Be smart with bathroom space
Space is one thing many bathrooms lack. But with some clever planning and product selection, there are plenty of ways to make the most of what you’ve got.
Louise Cook, product manager for Mico Bathrooms, says the options for space saving bathroomware and storage are ‘‘almost limitless.’’
‘‘It all comes down to what a person needs in their bathroom. Is it a family bathroom, ensuite, or is it just for a single person to use?’’
The vanity, which is usually the first thing people purchase for a bathroom, can be customised to fit any space.
Cook says slimline options are popular for tight spaces, while floating wall-hung versions give the illusion of spaciousness as more of the floor can be seen.
Internally, vanities can have any kind of drawer, cupboard or shelf you can think of.
‘‘Almost anything you can put into a kitchen cupboard, you can put in a bathroom vanity too,’’ she says. ‘‘Hidden drawers for makeup and built-in LED lighting are both great space savers.’’
Award winning interior designer Davinia Sutton agrees that custom-designed cabinetry is the best way to save space in bathrooms.
‘‘If you design a vanity there are all sorts of clever tricks you can use to save space and create the illusion of having more space,’’ she says. ‘‘For instance you can narrow the depth of a basin or move the wastes to avoid them being in the middle of the cupboard.’’
Sutton also suggests going for a moulded acrylic sink that’s part of the bench top and wall-mounting tapware to give more usable bench space.
Mirrored cabinets with built-in shelving and recessed tiled shelves in the shower or behind the toilet are also ways to maximise storage.
Wall-hung toilets, where the cistern is hidden, are good for tight spots and give a sleek look.
Cook says: ‘‘Wall space in bathrooms tends to be vertical rather than horizontal, so people want to make the most of that.’’
She’s seen a move towards slimline towel racks or ones that hang from the ceiling or come up from the ground.
‘‘These are often what people put in last, so they need to fit the space that’s available.’’
And finally Sutton says designers will use lighting, tiling and colour to give an overall feeling of spaciousness in a bathroom.
‘‘Many people think dark colours close a space down but in the bathroom they work to make it look bigger because your eye can’t find the depth of field. Lighting and tiles can enhance this.’’