The smallest room in the house has got bigger, more important, and a lot more luxurious. Eoin Lyonshas practical suggestions for a bathroom re-design
The range of hi-tech bathroom products on the market is growing in response to demand for a level of luxury previously unseen in what was often the smallest room in the house. It's now possible to create a spa environment at home, by installing anything from steam cabins to luxury bath systems. Cromotherapy, which uses light for healing and inducing a sense of well-being; digital showers that can be turned on and the water warmed up before the user enters the bathroom; and watching television from the comfort of your bath: these are some of the features of today's bathrooms. Mood lighting and sound systems are also keenly sought. Versatile Bathrooms, The Yard, and Auron Bathroomsare some of the market leaders in bathroom technology.
PLANNING A BATHROOM
Start by visiting some showrooms for inspiration, then analyse your existing bathroom to determine what works about the space and what doesn't, and whether any of the fittings can be retained. Decide if a bath, shower, or both are required. Consider if the bathroom is large enough, and located in the best position in the home. If the room is very small, it may be possible to use some space from an adjoining room, cupboard or separate WC to enlarge it.
Draw up a rough floor plan of the room, to scale if possible. Note the positions of existing plumbing, electrics, radiators, widows and doorways. This is relevant whether you intend to design the room yourself or to consult a professional. In particular, check the position of the oil stack (the large pipe that carries waste away from the toilet). Moving it could be expensive, or impossible, so consider this when positioning the new toilet.
Many showrooms, such as Surface, offer a full design and fitting service, and your plan will be vital for initial discussions. Other showrooms, such as Ideal Bathrooms, simply sell bathroom fittings and devices, leaving the customer to employ an interior designer or to design the room themselves. When designing a bathroom, consult the plumber or builder early on to establish any limitations of the space. Think about how you will move around the bathroom. This will stop you putting things too close together. Wall-hung toilets and basins create a clean feel, but the pipe work will need to be concealed in the wall, which is not always possible. And if it is, you'll need access points for items such as cisterns and waste pipes: removable sections of panelling are a good solution.
SMALL SPACES
A small bathroom is not an obstacle to achieving a relaxing environment. Baths can be sculpted to fit into awkward corners, while shower screens can be customised to create a separate shower area in the most unlikely corners. Flair Internationalhas a good reputation in this area. Freestanding totem pole fittings, such as shower towers, or floor-mounted bath spots, further open up the design possibilities. H2O Pumpsin Wicklow specialises in shower fittings.
It's important in a small bathroom to keep as much as possible off the floor (have the sink and toilet wall-mounted if possible), so you can see all corners of the room, which makes the space seem larger. Have the walls and floors clad in the same material and don't break up a small space by using too many materials.
LIGHTING
Well designed lighting adds atmosphere and a softer ambiance for bathing, as well as illumination for tasks such as shaving and applying make-up. Always have lights on a dimmer switch. There are standards governing the installation of lights and electrical sockets. Lights must be operated by a pull cord or a switch outside the bathroom. Switched electrical sockets are banned, except those for shaving. Light fittings must be protected from dust and moisture. Check out the selection is these shops: The National Lighting Centre; Lamps & Lighting; Willie Duggan Lighting.
HEATING
Try to include a least one heated rail. Even with a traditional heating system in the rest of the house, you can have under-floor heating by fitting a Devimat - ask your builder of electrician about these - under a stone or tile floor. As well as giving you toasty toes, any water soon evaporates, which is good for wet rooms.
TILES AND FLOORING
Ceramic tiles with a matt finish in neutral colours, such as limestone or grey, are popular because they replicate the look of stone without the expense or weight. On an upper floor, particularly in old buildings, it can be better to use soft flooring to reduce the overall weight. Some timber flooring is suitable for use in a bathroom. It is often constructed from hardwood backed with a base of marine ply birch, so it is immune to changes in temperature and humidity, and can even be used with under-floor heating. An existing wood floor can be covered with a sheet of birch-faced plywood and sealed with varnish. Ply can also be used to line walls and basin surrounds. Choose exterior-grade plywood which comes in a range of veneers and can be protected with varnish.
WATER PRESSURE
The shower and taps you can install in your bathroom will be determined by the nature of the water system in your home. Showers that disperse large volumes of water will require powerful pumps, and larger-than-average water storing facilities. Speak to your plumber about the type of water system you have in your home. Some taps are designed for high pressure and will not work with traditional, low-pressure systems.
CREATING A WET ROOM
A wet room is a walk-in showering area where the water drains through a small hole in the floor. It provides a contemporary solution in a tight space, but it is essential to consult a professional designer or architect before installing one. The space must be tanked (treated with several coats of asphalt or fibreglass applied over a ply wood base to create a waterproof membrane); there must be suitable drainage, created by a slope to the floor; and enough structural support to bear the weight of the heavy materials involved. Rooms with suspended wooden floors present problems, but advances in tanking technology mean it's becoming easier, and less costly, to create a wet room, even in older homes. When designing a wet room, reinforce the contemporary feel with a wall-mounted toilet and include storage to keep toiletries out of sight. Use a non-slip surface for the floor. Wet rooms may work better in small spaces, which mimic the steamy warmth of a shower enclosure. A large, draughty wet room can make for a distinctly chilly showering experience.
BUYING SANITARY WARE
Instead of a basin, consider a purpose-built shallow trough tiled with in tiny mosaics. Add wall-mounted taps and keep it simple. Baths and shower trays now come in many shapes and sizes and are generally made from steel or acrylic. Spend as much as you can afford on these pieces as they will serve you better in the long run. A top-of-the-range stone tray can look great, but choose carefully, as polished stone is very slippery when wet. You can deal with this by using a removable duck board, available from Dunnes Home.
Steel baths are more durable, but acrylic ones have a warmer feel and come in a greater variety of shapes. If you want a bath in the centre of your room, it's likely that plumbing will have to be altered and the floor taken up. A bath can also be made a focal point with panels or a surround. The Victorian Salvage & Joinery Companymakes panelled surrounds for baths with mirror inserts and integrated storage.
A large bathroom provides the space to set the bath centre-stage, but a standard bath can be lifted out of the ordinary with a statement side panel, or a pleasing backdrop of tiles. Before rushing out to buy a super-size bathtub, consider the practicalities. These baths may put a strain on your boiler capacity. You might even need to re-enforce the ceiling joists of the room below to take the weight. Check with your builder, plumber or bathroom designer before making a purchase. u