HOW TO TRANSFORM YOUR BATHROOM TO THE BEST ROOM IN THE HOUSE

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WHETHER you’re planning a practical family bathroom, en-suite, wet room or full-on home spa and personal sanctuary, here are some tips on where to start with your bathroom refurbishment.

Who should manage the project? You need to decide whether you want to: install the bathroom yourself, project manage other trades to fit your bathroom, or get a bathroom specialist to design and then see it through to completion for you. get a grip on costs - the average bathroom costs around £6,000 but costs can go much higher to the tens of thousands for luxury or designer extras. The experts say you could potentially mange the project yourself if you aim to spend less than £5,000, but you may have to sacrifice finishing details to make sure the basics like plumbing and tiling are spot on. If sourcing and fitting the bathroom yourself, you can find a cheap bathroom suite for as little as £200. But you’ll need to source and work out your budget for accessories, shower fittings, taps, tiles, grouting and other materials, which can double the price. You’ll spend a lot of time sourcing materials online and in stores and need to be a confident DIYER. But you will be in full control of your budget, final look and the results can be impressive. While fitting the bathroom yourself can save up to 60% of the cost, it’s important to consider the time and difficulty of the job before taking the project on. You should always get a professional in when it comes to gas or electric. If you’re putting in an electric shower, use a registered electrician – mistakes can be fatal! Whether buying the products yourself or getting someone in, it’s worth looking at the guarantees, especially for things like grouting or sealant, which are costly to replace if they spring a leak. Look for lifetime or 10-year-plus warranties. And as always, if you’re opting for someone to do the work for you, make sure to seek out a reputable tradesman. Furnishing your new bathroom Whether fitting yourself or using a specialist, you’ll need to decide what will go into your new bathroom. Many people use their existing bathroom as a template, but start with a blank canvas to create a space that enhances your lifestyle. Don’t forget bathroom storage space for towels, toilet rolls and toiletries. It’s worth working this into the original design to ensure you can fit everything in. For ideas and mood boards, Pinterest is a great tool and most designers now have an account so you can work the mood board between you. Don’t confine your design options either, d remember you’re in charge - you can go for all sorts of different bath, a wet room, even a bidet or a douche. Lighting can be a key detail, with basics starting at downlighting working up to back-lighting mirrors and lit ‘feature walls’. A split-face tile with concealed downlighting can make a breathtaking feature. And if you’re feeling extra fancy, a TV or flush-mounted speakers to listen to your music wirelessly as you bathe is an option too. If you really want to splash out, how about a home spa? A simple sauna can start at about £5,000 and will bring your home up to serious luxury level. Next, consider wall coverings. Will you go for standard ceramic, or splash out on natural stone? When it comes to practicalities it is important to consider how long the job will realistically take. Depending on the size and layout of your home, the work could be quite disruptive, but the average bathroom make over can take between one and three weeks to tie up. If it’s going to be a big job and it’s your only bathroom, consider a holiday or staying with relatives to make sure you’re not without washing facilities for any length of time.