LOVE YOUR LOO
Fancy a DIY update of your littlest room over the long weekend or a total makeover? Nathalie Marquez Courtney asks the experts for bathroom tips
NO doubt you’ve been spending part of your life on lockdown looking at the different ways you can improve your home. One of the easiest, most rewarding — and least intimidating — places to do that is the downstairs bathroom. Those of us who can’t do, can at least plan.
Though most showrooms remain closed, the majority of large bathroom suppliers were quick to innovate and are now offering virtual showroom tours and video consultations for those who wish to design or redesign their bathrooms, making this the perfect opportunity to pick the brains of an expert from the comfort of your couch.
Losing yourself in a redesign of your guest bathroom can be a fun distraction, as it’s one of the few places in the home you can go a bit wild, whether that is with daring colours you wouldn’t use anywhere else, over-the-top patterns or quirky accessories.
“It’s an area where you can be a little bit more adventurous, because you might only use it for five minutes at a time,” says Richard Sloan, MD of Sonas Bathrooms (sonasbathrooms.com). “So while you might take a safer approach to your main bathroom or your en suite, your downstairs loo can be a funkier zone. You’ve got opportunity to do something a little bit more creative.”
TEMPTING TILE TRENDS
While bathrooms haven’t escaped the interior trends that are dominating every other room in the home (think marble finishes, brass hardware and botanical accents), a few things have no doubt changed since last time you explored revamping yours.
First up, an explosion of bright colours on floors, walls, tiles and even cabinetry. “We’ve introduced a cabinet range this year that comes in really bright, bold reds, blues, greens and we’ve had a fantastic response because people are a bit more willing to try things in this space,” says Richard.
Tile Style’s bathroom manager Tony Murphy agrees: “While grey is definitely still there, we’re seeing a move towards taupe shades and pastels — in both matte and gloss — and more and more people are exploring bold statement walls.” Colour-saturated high gloss tiles in jewel tones create a lush enveloping feel.
Creative approaches to tile design abound. Italian tile brand Mutina collaborates with the likes of London-based industrial design studio Barber & Osgerby and architects like Patricia Urquiola to push the boundaries of what tile design can do, producing innovative statement pieces with a story to tell.
At the other end of the spectrum, there has been a resurgence in raw and rustic finishes in neutral tones set off with sleek black taps or glossy ceramics for a look that’s both soothing and interesting.
The increasing ubiquity of smart home technology is extending to the bathroom too. Products like the Rhythm light let you bathe your loo in a wide range of hues and come with a bluetooth-enabled built-in speaker, allowing you to stream your favourite podcast, playlist or even audiobook.
UP IN THE AIR
A lot of the innovations around bathroom design have been of the space-saving variety, and can help you make the most of the tiny guest bathroom footprint. Wall-mounted toilets, sinks with hidden piping and floating or recessed cabinets create a much roomier feel and make things easier to clean too. “People are very curious about wall-hung toilets, but are often concerned about how much weight they can take and how to access things when the cistern is concealed,” notes Tony. Generally, most wall-hung toilets will take up to 400 kilos (about as heavy as a horse), while the flush plate on the wall is now your ‘door’, should you need to repair or replace anything.
Making the space easier to care for is a big priority in bathroom spaces. “Rimless design is something that’s becoming very prevalent,” notes Richard. “It’s far more hygienic, easier to clean
— you don’t need to get up into these awkward under-the rim-places.”
QUICK WINS
If all this dreaming, scheming and planning leaves you itching for action, there are a few quick and easy ways to give your loo some love.
Start with a thorough clean. “How often do we really get in there and give the bathroom a real, deep clean?” laughs Richard. Retailers like Tile Style now stock specialist cleaning supplies as well, specifically for, say, ceramic sinks, showers, sanitaryware and tiles. “Some customers have become total evangelists of these products because they help them get that pristine look,” notes Tony.
Upgrading your toilet seat, swapping out a tired old toilet brush or replacing your bin would be other easy updates, as would adding a larger mirror — it can instantly make the room feel bigger. You could also play with temporary stickon tiles or paint the room a fun, experimental colour, but Richard recommends stopping at that, and leaving jobs like installing new taps to the pros (no matter how many YouTube tutorials you watch).
“There’s not too much damage you can do with a paintbrush other than spill some paint, but in terms of plumbing, water, electrics and the risks associated with that — things can get messy, fast.” You’ve been warned.