Take the plunge in the bathroom

If there’s one room in the house where you should make a splash it’s the bathroom, as leisure is just as important as lathering.
PA Photo/Handout.PA Photo/Handout.
PA Photo/Handout.

This space should double as a practical area for the daily wash-and-go, and also as a sensual home spa where we re-energise or de-stress.

“Bathrooms are no longer regarded as utilitarian, purely functional spaces but tend to be seen as havens of relaxation, taking inspiration from hotels and spas,” says Laura McCormack, bathroom category manager at Fired Earth.

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“There’s an increasing demand for luxurious, eye-catching finishes, such as marble, polished nickel and hand-decorated tiles. Clever storage solutions really come into their own in the bathroom too, since unsightly clutter isn’t conducive to a spa-style environment and space tends to be at a premium.”

A recent survey by bathroom specialist Villeroy & Boch confirms that view, dubbing the space the “spath-room”.

It found that almost half of Britons say they consider their bathroom an important private space where they can relax, 18 per cent believe it’s the one room in the house which can boost wellbeing, and 42 per cent dream of a hotel-style spa washroom.

There’s no need to spend money like water to enjoy a wealth of innovative and luxury fittings and enhancements, as increasingly, these feature in collections offered by high street and online companies.

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They can range from touch-pad controls for state-of-the-art showers and baths, through to fibre optic lighting, built-in televisions and surround-sound music systems.

Tap into expert advice to achieve a bathroom to boast about…

Bring on the bling – soft shimmery gold and bronze tones will conjure gilded 
luxury in bathrooms this year, predicts Cheryl Gurner, creative director at Bathrooms International. Tip: when planning your room, ensure you accurately measure the space and make sure the products you want will fit it. Some retailers offer a design service.

Cupboard love – wood and stone and the beauty of grain and texture will reign supreme, forecasts designer Laurence Pidgeon (www.laurencepidgeon.com)

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Tip: Always buy the best quality you can afford, as these fittings need to last.

Black is back – “Monochrome palettes and geometric forms are a key trend for interiors and this look works to great effect in the bathroom,” says Kirsten Wain, of West One Bathrooms. Tip: source last season bargains on the internet, or showroom models for reduced prices.