Bathroom Design Ideas for the UK | Inspiration & Advice

By Karen Lawrence
Are you dreaming of a beautiful new bathroom?
Whether you love the idea of sleek, hotel-style glamour, a soothing and sensual relaxation space, or a period-style update to complement your home, there’s never been a greater choice of bathroom styles, colours and finishes available to suit all budgets.
Tom Bentley, Refresh UK Operations Manager, agrees, “The bathroom is a haven of peace and relaxation for many people, so it’s important that it reflects your sense of style and personality. With the almost unlimited options available today, a good designer can create a totally unique bathroom that’s not only practical but provides a sanctuary from everyday life.”
“Getting your bathroom design right isn’t easy, though. You need to consider the layout, practicality, hygiene, storage space, lighting and ventilation – and that’s before we get to the fittings, finishes, colours and styles!”
So where do you start when updating ‘the smallest room’?

Small really can be beautiful

Although some of us may be blessed with plenty of space, in the UK we’re more used to small, sometimes cramped bathrooms.
How can you make the room feel bigger? Wall-hung fittings, including the WC, vanity unit and storage shelves, increase the sense of space by revealing more visible floor area. The added bonus is that they’re very practical, too, making floor-cleaning a doddle.
Slimline, compact fixtures are ideal for a narrow bathroom, and a high-gloss finish reflects more light – useful in an otherwise gloomy space. Frameless shower enclosures can also increase the sense of space in a narrow room.
Choose a light, neutral colour scheme for both the floor and walls to give the impression of spaciousness. If your bathroom lacks natural light, consider adding a skylight, if possible, to create a light and airy feel.
If you’re really pushed for space, why not create a wet room? This can make the most of a small floor area and help you squeeze in an extra ensuite to add practicality and value to your home.

Practical doesn’t mean boring!

Even the most luxurious bathroom must also work as a practical family space. Modern high-efficiency toilets use less water to flush, and the latest innovation is a ‘rimless’ design, which is easier to clean and more hygienic.
Adequate ventilation is crucial to prevent the build-up of condensation and damp problems. Install a good extraction system, and consider underfloor heating to help dry surfaces more quickly – it’s also comfortingly warm underfoot on those chilly mornings.
Tiled walls and floors have always been a practical choice, and there are hundreds of beautiful options to suit all tastes. Metro tiles are still as popular as ever, but newer trends include mirrored tiles, wood-effect tiles, and richly patterned, Moroccan-influenced floor tiles.
If you regularly experience a queue for the bathroom, why not install a his-and-hers shower? Following on from the long-established double washbasin, a double walk-in shower, with separate shower heads and controls, will help you beat the morning rush.

What’s your style?

If you love traditional period-style bathrooms, rejoice! They’re currently very much on-trend, so there are lots of Victorian and Edwardian inspired roll-top and freestanding baths on sale. If you don’t have the space or budget, get the look for less with ceramic handled fittings and period-style taps instead.
Gold, brass and copper are also popular choices right now. Taps and pipework in brushed copper or subtle rose gold work with both period and modern décor, and combine particularly well with another current trend – dark bathrooms – to give a truly dramatic effect. Think indigo blue, dark wood-effect or anthracite grey paired with a border of copper mosaic tiles to complete the look.

Hi-tech pampering

As with all areas of the home, smart technology has also made its way into the bathroom. Digital showers control the temperature and flow rate more accurately, and you can save your preferred settings for next time.
While you’re in there, you can also keep up with your favourite TV or radio show with a waterproof wall mounted screen, or even choose one that’s built into a heated towel rail. Alternatively, stream media via Bluetooth to a wireless showerhead speaker – non-stop entertainment even as you bathe!

Should I DIY?

Installing a new bathroom doesn’t normally need planning permission, but you will need to comply with building regulations. Any electrical work, such as lighting or an electric shower, also requires certification, and there are a number of jobs such as plumbing and tiling that really need specialist skills.