DESIGN CHOICES: BATHTUB OR SHOWER?

Read article : DESIGN CHOICES: BATHTUB OR SHOWER?

Is it time to ditch the tub? Bathroom trend study reveals tricks for top redesigns

When redecorating your bathroom there are numerous choices you’ll face. The size, shape, style and arrangement of your bathroom furniture is naturally your biggest concern and sometimes finding ways to fit everything in comfortably can seem impossible – so why not cut something out … like the bathtub perhaps?

According to research, 59% of older homeowners ditching baths in favour of showers when they renovate their bathrooms but is this a trend that you should mimic? Or is there a better way to have your cake and eat it in the bathroom?

The bath revolution

While a large number of individuals are opting for showers over baths, research from Houzz has also shown that consumers are becoming more imaginative in their selection of baths when they decide to keep them as part of their bathroom design. Rather than just having a plain white metal tub, many older people invest in a spa type experience or a hydrovescent bath that helps to invigorate them as well as promote good hygiene.

It’s important to remember that not all baths are large and bulky units which prove difficult to fit in the bathroom and if you’re keen to keep this traditional feature part of the room then there are plenty of options to do so.

Firms like Premier Bathrooms offer a great range of hydrovescent bathtubs as well as walk-in baths and shower cubicles designed to help you get the most out of your bathroom; whatever its size. Hydrovescent tubs are also good for those with poor circulation or arthritis so having one installed could do as much good for your health as it does for the design of the room.

If you’re planning to design your bathroom anytime soon then we advise you consider the following trends and ideas when making your decisions:

• Opt for walk-in baths and showers if those using the units suffer from mobility issues or disabilities and remember to leave enough room for doors to open outwards where needed
• Install seats within showers and baths to help people lower themselves into the water but consider how these are arranged so as to create a stylish appearance
• Use lighting carefully to transform the bathroom into an oasis of calm – the development of safe LED lighting systems means that showerheads and bathing areas can all be illuminated safely so it’s a good option to try
• Add an en suite bathroom to the master bedroom if possible – this is a great way to add luxury and convenience to a home and according to Houzz’ research it is a trends that 85% of people are likely to follow
• Pick a bath or shower unit to match the dimensions of the bathroom – remember that there are a vast amount of styles available so give them all equal consideration and remember to consider shape (square, round or corner baths) too
• Install double sinks in bathrooms shared by couples to make morning routines more convenient and to elevate the appearance of the bathroom as a whole
• Make sure flooring is safe and practical – lino, vinyl and tiles are all preferable over carpets but you’ll need to opt for something that is water resistant and which offers a non-slip surface. Underfloor heating is also an important consideration – especially for cold winter mornings

The bathroom is now a popular room

With improvements to walk in-baths and showers, many older homeowners are investing in this type of bathroom furniture in order to retain their independence. If you can have a therapeutic bath in the comfort of your own home, why not install one of these wonderful devices today?

Wet rooms are also growing in popularity so this is something you should consider too. They are easy to use and the shower attachments are at a convenient level for all which means practical showering every day of the week.

Sources: http://info.houzz.com/rs/houzz/images/HouzzBathroomStudy.pdf

Modern 1675mm Right Hand L Shape Bath Shower Glass Screen Bathroom Set BL66 • £249.99

Read article : Modern 1675mm Right Hand L Shape Bath Shower Glass Screen Bathroom Set BL66 • £249.99

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£249.99 Buy It Now Sold, FREE Shipping, 30-Day Returns

Seller: ibathuk (316,627) 98% , Location: GB, Ships to: GB, Item: 331124354685Condition: New, Brand: iBathUK, Material: Acrylic, Length (mm): 1675, Height: 390, Width: 850, Colour: White, MPN: BL66, EAN: Does not apply,Details: iBath UK Need Assistance?Call 02476 389 051 Radiators View All Radiators Radiators Towel Rails Designer Radiators Radiator Valves Radiator Valves Showers View All Showers Shower Sets Shower Sets Shower Accessories Shower Heads Shower Arms Riser Rails Shower Pumps Accessories Bathroom Taps View All Bathroom Taps Basin Taps Modern Basin Taps Traditional Basin Taps Bath Taps Modern Bath Taps Traditional Bath Taps Freestanding Taps Tap Packages Tap Packages Kitchen Taps View All Kitchen Taps Kitchen Taps Chrome Taps Brushed Steel Taps Toilets View All Toilets Toilets Modern Traditional Basins View All Basins Basins Modern Traditional Vanity Units Counter Top Basins Cloackroom Basins Accessories Basin Waste Shower Enclosures View All Shower Enclosures Shower Enclosures Shower Enclosures Bath Screens Bath Screens Shower Trays Shower Trays Bathroom Suites View All Bathroom Suites Bathroom Suites Modern Toilet & Basin Suites Traditional Toilet & Basin Suites Bathroom Furniture Suites Complete Bathroom Suites Complete Bathroom Suites Cloakroom Suites Cloakroom Suites Baths View All Baths Baths Shower Baths Straight Baths Corner Baths Shower Baths L Shape P Shape Freestanding Baths Modern Freestanding Baths Traditional Freestanding Baths Bath Accessories Bath Wastes & Accessories Furniture View All Furniture Vanity Units Combined Toilet & Basin Units Bathroom Furniture Basin Units Gloss White Furniture Cloakroom Furniture Units Bathroom Mirrors Mirror Cabinets Illuminated Mirrors SALE Free Delivery for Mainland UK 10 Year Guarantee UK Based Customer Services No.1 UK Bathroom Seller 1675mm Right Hand L Shape Bath Set Our 1675mm modern L Shape square bath is ideal for a family bathrooms, as it features increased insulation which keeps your bath water hotter for longer, due to the thermal properties of the reinforced acrylic. This shower bath is formed from top class, sanitary grade acrylic and reinforced with a specially formulated glass fibre resin. This bath set includes a right hand L shaped bath and a reinforced glass screen. Ideal space saving solution Formed from sanitary grade acrylic 4mm Reinforced glass screen Warm to touch finish Increased insulation Watch item Ask a Question ANY QUESTIONS? Give our experienced customer teams a call on 02476 389 051 Description Bath Set Features:Large showering area combined with practical bathing area Ideal space saving solution for smaller bathrooms Formed from top class, sanitary grade acrylic 4mm Reinforced glass screen Increased Insulation keeping bath water hotter for longer Warm to touch finish Supplied with leg set Choice of tap positioning – drill to suit Waste not included - available from our eBay Store 10 Year Guarantee Please note: Side and end panels are not included Bath Dimensions: Length: 1675mm Width: 850mm Height: 390mm Screen Dimensions: Depth: 4mm Width: 805mm Height: 1400mmPlease Note: Screen may vary slightly from image Why buy an iBathUK bath?Our Baths have no pre-drilled holes to give a choice of wall or deck mounted tapsOur baths have a 'warm to the touch' finish due to the thermal properties of the quality acrylic that we use.The heavy duty sanitary grade acrylic means that our baths can withstand harsh household chemicals. We go the extra mile and offer a 10 year functionality guarantee and excellent customer service Delivery Returns Terms & Conditions Guarantee Delivery Returns Terms & Conditions Guarantee For the full terms and conditions please click here Delivery Returns Terms & Conditions Guarantee What does this mean for you? In the very unlikely event that one of our products is faulty, you can return it to us for a replacement, up to 10 years after you bought it. As you will no doubt be using your product on a regular basis, overtime it will pick up some signs of wear-and-tear. This warranty will cover you for faults that are due to manufacture. If your item does become faulty... There are a number of reasons why your item might not be working as well as it did when you first bought it. It's very possible we may be able to solve your issue without you have having to return your item. Your first step would be to contact our customer service team via telephone ro the ebay messaging service. We will need images of the product and fault sending over to us so we can analyze the issue and try to solve the problem. If they are unable to solve the problem they will ask you to return the item for an inspection. Once the item is found to be faulty we will arrange for a replacement part to be sent out to you and your delivery charge will be refunded. Exceptions Unfortunately we are unable to offer a 10 year warranty on the bulbs in our LED shower heads or the bulbs in our LED and back lit mirrors. We will cover the product itself, but because of the nature of this product we will not be able to offer a 10 year warranty on the life of the bulbs. 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•  Popularity - Very high amount sold, 14 Sold, 0 Available. N/A Views, Listed 1,334 days ago.

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Make a splash with a new bathroom

Read article : Make a splash with a new bathroom

Things are getting personal in the bathroom... Gabrielle Fagan reveals three key looks to make a style splash

THERE'S a new wave of styles washing over bathrooms. The tide's turning against the predictable, and embracing a more go-with-the-flow approach means you can mix-and-match furniture and fittings to conjure a space that perfectly suits your taste, as well as your practical needs, whether it's a spa-like haven, a functional family room, or a contemporary wet room.

As designers become more adventurous, sophistication, glamour and individuality rule. And it's easy to achieve a 'wow' factor, thanks to state-of-the-art technology - think TVs, sound systems and light and water shows in the shower - sculptural sanitary ware, and even stunning waterproof wallpaper now vying with tiles for attention.

"The traditional bathroom suite has become outdated and there's a desire for the space to become customised, with people seeing it as a room where they can display individual pieces, as they would art," says Leanne Martin, head of product at Sottini.

"A strong industrial trend is coming through, with steel-effect wall-hung cabinets complemented by sleek brassware and fresh white walls for an efficient, sleek look. Bathroom units raised off the floor, increasing visible floor space, to create an illusion of a larger room, are starring, and a particularly striking 'floating' effect can be achieved, with wall-hung, chunky, unsupported slabs in gloss or wood grain, and slim, curved vessel basins on top."

Soak up inspiration from these latest bathroom looks...

DRAMA ZONE

"If you don't want to reach out and touch the walls, you're not doing it right for 2017. Bathrooms no longer mean matching tiles as far as the eye can see - as a nation, we've become experimental with wall finishes and shrugged off the constraints of the white bathroom tile," says Martin.

"Industrial concrete walls are being paired with textured wallpapers, while tile effects are being created using countless different sizes, shapes, prints and texture options. Even a retro wood finish has made a comeback for a Scandi-chic style statement, and for the really bold, vertical green, living walls, to give a lush 3D impact you can't beat!"

Water, she points out, is a feature in itself. "It's not enough that it drains down a plughole any more. It's all about the spectacle of how it falls in a waterfall-like sheet from a height and disappears out of sight into concealed drainage."

LOOK OUT FOR: Mirrors with sensor controlled lighting and de-misting, as well as inbuilt functions linked to music systems, TVs and phones.

TAP INTO STYLE: Wall&Deco's waterproof 'wall papers' include a gorgeous 'Inner Forest' and 'Converatory' (Pictured above) - which looks like a lush tropical landscape - design, from £156 per square metre, West One Bathrooms (www.westonebathrooms.com). Alternatively, make an impact with a monochrome Diver Wall Mural, from £10.63, Purlfrost (www.purlfrost.com).

Sottini's range has bang-on-trend pieces, including a free-standing Ombrone Totem Washbasin, £1,190.25 (pictured below); a Bonamico 70cm Square Vessel Washbasin, £341.55, or a bowl-shape Pioto Vessel Washbasin, £160.43. Achieve that 'floating' effect with a sleek Ippari Console, £546.48. (www.sottini.co.uk).

If you really want to splash the cash for celebrity style, Touched Interiors is the destination to visit: Brass And Gold Plated Black High Gloss Bubbles Bathtub, £29,310, and a Polished Brass And Mirrored Free-standing Washbasin, £14,770 (www.touchedinteriors.co.uk).

For period style, look no further than Heritage Bathrooms, which has a Madeira Cast Iron Double Ended Bath, from £3,750, and an Abingdon Basin & Washstand in Rose Gold, from £495 (www.heritagebathrooms.com).

SERENE SANCTUARY

"The bathroom isn't purely about functionality, or a clinical environment any more. It's a sanctuary that needs as much design consideration as a living room," says Daniel Cook, principal development designer at C.P. Hart.

"It's all about subtle elegance and a beautiful harmony of shades with less 'pops' of colour. Muted consistent tones, such as taupes and greys for furniture and sanitary ware, are increasingly popular colour choices. There's a move beyond white and glazed surfaces and a significant increase in pastel shades of pinks and blues."

LOOK OUT FOR: A refined industrial trend with brushed finish brassware, matt finishes for ceramics, as well as silk/satin glass finishes.

TAP INTO STYLE: Key into colour with Italian-designed items from the Cielo Ceramica I Catini range: Blue Washbasin (pictured below), from £1,580, C.P.Hart (www.cphart.co.uk).

Laufen's slim units in gold would impress: Gold Kartell All Saints Mirror, £504.62 and Rifly Pendant Lamp, £335.27; Boutique Dark Oak Vanity Unit, £1,522.50.

MAKE A SPLASH

"From cars to holidays, and clothing to furniture, customisation is one of the fastest growing consumer trends," says Jayne Barnes, managing director, AQATA.

"The discerning bathroom buyer now wants not only a highly engineered luxury shower enclosure or screen, handmade to fit their space, but also a completely individual customised design to bring their own character and personality into the bathroom. Home trends are being reflected in bathrooms with diverse colours, patterns and textures making their mark.

"Today's shower should incorporate these essential features: easy access (walk-in wet rooms are perfect for this), spacious enclosures and a steam function, as well as power showers and body jets to cater for comfort and wellbeing, and distinctive personal touches."

LOOK OUT FOR: Larger showers as they're being given more space in either a bathroom or bedroom, plus frameless enclosures featuring coloured or tinted glass.

TAP INTO STYLE: AQATA's frameless Spectra Enclosure SP448, from £1,561 (pictured below), and Linneal Shower LNP241, £1,300 (for stockists, visit www.aqata.co.uk). Alternatively, Merlyn Showering has a Twin Panelled Double Shower Enclosure, from £345 per panel (www.merlynshowering.com).

Shopping advice - Mirror Online

Read article : Shopping advice - Mirror Online

Need expert advice on your home? Email Zena at homes@sundaymirror.co.uk

Q - I need to create an office space in my spare room (with sofa bed), which will look like an office most of the time, but that I can easily convert back for guests. What tips do you have? I only have a budget of around £200.

Alexander, by email

A ZENA SAYS: I think the secret to success lies in wall-mounted shelving, which will release the floor space for other essentials, such as your desk and sofa bed. Look for shelving units with ends, as opposed to the open-ended shelves. Children’s furniture stores, such as Aspace and Great Little Trading Company are very good at these. A narrow-depth desk will also save space but still give you that office look.

The Loft desk is more like a console table and measures 105 (length) x 52 (width) x 90cm (height) and costs £199. Or you could even have a wall-mounted desk - a friend recently made the one in our photograph at a cost of £43! Either option could easily be cleared and the office chair removed when guests arrive.

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I am looking for a small, ­contemporary sofa to fit into my bay window. It should be no wider than 150cm. Any suggestions?

Cliff Andrews, Edinburgh

ZENA SAYS: The Harry two-seater from House of Fraser (call 0845 602 1073) would look so cute in a bay window. It measures 132cm wide comes in a choice of lime green or the lovely aubergine fabric in our photo (right). ­Usually it would cost £849 but it’s ­currently on sale at just £499.

If you’d like to support an up-and-coming company offering designer furniture and ­accessories direct from the makers at ­discount prices, the Ritchie ­(below) is very similar. It costs £449 from www.made.com and is also available in pearl grey.

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Q - Our electric shower is faulty and needs to be replaced. This will be the second time in five years. Would a non-electric shower have a longer life and is that an option for us, as we have all the fittings for electric? My children have just started showering so it must be safe for them too.

Zach Summers, Leeds

ZENA SAYS: There is a good chance that you live in a hard water area and the limescale build-up is affecting your shower. Mixer valve showers cope much better with hard water and will last longer than an electric shower. A qualified person can easily replace your electric shower with one. Bristan has just launched two exposed valve ar showers – Zing and Frenzy – with Cool Chrome Technology, which is ideal where youngsters are around. The shower body stays cool to the touch and because it’s thermostatically controlled the temperature stays constant. They come with a rub clean handset, which is ideal for cleaning limescale. Zing is priced at £99 and Frenzy from £119 (valve only) and £149 (with kit). Call Bristan on 0844 701 6273 for a local stockist.

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Q - I recently spent a week on a self-catering holiday in Wales. They had a set of Brabantia Vision saucepans which I would love to buy but cannot find anywhere. Could you tell me if/where I could get them?

Janet Shields, by email

ZENA SAYS: Your encounter sounds like a bit of a holiday romance, Janet. For some strange reason you cannot buy this set of pans direct from Brabantia but Amazon sells them. Prices start at £23.01 for a 14cm stainless steel milk pan.

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The stair carpet in the communal area of our block needs to be replaced but we freeholders don’t know where to buy a new one or what to look for. I imagine standard hall carpet will be insufficient.

Sarah Brown, Leamington Spa, Warks

ZENA SAYS: According to The Society of British Interior Design, the wear rating of the carpet should be “heavy contract”. They suggest a high-quality 80/20 wool/nylon or 100 per cent polyamide (nylon) pile fibre, as it is very tough.

If the staircases are ­concrete, then non-slip safety nosings must be fitted. Try Vorwerk, an eco-friendly brand which is allergy-free, and Weston-Hammer for a customised design.

Some domestic carpets are also rated for contract or commercial use, too. For example Lano’s Scala range has a fleck option to help hide the dirt until vacuuming. It is rubber backed which helps with spills and ­water from shoes and stops moisture getting into the underlay.

Here’s some technical info with which to baffle your fellow freeholders – Scala is made of 100 per cent solution-dyed two-ply polypropylene for maximum durability and has been solution dyed for ease of maintenance. It costs about £22 a square metre.

The fully impervious backing means that it can be used in areas prone to accidents and where day-to-day performance is of the utmost importance.

However, the SBID does not recommend polypropylene. Although hard-wearing and inexpensive, they say this fibre soils quicker than any other pile fibre, and goes very flat and untidy.

You should also avoid natural flooring such as sisal, coir and sea grass because they get slippery and stain easily.

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Q - Do you have the web address where I can buy “tile on a roll” wallpaper?

Kate Henson, by email

ZENA SAYS: Tile-effect wallpaper has been around for decades and is a really useful and cost-effective way of covering kitchen and ­bathroom walls that are exposed to water splashes. The designs are very bright and modern and technically, they’ve been brought up to date, too. Graham and Brown’s ­Contour antibacterial range offers protection from bacteria and it’s a paste-the-wall paper, making it really easy to hang. The Keep Calm paper in our photo costs £18 per roll. Call 0800 328 8452.

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Savvy savers

Alison Cork gets you more... for less.

Home improvement

LIDL always has great prices and now there’s also a sale on home improvement products, too. So whether you’re moving house or just moving the sofa, spare your floors with their five-piece Furniture Transport set, only £4.99. You get a robust steel lever to lift the furniture, and four transport rollers with castors to get it from place to place.

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Asda home sale

Save on practical kitchen and home accessories during Asda Direct’s home sale, with 30 per cent off products, on now. I ­especially love these collapsible mixing bowls, reduced from £4 to £2.80. They’re perfect for saving ­precious cupboard space and they are easy to wipe clean.

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Drying balls

Does the wet weather have you using your tumble dryer yearround? Save up to 30 per cent on drying time and energy with these Ecozone Dry Cubes from Nigel’s Eco Store. It’s £9.95 for a pack of two cubes that can be used again and again. Call 0800 288 8970.

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Be alarmed

You can often get a discount on your home contents insurance if you have a burglar alarm and now’s the time to buy one as B&Q currently have half-price savings on security and alarms. The Standard Wireless Door and Window Contact alarm is reduced to £7.49, and the Standard Wired PIR DC7 motion detector is just £4.99.

For bed linen and other accessories, see Reader Offers.

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Coining it

Why is it that when you need a pound coin – be it for a parking meter, shopping trolley or vending machine – you can never find one? This clever Coin Stash Waterproof Coin Capsule (£4.95) attaches to your keys, storing an emergency stash of five one pound coins for when you need them, while keeping your pockets and car free from easily misplaced loose change. Buy one for Dad at www.gadgets.co.uk

For more gift ideas for Dad, see Reader Offers.

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Standby for action

According to British Gas, every year we waste around £30 leaving products on standby. Save dosh with an automatic standby shutdown plug, like this one from Energenie. It recognises when you’ve left an appliance or computer on standby and switches off the mains power. Get it from www.homebargains.co.uk for £3.99.

For more computing accessories, see Reader Offers.

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Shower power

Save water, time and money with a Water Drop shower timer from Eco Savers. Just £4.99, it sticks to the wall – you set the timer and it bleeps when your time is up. It’s a great way to cut bills.

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Website of the Week

Save on mobile, broadband and energy bills with Incahoot.com. The site uses collective buying power (think Groupon or KGB Deals) but focuses mainly on utilities and practical services. Basic membership is free.

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For more great shopping offers, visit Reader Offers.