Boutique-style bathroom from a spare room

Read article : Boutique-style bathroom from a spare room

Add a false wall

Create a unique, contemporary space by using decorative panelling (Above) to make zones for all your bathroom elements, from the bath and shower, to the basin and WC. The Nuance range by Bushboard features polyurethane trim-free panels bonded with high-pressure laminate that can be installed without any fixings being visible for a sleek result. Plus, shower fixings or sanitaryware can also be attached. With a high-definition printed design, the Dolce Vita True Scale has the look of real stone, but only costs from £70 per m².

Opt for all-over colour

Choose your favourite shade and go for a design that uses it all over the bathroom. To complement the bold blue mosaic tiles and accessories, the bespoke Silestone by Cosentino worksurface in Limited Edition Acqua Fraccaroli was created to suit this scheme. As the material has the ability to be moulded to create thick widths, long lengths and even be shaped along walls and upstands, it’s a great way to create a unique look. Silestone by Cosentino costs £400 per m².

Indulge in a spa-like shower

There’s nothing more luxurious than a relaxing shower, and with the Gessi Minimali chrome-finish recessed showerhead, you can re-create a spa feel at home. With aerators to minimise water consumption, while maintaining a power-shower sensation, the head fits into the ceiling seamlessly for a streamlined finish. Dia.35cm, it costs £950 at CP Hart.

Be creative with vinyl

The ideal choice for bathroom flooring, luxury vinyl now comes in an array of colours, patterns and textures emulating real wood and stone. Amtico’s latest Signature collection features a range of stylish motifs to create an eye-catching focal point in your space. This Myron Motif, Dia.91.5cm, £120, shown here paired with Sedimentary Grey Stone vinyl flooring, £70 per m², provides a modern contrast.

Pick a bright colour

Whether you’re decorating a small or large bathroom, adding a statement shade to the walls is a great way to refresh the space. Use a modern, trend-led shade such as Valspar’s Simply Brilliant all over the room, on a feature wall, or simply to update a stool or storage unit; £27.98 for 2.5 litres of Kitchen and Bathroom

Be bold with your bathroom basin

A far cry from the dated avocado suites of the past, coloured and patterned sinks are enjoying a revival. Update your master bathroom, en suite or cloakroom with the stunning Adriana porcelain basin, H15.5xDia.41cm, £690 from The London Basin Company

Co-ordinate finishes

Made to suit a humid environment, these blue café-style shutters in Crown Dance Hall from Shutterly Fabulous are made to measure from poplar wood. Also available in full-height, solid pane and tier-on-tier designs, the shutters can be painted in a colour to suit your scheme, for example, to match a statement bath and accessories. From £320 per m2 for a custom finish.

Apply lots of pattern

Why not create a real statement by using a print you love on both your walls and floors? The Baked Tile Company’s Elle porcelain tiles, W44.2xL44.2cm, £33 per m², are suitable for both surfaces, plus they’re hardwearing and easy to clean. Team with neutral fixtures and fittings, or add further wow factor with pops of bright colour.

Create a wet room

If you dream of a wet room but don’t want to tank your entire suite, opt for a recessed shower tray. At only 2.5cm thick, Roca’s In Floor steel shower tray is fitted at floor level, creating a walk-in shower with a streamlined drainage outlet built in. Designed with an anti-slip coating, in six sizes up to L140cm, the base costs from £744 for W90xL90cm. Combine with a slim, frameless glass shower screen for a minimal, contemporary look.

Use the latest materials

A must-have for kitchens, concrete details are now making their way into the bathroom, too. Introduce the look with Fired Earth’s large-format W60xL60cm waxed porcelain Berlin tiles in Reichstag. Inspired by the ‘utilitarian cool’ of East Berlin, they have a realistic, textured finish and offer a neutral backdrop to colour and pattern. The tiles can be used on walls (as shown) and floors, £49.97 per m².

Clever solutions for small bathrooms

Read article : Clever solutions for small bathrooms

In any room, a shortage of space can make renovating and decorating tricky, but a small bathroom can be particularly challenging when you think about everything you're trying to fit in it. That's not to say it's impossible though. With a few clever tricks you can easily transform a pint-sized bathroom into a stylish, spacious and spa-like haven. Here are our top tips for living large.

1. Add a splash of colour

When it comes to small spaces, it’s best to avoid blocks of dark or bold colours. Light neutral colours, such as white, cream and soft pastels, are your best pick for the overall colour scheme and bathroom suites. You can then use splashes of bright colours in your accessories, towels or even on a feature wall.

Bright white bathrooms look airy and spacious. Add a few splashes of statement colour for maximum impact. Photo: Nick Watt / bauersyndication.com.au

2. Let there be light

Well-lit rooms always feel bright and airy so follow their lead and use natural light to create the illusion of space in your bathroom. If you're designing the room from scratch or planing a total refit, opt for multiple windows, a floor-to-ceiling glass door or a skylight. You'll reap the rewards of more light immediately. If you're on a budget, try changing the type of glass in your windows — transparent will obviously let in the most light, but if privacy is an issue, soft frosted glass still lets in a fair share of natural light. When it comes to fixtures and fittings, use halogen light bulbs. They're known for their brilliance and will help open up your space.

One way to save space? An integrated toilet design. The Roca Meridian In-Tank Back to Wall Pan is far less bulky than a traditional toilet. Photo: supplied

3. Go for an integrated cistern

Toilets can be one of the bulkiest items in your bathroom, but unfortunately they’re non-negotiable so it pays to shop smart when you’re designing a small space. Look for a concealed or in-wall toilet solution that allows the cistern to be “hidden” in a wall cavity or under a vanity benchtop. Or, for the ultimate small space innovation, opt for the Roca Meridian In-Tank Back to Wall Pan. The game-changing design integrates the cistern and buttons into the pan for a compact toilet that's both sleek and stylish — a lifesaver for small bathrooms.

4. Make your storage smart(er)

Clever storage that makes the most of whatever space is on offer and delivers multipurpose solutions is key when working with a pint-sized room. If vanity space is sparse, or nonexistent, install shelving units above toilets, sinks and baths. Or, you could go the other way, and stretch a vanity benchtop across a bath surround, boosting your storage space dramatically. Recessed mirrors and shaving cabinets are also another winning option for smaller bathrooms.

If in doubt, accessorise all areas! Photo: Hallie Burton / bauersyndication.com.au

5. Small doesn't mean dull

Don't be disheartened by what you have to work with — you can pack a lot of character into a small room. For instance, multiple mirrors work on many levels; they're practical, look good and visually open up a room. Hanging rails can house several coloured or printed towels which serve a dual purpose as a place to dry hands and a way to add a pop of colour. Trolleys or stools also make a welcome addition in place of a built-in vanity and together, all of them create an eclectic, maximising vibe.

6. Do sweat the small stuff

When space is at a premium, every little bit counts. Don't just focus your attention on the big ticket space savers — such as the bathtub, the shower and the actual foundations of the room — spend some time thinking about smaller details, too. The tapware, the towels, the tiles. They all contribute to the overall look and feel of your bathroom so opt for streamlined faucets, wall-hung accessories and hardware and penny-round tiles that will all enhance your space.

Carve out a little extra space — it all adds up — by opting for sleek and streamlined hardware in place of clunky, oversized taps. Photo: Martina Gemmola / / bauersyndication.com.au

Brought to you by Reece Bathrooms

50 cheap and chic ways to perk up your bathroom

Read article : 50 cheap and chic ways to perk up your bathroom

Giving your bathroom a facelift doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, you can do it on a dime, without compromising style. Here are 50 cheap and chic ways to update one of the most used rooms in the house.

1 Repaint – nothing perks up a room like a fresh coat of paint.

2 Invest in new towels to replace any that are looking worse for wear.

3 If you’re running out of space to store toiletries, keep the overflow in a rustic wooden bowl or wicker basket.

4Declutter. Clearing off the surface of your bathroom counter does wonders for making the room look fresh and clean.

5 Install new faucets for a quick upgrade.

6Add fresh flowers.

7 Opt for colourful towels if your bathroom walls are a neutral colour.

8 Play with patterns without having to turn to wallpaper or a new paint job with inexpensive wall decals.

9Floating candles in a glass bowl on the counter add warmth.

10 Toiletries in beautiful packaging can go a long way to pretty up your counter.

11 Replace your shower curtain.

12 Place a tall vase filled with dried flowers on the floor for some rustic charm.

13 Incense in an ornate holder is functional and decorative.

14 Line the counter with matching accessories (toothbrush holder, soap dispenser) ideally from the same line, for a uniform look.

15 Install a floating shelf above the toilet and line with small plants that don’t require a lot of light.

16 Shampoo, conditioner and soap dispensers eliminate clutter around the tub.17 Place a small stool in one corner of the bathroom and neatly stack towels on it.

18 Search out some interesting hooks for bath towels.

19 Room diffusers are both decorative and do a lot to refresh the room.

20 A wall-mounted magazine rack creates space.

21 House extra rolls of toilet paper in a ceramic pot or urn.

22 Find a new use for an old chair by painting it a bright colour and stacking magazines on it.

23 Line drawers with pretty wallpaper samples.

24 Fill a square, glass container with shells you or your kids have collected from various family vacations.

25 Group candles of varying sizes around the bathtub for instant ambiance.

26 Tie colourful ribbon around small groupings of rolled up neutral-coloured hand towels. Display on the counter.

27 Put a small shelf behind the toilet to store books.

28 Frame a piece of corkboard and use it to house your jewellery. Chances are you’re probably choosing accessories at the same time you’re applying make-up.

29 Frame vacation photos of the beach or waterfalls for some aqua-themed style.

30 Clear up clutter around the tub with a simple shower caddy.

31 If there is a window in your bathroom, add plants for a nice splash of green in your space.

32 Stagger towel hooks for an asymmetrical display of bath towels, ideally in graduating shades of the same colour.

33 Purge all the junk that’s accumulated in the drawers of the vanity. No wonder you can’t find the tweezers!

34 If you have kids, avoid countertop chaos by assigning each their own toiletries basket. There are many inexpensive options at most home decor stores.

35 Treat yourself to a bamboo bath caddy, with spots for a book, candle and glass of wine.

36 Clean out the medicine cabinet regularly to avoid a pile-up of expired creams and capsules.

37 Do away with the ratty bath mat and replace it with something plush and soft.

38 Line the back of the counter with small glass bottles and place a fresh cut flower in each.

39 Clean the bathroom from top to bottom to make it sparkle.

40 Add artwork if you have the wall space.

41 A stack of three neatly folded black or charcoal towels on a white countertop makes a style statement, so long as the counter is clear of clutter.

42 Replace an over-the-sink medicine cabinet with one that fits tightly in the corner if you can. Install an elegant mirror in its place.

43 Store the little things (hair elastics, lip gloss) in a pretty box or basket with a lid to avoid a tidal wave of trinkets taking over the counter.

44 House make-up in a vintage-inspired jewellery box.

45 Remove the door to one cabinet and show off your prettiest toiletries and perfume bottles.

46 Get rid of any cleaning products you have lying around. Store these under the sink in the kitchen.

47 Put a small end table beside the tub (of the same height) and use it to house your bath towel while you’re soaking.

48 Install new knobs or pulls on cabinets. Brushed metal is a stylish option.

49 Put dimmers on light fixtures so you have the option of softer lighting.

50 Try to keep clutter off your counter all the time, not just when company’s coming.

Pick and choose from this list as a way to continually upgrade your bathroom and keep it looking tidy and fresh.