Top 5 Bathroom Design Decisions for your Californian Bungalow Renovation
There is lots to decide on when you are sitting down planning the design and layout of your new bathroom. We get it you don’t want to get it wrong, because you will be living with it for years to come. If you are stuck on where to start, first off ask yourself:
How big is the space, do you want both a bath and a shower?
Does it need to be family/ kid friendly?
Do you want loads of storage?
What are the needs of your family now and will these needs change in the future?
Now that you have thought through that let’s dive into our Top 5 Design Decisions!
Yay or Nay for a Bath?
For us adding a bath is a quick YAY! It can be a real statement piece and focal point in your bathroom.
Adding a bath tub comes down to personal choice and space. Obviously, if you love to relax and wind down in a bath after a long day or if you have a young family then adding a bath tub to your design would be a must have. For others you might rather maximise the space and opt for a larger shower instead. However, it is also important to note that if you have the space for a bath then it is more likely that come sale day of your property most buyers would be looking for one. If you are working with a narrow space you may prefer to have a shower and bathtub combo where the shower head is above the bathtub and there is a modern, clear glass shower screen on the bathtub. Or save on space again with a wet room design - the shower is not enclosed at all and is beside a freestanding bathtub.
Saying Yay, but now can’t decide between a Freestanding or Built-In Bath?
Freestanding Bath Pros vs Cons
Freestanding Baths look amazing! There are modern white acrylic freestanding options that are very popular and then you can take things up a notch, with two tone acrylic, marble, stone or concrete tubs. You can choose from a variety of shapes and decide on either a flat base or traditional-style claw foot tub. However, they can be more expensive and also not the most practical choice. Dust can get behind them, making them harder to clean. If the space permits in your home then being able to walk around the statement bath tub would make cleaning a non-issue. Ideally leave 100mm and 300mm around the bath for easier cleaning. Unlike, a built-in bath tub you miss out on added storage, the solution to this issue is investing in a timber shelf that sits on the ledge or across the bath tub.
Built-In Bath Pros vs Cons
Built-in Baths are easier to clean. They may not be a nice focal point to look at but you can make them more appealing by taking a feature colourful mosaic or classic stone tile up the bath tub to dress it up. There is a ledge for storage around a built-in bath that make it a popular choice.
2. To Frame Or Not To Frame?
Frameless vs Framed Shower
With open lines and no frames the finished look is sleek and modern! Without frames holding the glass there is reduced chances of mould building up as the water gets trapped. Frameless options can suit a variety of bathroom layouts as the door can move both inward and outward. However, because of the need for heavy-duty glass and installation the frameless option is more expensive.
With a fully framed shower screen you can choose from a range of frame colours, between clear, frosted or patterned glass and whether or not to have a sliding or pivoting door. The overall look is a bit bulky and not ultra modern like a frameless or semi-frameless shower screen. However, if an ultra modern look is not what you are after for your space, or you are working with a limited budget wanting to avoid the added cost of heavy-duty glass then the framed shower is the more economical choice.
A lot of home owners meet in the middle and decide to install a semi-frameless shower screen. You can still have a modern look for your new bathroom with a more affordable price tag in comparison to choosing completely frameless.
3. Single or Double Vanity?
If you are working with a large space that can comfortably fit a double vanity then it is a great choice to add value to your home. Sharing the bathroom with your partner can mean you each have your own space and extra bench top storage. However, be careful not to overcrowd your bathroom space trying to fit it in.
The single vanity is a very popular choice that can come in a variety of styles and perfect for smaller sized bathrooms. With a single single vanity you can sometimes get more drawer storage as you aren’t trying to fit in the plumbing for two sinks.
4. Type of Toilet?
If your new bathroom design is very modern and you are looking to save space then you might prefer to have the cistern hidden inside the wall cavity and go with an Invisi’ Toilet Suite (behind the wall/ concealed).
Otherwise, the most popular choice for home owners is the Wall Faced Toilet Suite (or back to wall). The back of the pan sits flush against the wall. With no gaps between the wall and the toilet it makes for easy cleaning.
5. Shower Ledge or Shower Niche?
Storage in the shower can be either a shower ledge or shower niche. But what is the difference?
Shower ledge is just a flat shelf that comes off the shower wall. There is no height limitation with a shower ledge so you can store different sized shampoo and conditioner bottles, etc.
Whereas, the shower niche is compact and a space saver option. It is a rectangle or square space cut into the shower wall. There is a height restriction that can affect what you store in the niche.
