EDITOR’S LETTER

Claire Lloyd has been a member of the Homebuilding & Renovating team for 14 years. She’s currently in the midst of another renovation.

This month we turn our attention to the smallest room. While they may occupy just a small proportion of our homes’ floor area, when it comes to upgrading existing bathrooms, or introducing new ones as part of self-build or extension schemes, these compact spaces can throw up all sorts of challenges. On the one hand, we’re overwhelmed by ideas and products to help create an individual space; a haven away from our busy lives. On the other, the design and specification may be dictated by the existing plumbing, spatial constraints (a common concern being, ‘Can I fit in a separate shower and bath?’) and budget. Bringing all these elements together to create a room that is both practical and beautiful is no mean feat. Having recently finished the bathrooms in my latest renovation, my quick tips are: Put aside a contingency fund — you never know what you might need to repair or replace once flooring is lifted or those old wall tiles come off; when purchasing sanitaryware online be mindful that some suppliers’ product specs are limited to say the least — do your research and ensure that your chosen vanity unit or toilet works with existing waste, for instance, before buying; don’t overlook the small details (the lighting scheme, how you’ll finish the vanity splashback, covering exposed towel radiator pipes and so on). But far beyond my two pennies worth, we’ve put together a 15-page buying guide to bathrooms. Turn to page 133 to find out what you need to know — from the key considerations, the design and install routes available, and the costs. Enjoy.