Part 2: Bathroom renovation - things to consider before you start.
The second hardest working room in your home is the bathroom.
In part one of this article we looked at vanities, tapware, baths and more - read the article here…
We can help you to select the best fittings for your particular needs, style and budget. With our expert knowledge of different plumbing and surface material finishes the end result will be a bathroom that you love.
Below are some more of the decisions we work through with our clients when designing their bathrooms:
Vessel basins on a double vanity
Basins - do you prefer a vessel basin on top of the vanity or an integrated basin? Often clients will opt for vessel basins in the ensuite for a bit of a wow factor, then have integrated sinks in the family bathroom as they’re a bit easier to keep clean.
Here are some of our favourite vessel basins.
Integrated basin with a vanity from Bathco
Showers - rain-head or slide shower? If you have the space it can be nice to have a double shower in the ensuite. With a rain head shower you can have a separate head coming out of the wall or ceiling, or you can have an all in one column with a slide shower as well.
Storage - so important in the bathroom. Let’s maximise the storage by adding mirror cabinets above the vanity (if you like them), custom vanities with drawers and storage cupboards as well as recesses and tiled shelves for storage of shampoo bottles etc.
Towel rails - how many towels will you need to store on the heated rail? Where will we locate it so that it’s easy to grab a towel when you get out of the shower? Do you prefer a ladder style or single heated towel rails? We can even use vertical heated towel rails if we are pushed for space. Perfect for the casually draped towel look!
Heated towel rail singles
Lighting - will you be using the bathroom mirror to apply makeup? If so, we’ll need good task lighting. Maybe you would like some feature lighting as well. It’s important to talk through your lighting plan and ensure any ceiling lights are placed correctly so as not to cast shadows when you’re trying to go about your tasks. There are also some great mirrors available with built in lighting.
Mirrors & mirror cabinets - there are so many options to choose from, we can help narrow it down to what works in your space. From mirrors with an inbuilt LED light on the edge (great for applying makeup), to different shaped mirrors with concealed in-wall storage. We can create a custom mirror or mirror cabinet to suit if we can’t find the right one to fit.
A custom made mirror cabinet above this custom vanity. Note the powerpoint inside for charging toothbrushes.
Toilets - back to wall or in wall? Perhaps you would like a toilet with a bidet feature? These toilets are becoming increasingly popular and there are a number of different brands available now in New Zealand.
A toilet with the cistern concealed in the wall is a good idea if space is at a premium as they sit out from the wall less than a freestanding back-to-wall model. Another consideration is whether to have a floor mounted or wall mounted pan. A wall mounted pan can make a bathroom feel more spacious but a floor mounted pan feels a little more stable. It often just comes down to which look you prefer.
When budget is a key consideration or you don’t want to be digging into walls, many people opt for a simple back-to-wall suite which still has a clean and contemporary look.
All photos in this article are of our completed bathroom projects other than those photos attributed to our suppliers.
Suppliers featured in this article:
-Bathco
-Plumbline
-ABI Interiors
-Robertson
If you are interested in talking to us about your renovation project and what we can do with your space, give us a call on 021 504-145 or send us an email with some more details about your project.