bathroom
Now that you have cleaned out your bathroom and created a relaxed, clutter-free haven, how do you keep it that way? Scheduling regular clean-outs – even if it’s just a few minutes every weekend – is the first step as this will prevent mess from building up. Then treat yourself to some soft towels and luxurious bathroom accessories to inspire you to keep your things spick and span. Fresh flowers and scented candles are the perfect finishing touches and will encourage you to look after the sanctuary-like bathroom you have just created.
One of the simplest way to keep your bathroom neat is to add extra shelving. If this is not possible, hanging items up is another way to ensure your bathroom remains organised. “Nooks, hooks, shelving and wall-hung vanities create plenty of storage while still allowing the bathroom to feel open and spacious,” Santilli says. “Wall-hung accessories such as toothbrush holders and soap dispensers are a great way to keep organised, and are the perfect solution for a small bathrooms.”
When it comes to storing your lotions and cosmetics, Randall suggests using a step storage system, as this will help you find the products you are looking for quickly. Step systems come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are an affordable way to keep things organised. Meanwhile, Santilli suggests “organising your shelves, drawers and cupboards by corralling similar items into tumblers, boxes or baskets to keep everything easy to find.”
Clear drawer dividers are a great asset in a bathroom as they’ll keep everything organised and accessible, according to Anton Randall, director of home styling and organisation firm In the Closet. “There are some great shapes and sizes on the market to suit any type of drawer,” he says. Player concurs, adding; “You can also get ‘double decker’ organisers that will give you greater utility out of deeper drawers. Measuring items beforehand can help streamline the shopping process.”
Once you start investigating the range of storage solutions on the market, you will be amazed at the vast array of products you will find. “Simple products such as shelf separators will help you keep similar items grouped on shelves. They also make it easier to pull the whole group out of the cupboard,” Player says. “If you simply put your items on the shelf, you are effectively condemning the items at the back to a long-term archive, as it’s simply too difficult to access them. Similar principles apply with drawers.”
Once you’ve decided to make the change, you need to be ruthless. Go through everything in your bathroom cupboard and work out whether you still need it. Throw out old cosmetics and medications, and check the use-by dates on everything in your bathroom cupboard. No doubt there will be numerous products that you haven’t used in the last year. If you are holding onto things ‘just in case,’ you will never achieve a tidy bathroom. Once you’ve done a big clear-out, you’ll be amazed at how much extra space you’ve created, which will no doubt fire you up to keep your bathroom clean and tidy.
3. Get organised Once you have thrown out all the unnecessary items and identified those products you use the most, it’s time to get organised. This might sound daunting, but it’s easy if you know what to do. “Savvy and multi-functional storage solutions are the key to any modern bathroom, and there are plenty of clever options available,” says Daniela Santilli, business manager at bathroom company
As this bathroom is located on the top floor of the house, extra roof lights were added to ramp up the natural light. Tongue and groove was installed along two walls, which again manages to walk that tricky classic-meets-contemporary line thanks to cool grey paint. “The grey makes the space cosier and it looks good with the traditional bath, which is painted black underneath,” Hamilton says. And once more yellow proves a great way to wake up grey and add a little modern colour. Yellow wall lights: Holloways of Ludlow; sink: Catalano
4. Wet room layouts More popular in European countries, these rooms maximise a small bathroom footprint. If you’ve ever had a sleeper car on a train, you know how this works. A separate shower stall is not required and everything in the room can stand up to the water. But based on past Houzz comments regarding shower spray getting all over toilet seats, I don’t think most this side of the world is ready for a wet room quite yet. The half-wet room (see below) is a strategy that’s easier to live with. The tub and shower are combined in the same area where the water is contained. This saves on the footprint required for a full bath with tub and separate shower, and the only thing getting wet is the bathtub.
Style Precinct Save Email Powder room Amp up the glamour in a humble powder room by adding a low- wattage pendant light. Lighting isn’t always about adding bright lights; approach this space by planning for low lighting and areas of shadow. A dimmer will give you the ability to adjust the right amount of light and ensure your attention is drawn to the focal points of the space. For wet areas, ensure your fitting and installation meets building codes.
Adorn the walls gallery style A simply decorated bathroom can look very refined, and sometimes less really is more. However, just one feature can take a room from simple to sophisticated – and hanging some beautiful art on the wall is a great way to do it. Choose your piece carefully. A canvas might do well in a humid atmosphere, but whatever you display will need to be made from the appropriate materials, and don’t forget to ensure your bathroom is well ventilated.
Back downstairs, the children’s bedrooms are in the existing house and have been designed to accommodate them throughout their growing years. “The neutral colour scheme is current but will also last the test of time and there is plenty of storage, built-in desks and open shelving for display,” says Ristevski. The floor-to-ceiling sashless windows provide ample natural light and are softened with natural linen curtains backed with block-out material.
The bathroom has warm, soft tones and tactile materials with large-format tiles and a Dekton vanity with integrated basin. The bronzed mirror extends the sense of space, as does the bathroom’s outlook to creeping star jasmine. A luxurious emerald green curtain creates a sense of privacy without closing the space in. Large-format Italian tiles: Signorino; matt resin freestanding bath: Reece
In Minnesota, USA, Dark Floral wallpaper has been used to create drama in this modestly sized powder room. Tip: If you’re shy about experimenting with a wallpaper this bold on all walls, try it on a single accent wall and use paint (picking out a colour from the wallpaper’s colourway, such as the gentle blush) for the remainder.
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