how to... turn a bedroom into a bathroom
BARELY USING THE SPARE ROOM? RETHINK IT BY CREATING THAT DREAMED OF EN SUITE OR INDULGENT SPA-STYLE SANCTUARY
1 sweat the practical stuff
Build into the layout as much storage as possible without affecting the aesthetic. The more storage you have, the easier it is to keep the room looking fabulous. A vanity with discreet drawers is my go-to – or a mirrored wall with a cupboard behind it. Charu Gandhi, founder and director, Elicyon
2 planning permission
There’s no need to obtain planning permission to convert one room to another or change the space within your property. It’s only necessary if you’re extending your home or altering the exterior in some way. It’s still advisable to seek professional advice as you might be able to use your space more efficiently. For example, placing a bath at a different angle or borrowing space from another room. Hayley Robson, creative director,
Day True
3 pipe dreams
Knowing whether walls are solid or studwork is a must, as this will determine whether you can channel pipes and concealed fittings into existing walls or will need to build out. Also write a list of ‘must haves’ – for example, double or single basin? Bath or shower, or both? Then configure the layout. If you’re tight on space, wall-hung toilets and vanity units give the illusion of more floor area. Rebecca Milnes, senior designer,
C.P. Hart
4 future proof
Also think about how your bathroom usage might change over time. Just because you don’t need a bath or shower now, doesn’t mean you won’t in a few years. A separate shower can be considered a luxury if space is tight. However, there are ways around it, including wet rooms and folding screens that take up less room. Barrie Cutchie, design director, BC Designs
5structure
Structural elements to consider are: is there sufficient beam support to bear the weight of a bath, how will the room be ventilated and is there a light source? And focus on maximising the sense of space – a spacious feeling bathroom with no bath is a bigger asset than a cramped bathroom with a bath. Colin Roby-welford, creative director, Fired Earth
6 lather in luxury
If a room hasn’t been a bathroom before, you’ll need to check how it can be adapted to accommodate plumbing – and at what cost. These basic layout checks will determine where fittings can be placed. During this stage, contemplate underfloor heating to create a room that is truly luxurious. James Lentaigne, creative director, Drummonds
7 time for tech
Kaizen is a Japanese philosophy that is about constant improvement, so turning a bedroom into a bathroom is definitely an enhancement to your lifestyle. Balance is vital, too. Japanese bathrooms are a mix of tradition and tech – a simple design may hide innovative solutions. The automated functions of many of Toto’s designs create a sense of wellbeing and a haven of peace. Hiroyuki Higashimoto,
UK manager, Toto
8 decor decisions
Consider the room, who will be using it and how much natural light there is.
Some people are morning shower people and like invigorating colours to wake up to. Others prefer evening baths, in which case choose more relaxing neutrals and subtle lighting. With flooring, beware of ‘anti- slip’ finishes promising to make surfaces not as slippery. In our experience, they don’t work.
Emma Stevenson, interior designer, Emma Stevenson Interiors Consultancy
9 buck the trend
I recommend traditional-style taps in an interesting finish – polished nickel is a lovely warm metal that is timeless but looks more premium than chrome. Get samples of your tiles, hardware finishes, surfaces and wall colours and put them next to each other in your new bathroom in daylight to check they work together. Be wary of anything that’s popular on social media. The last thing you want is to tire of your bathroom in a few years, so think about picking pieces that won’t date and add colour on walls that can easily be repainted . Or use bold, on-trend tiling sparingly so it can be changed later on without too much cost.
Beth Dadswell, interior designer and founder, Imperfect Interiors