Bathroom accessories

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WATER TECHNOLOGY

Bathroom accessories are often overlooked in the initial planning stages of bathroom design. However, they play an essential role in any bathroom space – both in how they make the space more usable, as well as how they add to the overall design aesthetic of the space.

When it comes to bathroom design, what sets a mediocre bathroom apart from one that really has that “wow” factor is the choice of accessories and lighting.

It is these finer aspects of the room’s finish that can bring much-needed functionality, convenience and luxury, both in a tactile and aesthetic sense, to a bathroom space. However, these fixtures are often overlooked during the planning phase, which can often lead to you going over budget. Careful consideration of what needs to be included in this department should not be disregarded, and remains a quintessential necessity in any bathroom design.

Bathroom accessories

There are the “basic eight” bathroom accessories that no bathroom can go without these include towel rails, bathroom shelves, toilet paper holders, towel rings, soap dishes, toothbrush holders, toilet brush holders and robe hooks. However, if you want to go the extra mile, there are various other accessories that can be included to take the room to the next level and transform your bathroom into a luscious and practical oasis. Some of these include shower accessories, such as shower and soap racks, free-standing towel rails to accompany free-standing baths, and foot rests for example. If your bathroom is going to accommodate elderly or disabled users, you might want to consider things such as grab rails and shower seats.

Heated towel rails are another wonderful inclusion, and although most people consider them to be a luxury provider of warm towels, that is actually not their main purpose. The fundamental use of heated towel rails is to ensure deliciously dry towels whenever they are required. This makes them a great addition for bathrooms located in very hot and humid, or very cold climates. They also add to the overall hygiene of the room, as they negate the possibility of bacteria multiplying in damp towels, as well as reducing your energy consumption as you won’t have to waste electricity washing your towels that often, or use a tumble dryer to dry them. Contrary to popular belief, heated towel rails do not have to be energy guzzlers – if you choose heated towel rails that function using Dry Element Technology (DET), they require a very meagre amount of electricity to perform. This is because DET allows for rapid heat-up times and offers the ability to control the temperature settings to suit the climate for all-year-round functionality, as well as being able to switch them off and on when required.

An important thing to consider when choosing bathroom accessories is to choose ones that have a mounting system that ensures a durable and steadfast installation. Traditionally, bathroom accessories are attached to the bathroom wall using grub screws. However, this often poses a problem – since bathroom accessories have a largely functional use, the screws holding them in place need to be regularly tightened in order to keep them firmly secured. Today, however, you can invest in bathroom accessories that boast installation systems designed to keep them securely locked in place.

Bamboo scale from Legend Housewares

Another consideration is what the accessories are made from. Chrome-plated accessories are more affordable than others, but bear in mind that if you choose these, the major drawback of chrome is that even though it offers a beautiful, highly polished aesthetic, there is always the possibility that it would eventually flake and peel. Today, the material of choice is stainless steel – it doesn’t rust, flake, peel or dull, and it is exceptionally strong and easy to maintain and clean. Stainless steel bathroom accessories come in two main finishes – polished (shiny) and brushed (matt).

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Bathrooms are embracing soft silhouettes and rounded corners for a calm and harmonious vibe

Published: 9th February 2017

There's a subtle style shift going on in our bathrooms and it’s all down to our need for solace, respite and a sense of calm amid today’s hectic lifestyles. For while the sharp lines and slick angular shapes of the super-minimalist bathroom were once our go-to design choice, these are being gently rubbed down in favour of softer curves, organic lines and an altogether more Zen-like spa ambience where we can escape for an hour or two.

Lead image With soft, organic lines, the EauZone Plus curved shower enclosure from Matki offers generous showering space with a sliding door and 10mm solid safety glass. Priced at £2,354

Below The interior, circular shape of the Kaldewei Centro washbasin is based on the brand’s bath of the same name, for harmonious design. In steel enamel with a bespoke wood top, it costs from £857

‘The word harmony is currently being used as a catalyst for the top trends in 2017,’ explains Nancy Straughan, interior designer at London-based luxury bathroom emporium, Hugo Oliver. ‘Many people are now looking to create bathrooms that provide a peaceful sanctuary away from the stresses of everyday life. So, to create this ‘harmonious’ look try seeking out basins and bathtubs that all feature beautiful curved design elements.’

Below This classic, curvaceous London bath is made from Lucite with a painted PVC surround in Sand. It costs £1,999, from Burlington Bathrooms.

Design experts agree that curvaceous freestanding baths, cylindrical taps and curved cabinets all play their part in creating an effortless, laid-back bathroom space that suits our demand now for a softer, more relaxed silhouette. To sum up, curves are back. ‘A bathroom with fewer hard edges is less clinical and can be much easier on the eye,’ says Giulia Montagnani, designer at Day True, exclusive UK supplier of the Rexa brand. ‘Clients have much more freedom to play with the design given that the basins, bathtubs and toilets don’t strictly need to fit into corners or align with windows or doors.’ However, adds Montagnani, curved bathrooms are often made up of freestanding pieces and can’t be installed flush with each other, so generally need larger spaces to work.

Below Exuding a Zen-like calm, the Neutra Spa bath, £30,154, is carved from a block of Basaltina, a grey lava stone with a granular texture. Shown here with the shallow Nest basin in Bianco Carrara stone, £1,373, all from C.P. Hart.

Craig Senel of The Furniture Union has also witnessed a renaissance in rounded edges which bring with them many benefits for the bathroom designer and homeowner alike: ‘Curves work with curves just as well as straight lines while curved cabinets can be fitted into tight spaces without looking too cramped and forced into place.’ It’s a versatile look, it appears, with the new generation of curves suiting all styles and sizes and mixing with straighter, squarer lines if you don’t want to go all out on the trend.

Below The gently rounded Curvo bathroom furniture by Dansani comes in Matt Graphite, Grey Rubber lacquer for an extra tactile finish. Basin unit costs from £1,762, and wall unit from £1,099, all The Bathroom Shop.

‘If you’re not looking to completely change your bathroom, go for a freestanding bath designed with softness in mind,’ adds Straughan. ‘If you don’t have the space for a tub, why not install a shower screen that features a curved door design. And if you love your current bathroom but you’d like to bring in this ‘harmony’ trend, simply look out for curved accessories, like storage and mirrors, with rounded shapes and soft lines.’

Article by: Lara Sargent