Bathroom Suites | SuiteBathrooms.co.uk

Bathrooms are now starting to receive similar treatment to kitchens, with many manufacturers producing custom-made fitted units for use with certain styles of sanitary ware.  This means that maximum use is made of the space available, and a streamlined look is given to the room.  For a softer finish to open shelves, add curtains which can be simply attached with narrow rails beneath a shelf or edge of a vanity unit.

Apart from the kitchen, the bathroom can be a most hazardous place and it is very important to bear this in mind when planning, decorating or using the bathroom.  A shiny, tiled or marble floor looks immaculate, but it is not always practical, so ensure that floor tiles are specially designed to have a non-slip surface.  The shower screens and glass doors must be shatterproof and mirrors securely fitted to the wall.  As water and electricity do not mix, one must adhere strictly to electrical regulations.  All electrical lights should be enclosed, to ensure that no moisture can penetrate and short-circuit the system, and light switches should be positioned outside the room or replaced with a special pull-cord system.  Never trail a connected electrical appliance, such as a hairdryer, into the bathroom.

As we frequently keep disinfectants and chemical cleaners in the bathroom, store them in a secure cupboard out of the reach of children, together with all medicines and probiotic products.  In a family bathroom, ensure there are no shelves above the bath that may encourage a curious child to climb.  Accessories such as toothbrush holders should be made of plastic and if small children or elderly people are using the bath, provide an anti-slip mat and rails.  Most importantly, never let a young child use a bathroom unattended.

Mediterranean look bathrooms have become extremely popular in recent years and it is quite easy to gain inspiration for this type of design.  For example, a quick look through holiday brochures give plenty of ideas for ways in which to recreate the warm sand, yellow sunshine and deep blue seas. Moreover, the bold patterns and rich artefacts specific to that setting are easily reproduced.

One of the best things about this style of decor is the variety of different cultures that are in this category.  Various influences range form those of southern Spain, with its colourful ceramics, whitewashed houses and citrus fruits; to the cultures of north Africa with their terracotta walls, richly coloured textiles and beautiful copper and brass trinkets. The earthy warm feel of the Mediterranean can be captured by terracotta flooring and colourwashed walls in glorious sun-drenched yellow, with rustic accessories to add character, and large sunflowers that are typical of the region.  Each country offers a warm and rich style of its own.

North African countries such as Morocco provide stimulus for a wonderfully unusually bathroom.  A shower curtain, for example, can depict African animals. It is possible to produce a novel and effective texture to the walls by using waterproof sand and cement.  If you want a speedy makeover and have no need to replaster the walls, you could achieve a similar effect with a textured masonry painting, usually for exterior walls but ideal for this purpose.  It is impervious to water and the finish is especially useful for covering badly cracked or unattractive walls.  A heavily woven natural floor covering can be used, with finishing touches of rustic metal mirror frames and bamboo cane with its straw finial for the shower curtain rail.

Seaside, seashore and nautical themes have become a great source of inspiration for designers in recent years.  The memories of a childhood seaside holiday, and the freshness of the clear blue sea, can easily be captured within the design of a room.  Both colour and texture play their part.  There are a great number of blue shades of paint from which to choose to reflect the sea and the sky. Moreover, a warm gold paint for the sand, and a clean white for the clouds on a sunny day are a good starting point. This can be combined with the smooth texture of sun-bleached timbers that have been washed up on the shore.

The secret to a well-designed themed room is the ability to adapt or disguise the principal elements needed.  For example, it is not difficult to unify bathroom cupboards with their surroundings and create a complete look, simply be using paint finishes that are complementary to the colourwash chosen to decorate the walls.  Accessories draw the eye towards them so in a seashore themed bathroom, sea and fish ceramic shapes can be stuck to plain tiles to provide textural interest.  A handful of shells can be utilized.  A simple border can be made by stamping motifs of shells onto plain paper.  Collections of sea themed accessories can add more personality and character to a room than the most carefully chosen manufactured wallpaper.

Many modern bathrooms or en suites are now built without the benefit of a window.  Not only does this mean that you are reliant on artificial lighting but it can also have the psychological effect of looking claustrophobic, regardless of how large the room is.  One answer to this would be to create a false window.  This can be achieved by building wooden shutters into a frame resembling a window recess.  Then the whole is dressed using a sheer muslin curtain and some accessories added to make it look like there is a narrow window ledge.

A country-style family bathroom looks pretty, fresh and fun.  Beamed walls would give a traditional effect, reminiscent of old country properties.  If the timber is painted white, it creates a  contrast to plain, emulsion coloured walls painted with a cool pastel colour, such as powder blue. Simply painted white floor boards are practical and a white bathroom suite would add to the fresh, country look.  The bath, if boxed in with tongue and groove panels, can become the central feature of the room.  If it is surrounded by a four-poster effect canopy and draped with pink or blue checked curtains, it will look very pretty.  This technique is often employed by designers, by drawing attention to a central feature, such as the bath, and then decorating the surrounding room simply in an enhancing colour. The feature dominates while the room remains uncluttered.  In this way, the finished effect is special, but far from overpowering.

In the country-style bathroom, the colours light blue, pink and white are ideal because they naturally make a room appear larger, and small, simple accessories will not clutter up the space nor detract from the central feature of the bath.  However, the fabric used to drape around the bath needs to be impervious to mildew and moisture, or suitable for regular laundering.

If the family is into contemporary styling, then colours should be bright and inviting, but while vivid, need not be overpowering. Oranges, yellows, and reds are ideal.  The lines have to be kept clean and sharp.  Children are particularly happy in this syle of bathroom and can take a hand in accessorizing it.  They can paint paper plates as a cheap and extremely effective additiion, which can be displayed by mounting in a decorative pattern on the wall.  To prevent the designs from being spoilt by condensation, paint them with PVC, which dries to a clear finish.  Children’s hand prints are very charming and a remarkably quick way to decorate the paper plates.

There is nothing more luxurious and  opulent than to relax in a bathroom which has old-fashioned elegance.  Elegant bathrooms painted in predominantly warm colours with a golden or yellow undertone evoke character as well as warmth.  Elements such as a roll-top bath and a chrome, wall-mounted shower head, add a tradional air to the room.  A natural terracotta floor adds a softness and warmth in a way that no other form of ceramic tiling can. Carefully chosen paint colours can give it a provincial feel.  Muted tones enhance a room’s restful appearance, something that brighter, sunny colours would not achieve.  Fortunately, manufacturers are aware of the trend in history period pieces for bathrooms and so produce historic colour paints in forms that are suitable for the bathroom.  Copolymer emulsion, for example, is a washable and hard-wearing ,water-based paint that can be used on all plaster walls and ceilings.  It has a soft, matt finish, but if you are looking for something with more of a sheen, then oil eggshell, an oil-bound paint suitable for woodwork and plaster is available on today’s market.

It is possible to buy or make a hand-carved wooden pedestal that can house a white hand basin, and to complete the old-fashioned look, then accessories such as an old pine towel rail, a scrolled shelf with a lace white cloth, a traditional mirror, pictures, and even a delicate, fluted glass wall light, can be obtained.  If such items are personally collected, it adds a unique traditional quality to the room.

Some rooms have particularly high ceilings, for instance, some Victorian terraced houses, in which case it is possible to stain the ceiling and beams if there are any, in a dark colour in an attempt to visually lower its height.  This technique also successfully draws attention to any beams as a feature of the bathroom.

When children become teenagers, they begin to spend longer and longer in the bathroom, experimenting with hair dye colours etc.  If there is enough room in the home, a small space can be adapted to accommodate an under-sized bath, shower or just a  hand-basin and lavatory.  Teenagers like their privacy so this solution provides a way of relieving the pressure in the family bathroom plus allows teenage freedom.  Their bathroom can be decorated   tastefully with wall to wall posters of favourite idols or display themes such as collections of sea-shells, driftwood or even some home-made airkit aeroplane models.  Teenagers may like to have their own work or exam time-tables fixed to the tiles.  To do this, use a coat of clear varnish or transparent enamel paint which will hold the paper fast, make it water-resistant and durable.

Another way to transform a bathroom could be to crate a greenhouse effect, ranging from a few potted plants dotted around the shelves and the top of cupboards and window ledges to an abundance of vegetation squeezed into every possible space.  The warmth and moisture of the bathroom suit many types of plant, but it is best to check the plant’s label before buying.  Plants can be decorative, but some scented  varieties can also add to the enjoyment of a long leisurely soak by filling the warm, moist air with their perfume.  Bathrooms are sometimes windowless and therefore lacking the sunlight that most plants need, so if the plant begins to turn yellow around the leaf edges, it is best to remove it outside for a few weeks to recover.  All plants kept in the bathroom should be sprayed regularly – a rinse with the shower attachement should wash off dust and powder or spray residue that may have settled.  Pot plants can be attractively displayed in china pots or decorative containers, such as old tea-pots, jugs, bowls or large mugs.  Only tropical plants can cope with the temperature and conditions of a steam-room or a sauna but most others should thrive in a well-heated bathroom.

When our elderly relatives enter residential care homes, such as Nursing Homes, special bathroom facilities are required.  This group of people, along with the disabled, are vulnerable to dangers such as tripping and slipping, or worse, scalding.  Hospitals provide specialist facilities in their bathroom areas such as winches and maintain a room temperature that is comfortable.  When the body is warm after a balmy bath it is an unpleasant shock to the body to step out into a cold room to rub yourself dry.  Any rapid change in body temperature can be detrimental to the frail and elderly, and indeed to very young babies.  In the home, it is best to keep the temperature at a comfortable level for those who take longer to bathe and are more likely to be susceptible to feeling cold, such as those people who are suffering from illness.

Radiators should be plumbed into the main heating system – it is very dangerous to take free standing electric heaters into the bathroom, or to have loose wires and cables around.  A qualified electrician can install an electric power point for a razor or toothbrush.  Some radiators, which may be hot, start at skirting board level and could be accidently touched by bare skin, so it is advisable to cover them.  Heated towel rails should be carefully positioned to avoid the skin brushing them accidently.  Radiator covers can be made by boxing in around the sides and covering the front with a mesh or grid that will enable the warm air to circulate easily.  Some people place an item of sturdy furniture like a bedding box in front of the heater to keep a distance between the user and the heat source.  This works well if there is a toddler in the house, but there has to be adequate space.

Manufacturers of bathroom gadgets are aware of the hazards connected with bathrooms.  Grab rails on either side of the bath are easily fitted and a simple slip-resistant rubber mat with suckers on the back secure it to the bottom of the bath to prevent sliding and slipping.

Children’s bathrooms need to be hazard free and safe, but they can be a great place to decorate.  For instance, a themed bathroom based on a favourite nursery rhyme, or characters from a popular children’s Disney film, or cartoons or comic-book heroes are ideal   for creativity and can be tailored to suit children of all ages.  If free-hand painting is too complex, then transfers and stencils can be used to create a border. The bathroom suite can often be brightly coloured.

Bright, primary colours are best to use, especially with toddlers as this will coax them into the bathroom if they are reluctant to be washed and powdered before bedtime.  An interesting and entertaining bathroom provides a talking point for the adult in order to gain the child’s co-operation.  Bright accessories such as primary-coloured towels and toothbrushes will also add to the fun, and beakers and soap holders should be made from unbreakable plastic rather than china or glass.

Older children enjoy boisterous baths with waves and splashes of water and this can be allowed if the bathroom floor is designed for easy mopping and cleaning.  A good, waterproof seal between the splashback and the side of the bath will help to prevent water seeping down to the floor boards below and causing damp or rot in a children’s bathroom.  Bath toys such as rubber ducks and boats, should be tidied away between sessions into compact storage units.  Colourful plastic stacking crates provide a suitable alternative if there is lack of cupboard space, and will not be affected by any water of dampness remaining in the toys.  Storage of medicines and cleaning fluids which could be harmful to children, should be well out of reach in a cabinet fixed high up on the wall and with a lock or child-proof catch.  If the bathroom is used to change a baby’s nappy, then a changing table or a mat on top of a cabinet will suffice.  Shelf space for talcum powder, creams and wipes should be close to the changing table and a good-sized waste bin for used nappies, cotton buds etc should also be at hand.

Old-fashioned bathrooms, or traditonal bathrooms can be copied from those created in the original era of interest or can be taken from the charms of old-fashioned life and blended with the romantic ideas of a rural idyll. It is possible to adapt an existing suite from a house in the 1950’s for example.  It is also possible to buy old-fashioned bathroom fittings and incorporate them into a particular look associated with a period in history.  Today antique bathroom fixtures are much sought-after and some are highly collectable.  Original china washing sets of basin and jug (or ewer) on a stand, with a matching chamber pot, can be found in many antique shops and accurately reflect the Victorian and Edwardian eras of history.  Decorative porcelain lavatories and rolltop baths, as well as original taps and shower fixtures, can be found if you are prepared to do your research.  Those in less-than-perfect condition can be polished up, restored and re-enamelled in specialist shops. If the enamel finish on old baths is chipped or damaged it is possible to buy an enamel repair kit.  But if it is impossible to get hold of the original item, there are many companies making excellent reproductions.

The Victorian, Edwardian or Art Deco style bathrooms have a timeless appeal, perhaps because of their lushness which is so different from the spartan modern look. Brass or decorative chrome fittings, rich and deep-coloured decorations and authentic accessories are easy to purchase and lend themselves to the decadence of the period.

If you are planning to plumb in a cast-iron bath, it is best to check that the floor of the bathroom and the ceiling of the room underneath can take the weight, both of the bath and when it is filled with water.

Traditional bathroom features that are popular today are claw-foot baths and toilets with high level cisterns.  Claw-foot baths stand alone to show off the fine curved lines and delicate feet of their design.  The high level cisterns need to be wall mounted above the toilet pan and flushed by a chain and pull.  The old ‘Thunderbox’ was a toilet boxed with wood panels and a solid wooden bench, with a hole cut in the centre, placed across the top.   The comfort of a wooden toilet is still sought after today, and looks the part in a traditional bathroom setting.

Victorian ‘telephone’ mixer taps with ceramic tops, or chrome Art Deco versions, will also help achieve an authentic look.  Ceramic tiles with reproduction motifs are available in DIY stores and from tile merchants.  For Art Deco stye, a simple checkerboard effect of black and white tiles will suffice.

In a bathroom that features wood, perhaps in the skirting boards, under-basin cabinets and cupboards, then the bath panels can be made of the same timber.  The panels are fixed in place either with sunken screws that are filled to belnd with the wood or with brass screws, caps and rings that become a feature of the panel.  However, if wood is used in a bathroom environment for a tradional effect, it should be oiled or varnished to make it water-resistant and to prevent it warping in the steamy conditions.  Bath panels made from wood such as mahogany could be expensive, but a similar effect can be achieved using a fake panel.  The panel could be made from plywood and then painted to look like a piece of well-grained wood, as you could find in a traditional bathroom.
Such fake effects can also be painted to resemble marble, granite or a whole range of woods.  Decorative  beading can be added to the flat panel  for embellishment and interest to the surface.  Wooden panelling can be used instead of ceramic tiles and painted or lacquered and then stencilled with gilded designs and motifs.