Self care starts at home.

We are always advocating for the act of taking a moment to look after ourselves in the everyday actions and rituals of a very important room within the house - The bathroom. Whether you are starting from scratch or upgrading an existing bathroom, there are things that we can all do to enhance the bathing or showering experience at home every day!

The first steps to your dream bathroom is always going to start with how it looks. Choose colours and materials that you love and want to look at everyday. If, for example, you are soaking in the bathtub facing a tiled wall - choose a tile shape, colour and/or pattern that you adore and will not tire of in 6 to 12 months. Are they interesting to look at? Is there a slight colour variation between each individual tile? Have you chosen a playful pattern using shapes and colour? As designers, we love a good play around with tile formation and can present you with an array of tiling options, but if you are going it alone - there are also tools on some suppliers’ websites where you can play around with tile placement, choosing colours; sizes and finishes. Try Popham Design for great tiles and a really fun ‘Play’ simulator.

Bathrooms come in all manner of sizes, but try not to be disheartened if you have a particularly small space to work with. Smaller bathrooms can add to the illusion of being cocooned in a space which can evoke the feeling of safety and comfort. These are two of the key things that we seek from our homes according to research from The Happiness Research institute.* If you are feeling brave and want to fully embrace a smaller sized bathroom, then go to town with a bold paint hue and drench the space in colour. We love small, dark painted bathrooms - including the ceiling!

For smaller bathrooms and bigger bathrooms alike, layout is as important for one as it is for the other. The priority for smaller bathrooms is definitely maximising on storage opportunities and where possible keeping the floor clear and uncluttered. Use a wall hung toilet with a concealed cistern to allow the eye a clear view of a larger floor space whilst also allowing for hidden storage/shelves or even an alongside toilet niche in the wall can hide the plumbing that you will inevitably find in the bathroom. And then there’s the larger bathroom sizes. The golden rule, ‘Go big, or go home!’ definitely applies when you are lucky enough to have a larger bathroom. Be very cautious with layout planning as you do run the risk of the space feeling sparse, cold and lacking in character. Without a considered plan, you will not only end up with a space that feels unfinished but you may also end up with disproportionate items in your bathroom. When you are lucky enough to have a more generous amount of space, then you should really think about the size and placement of the items you are using and utilising the space with free-standing, larger items such as a stand alone bath with floor standing hardware.

The materials we choose for bathroom hardware can have a big impact too. Warmer, brass and gold finishes create a nice contrast on a deeply coloured backdrop - whilst brushed steel, chrome or matt black are perfect for a modern monochrome style. Either way, go and visit showrooms to compare tones and finishes. It is also worth noting that there can be great variety in one manufacturers version of a finish compared to that of another, so if you can, buy the whole range of items that you need from the same brand to avoid mismatched finishes. ABI Interiors are one of our favourites for bathroom hardware, as they have a great range of colours and finishes available in a variety of styles.

In an ideal world, and at the beginning stages of planning for your bathroom, think about working in some alternative lighting to the main light source. A dropped ceiling in the shower to allow for a concealed lighting track provides a soothing wash of subtle light and really shows off a beautifully glazed tile. One or two alternative options other than the main light source is something that we attempt to work into all of our designs. It really does elevate the space by providing various lighting options. Make sure to ask your electrician to wire each zone independently so that you can utilise and isolate whichever you need for a particular mood.

NOTE: When purchasing your bathroom lights (particularly online), do make sure that they meet UK (or other applicable region) regulations for each zone of the bathroom.

At Consult by FD, we champion making the spaces that we live in more beautiful, more functional and adapting to enhance our lifestyles. Although we love the prospect of a new project, we also appreciate that there are lots of you who have maybe begun your own self renovation project or are looking to make some small (but mighty!) adjustments to your current bathroom(s). There are other things that you can add to your space and elevate that feeling of luxurious comfort. Consider adding these 4 things to help you reach the ultimate goal of Spa Vibes…
Should you wish to discuss your bathroom goals with us, you can book a complimentary intro call here.

*SOURCE: By Meik Wiking, CEO of The Happiness Research Institute and Our Hanreck, Researcher of The Happiness Research Institute.

Spa vibes.

Comfort + Joy.

An Ideal Home.