beautiful bathrooms

A glamorous bathroom is the ultimate indulgence in any home. Go for a total decadence or go for a more modern, minimalist approach. “The great thing about bathrooms is that they’re a great place to get away, but you don’t have to be there 24/7,” says Lesley Taylor, interior designer and director of design for the award-winning firm Taylor’s design, etc. “This means you can be grittier with your bathroom than you could be in the rest of the house, and it’s the perfect space to go all-out glam.”

A beautiful bathtub, carefully chosen touch surfaces, clever lighting or opulent accessories can help create a bathroom space fit for a goddess, and the good news is that glamorous shapes and finishes are all the rage. “When you stay at a wonderful boutique hotel, one of the first things you do is go to the bathroom and pamper yourself,” says interior designer Shaun Clarkson. ‘Why not make it possible in your own home, every day of the week?’

So whether you’re lucky enough to have a large bathroom (and a budget to match), or funds and space are more limited, we’ve rounded up a number of ways you can spruce up your bathroom space and make it the perfect bathroom. more beautiful. room in the house

Installations and accessories

There is nothing more glamorous than a beautiful bathroom in the middle of the room,” says Leslie Taylor. “Even in a small space, a freestanding tub instantly adds to the wow factor.” Choose a reclaimed roll top to add character, sculpted stone for quality, or a curvaceous Corian or Crystal Plant number for a modern take. “Composites are popular in the bathroom,” says Hayley Tarrington, a senior designer at CP Hart. “The advantage is that they have a warmer, more solid feel than other man-made materials.”

Panel baths with a difference

If a freestanding tub isn’t an option, there are plenty of other ways to make your sunken tub a sight to behold. “There’s a real return to paneled bathrooms,” observes Lesley Taylor. I’ve seen buttoned paneling that oozes 1930s glamour. A mirrored panel is a stylish alternative, or try bold wood with a rich grain. Turn to SL Hardwoods for moisture resistant veneered MDF, ideal in humid conditions.

fashion faucets

Complement your bathroom with well-chosen taps and consider combining modern ceramics with traditional taps or vice versa for an eclectic look. “Quality brassware is an easy way to add a design element,” says Hayley Tarrington. “Matte platinum and gold give a luxurious feel and are on-trend.” Louise Streek, a designer at the interior design company Evitavonni, agrees. ‘The key with gold faucets is to go for a really contemporary shape.’ Shaun Clarkson suggests another way to embrace the gold trend. “If brass is left unlacquered, it will age very well.”

Water flow

In addition to choosing accessories, your choice of water flow can also add a touch of spa flair. “Waterfall taps dispense water in a soft, soothing stream, and soothing rain showers come with a number of settings including mist, light and Amazonian-style downpour,” says Steven Salt, manager at Boffi in Chelsea. Always check the water pressure as well, as if it is low you may need to install a pump, so ask your plumber for advice. Fitting a shower over a freestanding bath or, space permitting, a separate walk-in shower is a real bonus. Keep things to a minimum with a frameless shower enclosure and low level tray for a wet room feel at a fraction of the cost.

bed bath

Another trend that will continue is the modern bathroom: a bedroom/bathroom. Keeping things open gives a fantastic feeling of space and light, and means clothes and toiletries are close at hand. “If you opt for a bathroom in your bedroom, you’ll probably have to put the toilet in a separate closet,” advises Steven Salt. ‘Alternatively, separate the bathing area with a partition or doors.’

Surfaces and Materials

“The surfaces in your bathroom are key to creating a sense of luxury,” says Steven Salt, “and with so many materials available, there’s no excuse for blandness.” Hayley Tarrington agrees: “We’re seeing a lot of true colors. Reds, purples, metallics, even navy blues and greens.

Complete it with shiny mosaics, like those from Sicis. “A sparkling tiled backsplash or bath panel will add to the wow factor and is possible even on a modest budget or in a small bathroom,” says Louise Streek.

At the other end of the scale, think big with large tiles of marble or textured slate. “Combine with traditional ceramic and spider faucets for a modern look,” says Louise. For easy maintenance, porcelain tile is easy to care for and won’t scratch.

Glass panels (like the ones on your kitchen backsplash) will bounce the light. “Smoked glass is classy,” says Hayley. ‘Use it as a shower screen or even as a room divider.’

Patterned mosaics are big again, following the example of wallpapers. Also consider long porcelain tiles instead of floorboards and glossy compounds for wallcovering. Head to Surface, Paris Ceramics and Porcelanosa.

essential bathroom storage

Creating a quiet space is sometimes as much about what you can’t see as what you can see. The bathroom generally needs to house a large number of lotions and potions, not to mention a large number of less aesthetically pleasing products. Well-planned storage is key to maintaining a heavenly harmonious space.
Bathroom cabinets can be quite shallow because, as a rule, the contents are relatively small and narrow. A 100mm deep cabinet takes up very little space but can store a large number of toiletries.

Install a towel rack to warm and hold bath towels.

A combination of open and closed storage ensures that your luxurious body care products are on display, while less glamorous items are tucked away out of sight. Be sure to leave room for cleaning supplies and toilet paper rolls.

Subdivide the drawers for toiletries so smaller items are easily at hand.

Turning on

“Lighting is key when it comes to baths and beauty,” says makeup artist Ruby Hammer. “The perfect lighting comes from bulbs that mimic natural light and I suggest installing a dimmer switch. That way, you can have them maxed out for makeup or soften the lighting to create a spa-like atmosphere. Ensure a perfectly lit bathroom space with layers of lighting on separate circuits, allowing you to turn the levels up or down. For true Hollywood glam, surround a star-style mirror with lights for essential side-by-side lighting. Use mini capsule lamps (available from John Cullen) as a modern alternative to traditional light bulbs, which can be connected to a dimmer.

“Downlighters need direction,” says Jenny Smart, a senior lighting designer at John Cullen. ‘Bounce light off the walls and sinks, or match them against a tiled surface to accentuate colors and textures.’

A low level light source adds real glamour. Install lighting that washes the floor with a soft glow or mount lights under a floating vanity or sink.

For total feminine glamour, there’s nothing better than a pretty chandelier. “Unfortunately, building regulations mean that in most bathrooms it’s impossible to fit a working model, as they’re not waterproof,” says Leslie Taylor of Taylor’s Etc. ‘A good way around this is to do a little cheat by installing recessed lighting above the chandelier to make the crystals sparkle.’

finishing keys

“Finishing touches aren’t just about aesthetics,” says Hayley Tarrington. Underfloor heating is a real treat – Devi and Nu-Heat have good ranges, and new technology can up the luxury factor, too. “Watching your favorite soap lather up is one of life’s little luxuries,” says Leslie Taylor. Try Aquavision’s The Towel Warmer Series: a waterproof LCD TV that looks like a mirror when turned off.

Upholstered furniture is a forgiving addition, but good extraction is key if you include textiles in your scheme.

Think beyond the functional and bet on decorative furniture. Try the Barbara Barry Glamor range of mirrors at West One Bathrooms, Creazioni for modern baroque or the curvaceous range from Jaime Hayon for Artquitect.

Keep clutter at bay with well-designed storage, but keep some of your most beautiful bottles on display.

Invest in fluffy bath towels. Add color with Missoni stripes, head to Calvin Klein for neutrals, and try super-absorbent long-pile Egyptian cotton from The White Company.

A water softener improves suds and reduces rings around the bath.