 

Design for convenience - towel rails should be in easy reach of the shower or bath, the shower mixer should be able to be easily reached from the door opening, (so you don`t get wet while you`re waiting for the water to heat). The toilet roll holder should be forward of the toilet so you don`t have to reach behind you. It helps if the toilet is in a corner or has half wall beside it.  Alternatively buy a free-standing toilet roll holder. Design for easy cleaning - look for lots of smooth lines. A slide shower is also great for cleaning the shower tray. Wall hung vanity and toilet options allow you to clean an unrestricted floor, and some toilets come with removable toilet lids for totally hygienic cleaning. [ Browse our range of Towel Rails and Accessories ]

Style & Colour
 

Think about your style preferences - consider the fit and flow with the rest of the house. Traditional, contemporary, avant-garde - there are products to meet every whim and desire. 

Consider your colour options. White is the traditional favourite for most bathroom fittings although interesting colours and patterns are available such as granite finishes for baths, shower trays and vanity tops. Colour can be also be added through the soft furnishings, tiles, accessories and wall colours.

 

Bathroom Planner
 

Whether you're looking to completely renovate your bathroom or partially redesign the layout, this Bathroom Planner is a great place to start. 

Find easy steps, great tips and a useful planning grid in the free downloadable brochure. The planner tool includes some easy cut out shapes that you can overlay on the grid to get clear layout options.

[ Click here to download the Bathroom Planner PDF ]