According to statistics the average bathroom costs between £2,700 and £6,500 pounds, with luxurious bathrooms topping £7,000 and rocketing into the hundreds of thousands for the most bespoke, high-end types.
So, even at the cheaper end of the market, you’re still spending just over half the cost of the average family holiday. The financial outlay definitely doesn’t justify choosing the design of this important room on a whim.
So, how do you choose a bathroom design?
There are so many elements to consider, such as the look of the suite, the size of the room the bathroom is going into, the materials you would prefer, and your budget. Realistically, a combination of all these elements should come into play when choosing, but ideally, your needs will remain the priority.
Being sensible about the process means putting your needs above all else when it comes to choosing the right bathroom design. If the bathroom doesn’t work for you practically, it won’t matter that the colour is perfect, or that the finish is high-quality.
To help you choose the best possible bathroom design for your needs, we have some common bathroom need ‘types’ for you to browse, along with key tips and considerations for each:
A Family Bathroom
A family bathroom has to work well for the whole family, so it has a lot of demands on it. Key considerations for a family bathroom include:
- Storage – for medicine, toys, makeup, toiletries, towels and other things.
- Child-friendly – potty training, bathing, times during illnesses and general care will all take place here.
- Safety – flooring, lights, heating, water usage and accessibility.
- Use Of Space – a space with so many uses requires excellent use of space.
- Neutral Look – image isn’t everything but for a space to please the whole family, a neutral theme is key.
- Multiple uses – using the toilet, washing, getting ready, taking medicine, spending quality time together.
- Cleaning – you’re a busy family so this space needs to be easy to clean. Studies show that the bath is the second dirtiest place in the bathroom (after toothbrushes) so pay careful attention to get an easy-clean finish that saves you time.
Do be very clear about your needs before looking into a new family bathroom design. This is an important room in your home and careful planning will pay off.
A Luxury Bathroom
A luxury bathroom is likely to cost more than your average bathroom, although you can save a lot of money with some smart decisions. Key considerations for a luxury bathroom include:
- Getting that spa feeling just right using scent, technology and lighting.
- Storage – so that key luxury features are the centre of attention.
- Finish – the finish of the bathroom matters greatly if it is a luxury aspect of the home.
- Shower/Bath Feature – rainwater showers, luxury roll top baths, jacuzzi corner suites – these are the key features that will make your bathroom stand out from the rest.
Do be very picky when selecting your key luxury bathroom feature, as that will be the winning aspect of the entire room.
An Accessible Bathroom
An accessible bathroom requires a lot more technical thinking than a standard bathroom because it has to be extremely practical for the person using it. Key considerations for an accessible bathroom include:
- Specific accessibility for the homeowner is central to the design of the room whether that is a wider doorway, the room being a wet room, the use of a walk-in bath, or perhaps even the addition of handles and safety measures throughout.
- Using the space well to enable the maximum use of the bathroom including adjustments.
- Budget – there may be budget restriction following a care assessment from the council detailing contribution amounts.
- Location – the bathroom may need to move from upstairs to downstairs.
Accessible bathroom conversations can be very expensive and the results directly impact the homeowner’s life. Care assessments, working with an experienced company and a lot of planning all need to be done before an accessible bathroom should be worked on.
A Bathroom For A Rental
If you plan to rent a property out and the property needs a new bathroom, your thinking is likely to be different from if you were planning a bathroom for your own house. Key considerations for a bathroom in a rental property include:
- Cost – the bathroom should be the best value for the lowest amount of money, to protect your outgoings and maximise profit.
- Longevity – the bathroom needs to last as long as possible in the rental to avoid renovating again soon.
- Safety – you have a duty to provide a safe bathroom environment for your tenants
- Ventilation – mould and mildew are issues in rental properties so the more ventilation you can add, the better.
- Neutrality – the look of the bathroom has to appeal to all kinds of tenants so neutral is best.
- Practicality – the bathroom should suit a couple, a family and any other potential types of tenants you might have. Ideally, you can create a bathroom that works for your key tenant demographic.
Do look around online at other rentals in the same price bracket and area as yours to see the kinds of bathrooms being offered. This will help you stay in competition with other local landlords and ensure you are charging the right amount of rent based on what you have to offer.
What Kind Of Bathroom Do You Need?
Hopefully, the information above has helped you with your new bathroom research. Of course, each listing is generalised and so, you should spend a lot of time initially thinking about what your individual needs are when it comes to your bathroom. Every household is different and maybe you want a luxury family bathroom, or an accessible rental bathroom, or a budget spa bathroom. There are endless products, finishes, materials, companies and adjustments you can use when creating the perfect bathroom, and you can usually create a plan to fit any budget too. Put in the time and careful planning and you’re sure to create the most perfect bathroom for your household and its unique needs.