Complete Bathroom Bible
How Much Does a New Bathroom Cost?
Fixtures + Fittings: up to £2500
- The average cost of bathroom products such as toilets, basins, taps, shower/baths and hardware comes to around £2500.
- This figure is taken from My Bespoke Room's average cost of their clients' bathroom projects.
Cost of Installation: From £1000-£2000
- The removal of old bathroom furniture can add to this figure and this hugely depends on the size of the project and number of people working on installation.
- Suite installation (toilet, basin, shower/bath, taps and other furniture) ranges from £1000-£2000.
Tiling and Finishing Touches: up to £2000
- The decoration and finishing touches are usually the most expensive part of a bathroom renovation as it's the most time consuming.
- This step includes tiling, flooring and painting and this usually comes at a cost of £1000 - £2000
Bathroom Layouts
Small Bathroom Layouts
Here are the key pointers you should take into consideration when designing a small or narrow bathroom. It's crucial to focus on the essentials when designing a small space, which may mean sacrificing a bath for a shower and a vanity unit for a wall-hung basin.
Loft Bathroom Layouts
Lofts can be difficult spaces to style due to low ceilings, cramped spaces and a lack of natural light. Luckily, our 3D bathroom designers have some great advice for how to work around awkwardly-shaped rooms to create the bathroom of your dreams.
Bathroom Design Ideas
Keeping it Natural
Natural elements like wood and plants add warmth and colour to a space, instantly relaxing you and connoting feelings of being in a spa.
Incorporate touches of nature into your bathroom with plants, wooden furniture and panelling, stone finishes and exposed brick.
Colourful Vanity Units + Basins
While classic white bathroom basins are great for a traditional look, more people are opting for statement coloured basins and vanitys to add a fresh pop to their bathrooms.
Blush pinks, navy and sage green are popular colours for vanity units and we have a great selection of coloured furniture here at Drench.
Bathroom Wallpaper
Wallpaper is back on trend! Downstairs cloakrooms are a great opportunity to experiment with wallpaper as you don't spend a lot of time in them, so can afford to go big and bold.
Avoid placing wallpaper directly in splash zones, specifically near a shower/bath as this can lead to peeling. You can buy vinyl wallpaper which is more durable and resistant to water.
Bathroom Fitting Cost
Find out the average cost of a new bathroom, how much labour will be and more in our handy cost guide for bathroom renovations.
Bathroom Colour Ideas
Choosing your bathroom paint colours is a big commitment! This article explores on trend bathroom paint colours plus the best colour ideas for small bathrooms. Prepare to be inspired.
Bathroom Tile Guide
The choice of tiles out there can be overwhelming! From classic metro and chevron shapes, to scallop and penny tiles, there's an abundance of different types that are readily available. Luckily, this guide will take you through the most popular types of tile and provide some great design inspiration along the way.
Bathroom Flooring Ideas
Bathroom flooring options can seem overwhelming, as there are plenty of different options to choose from! This article will break down the most common types of bathroom flooring along with some aftercare tips and design inspiration.
Glossy Finishes
- Polished baths and basins are the most traditional type of sanitaryware and a finish that many people request when designing their bathrooms. Polished surfaces are well-suited for bathrooms that lack natural light, as any available light will reflect upon these glossy surfaces, making the space look bright, fresh and more inviting.
- Polished basins are versatile and look great when paired with other glossy finishes such as chrome taps and glossy tiles, but also matt finishes such as black taps.
Matt Finishes
- Matt finishes are a modern alternative to polished features and have a certain flatter, two-dimensional finish that will make a statement in any bathroom they’re placed in. Matt finishes have been making waves around the home for a few years now and matt black finishes for taps, showers and accessories are continuing to be a popular choice in bathrooms.
- The wonderful thing about matt is that it’s easy to maintain; the material won’t show imperfections such as smudges and fingerprints, making it a great option for busy bathrooms.
The 14 Best Best Bathroom Plants
Plants are an easy way to bring a touch of nature into your bathroom. As you'll find out in this article, they also bring a whole host of other benefits including air purification and relaxation.
Porcelain Sinks
Pros
- Porcelain is known for its sleek and polished finish. Modern, spa-themed bathrooms will suit porcelain sinks as they’re usually very minimalist and stylish.
- It’s also non-porous and easy to clean, so it's a great low-maintenance option. You can rest assured that any stains and grime will be easy to remove from the surface and the sparkle can be maintained with ease.
Cons
- Due to its overall durability, porcelain can have the susceptibility to chip as it is a lot thinner than concrete.
- You should be wary to use harsh chemicals such as bleach on porcelain as it can be prone to staining and discolouring.
Concrete Sinks
Pros
- Concrete sinks are super stylish and unique - no two concrete sinks will look the same. Rustic, industrial bathrooms will suit these types of sinks and the material can be painted in a variety of colours such as blush pink and or black.
- Concrete is also easy to maintain and durable. As long as the material is sealed and waxed regularly, it’ll be protected from various elements and wear + tear.
Cons
- The material is naturally porous, so high quality sealers are recommended to protect concrete from spill and stains.
- There can be limitations in terms of size and style, as concrete sinks are usually manufactured to a standard width and length to ensure it’s durable enough for use.
Lighting and Heating
Bathroom Heating Guide
With so many options available, choosing the best way to keep your bathroom warm can sometimes be difficult. Luckily, we've created this handy guide to help you determine the most efficient, stylish and cost effective way to heat your bathroom.
Bathroom Lighting Ideas
It's important to get your bathroom lighting right! Whether you have a large, spacious bathroom or a small cloakroom, refreshing your bathroom lighting can elevate your space and add another dimension to your design.
Aftercare, Storage + Decluttering
Cleaning Special Finishes
- Regular clean - drying your tap with a microfibre cloth after use will prevent limescale on your hardware. Clean regularly with a mix of hot water and washing up liquid to keep on top of stains and water marks.
- Deep clean - a 75/25 solution of lemon juice and water will remove tougher stains. Gently scrub the solution on the tap with a soft sponge and leave on to dissolve the limescale deposits for 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with water.
- Special finish taps - for matt black, chrome or brushed brass taps, it’s important to avoid using harsh chemicals. Warm soapy water is enough to preserve the coating of your tap and you can also clean with a 75/25 lemon juice and water solution for a tougher clean. Ensure this isn’t left on for more than a couple of minutes before rinsing.
Designing an Easy-to-Clean Bathroom
- Creating an easy-to-clean bathroom actually starts when sourcing your products! Opting for clever furniture such as rimless toilets and 'easy clean' glass showers as these will save you bags of time when cleaning your bathroom.
- Opting for large tiles with less grout lines prevents dirt between intricate grout lines and glossy tiles are easier to clean rather than wallpaper or paint. Avoid white grout as this will show dirt and mould more clearly than darker colours.
- Choose wall-mounted furniture such as vanity units and toilets, so you can easily get to the floor underneath with mops.
- Being clever with your bathroom design will enable you to spend more time enjoying your bathroom and less time cleaning it!
Bathroom Storage Ideas
- From shower cubby holes to upcycling, we've got some great ideas for how to create a beautifully tidy bathroom space.
- Installing shelves in unused spaces such as above toilets and creating recessed shelves in shower walls are a great way to store bathroom essentials out of sight. Bathroom products placed on bathroom sinks and on shower trays will automatically make your space appear cluttered, and cause staining on the surface.
- Instead of installing a plain mirror, opt for a mirrored bathroom cabinet to provide extra storage space without losing the importance of a mirror.
- If you have a vanity unit or bathroom storage, grab some drawer dividers to keep your bathroom products neatly organised.
