Bathroom Retreat
Bathroom Retreat
Today bathrooms have been perfected in terms of function. The composition is generally wc, sink, shower and bathtub. The words we aspire to hear when describing our personal bathing space are increasingly associated with privacy, mood and atmosphere. Each has his own priority wish list but good design layout is the basis to this.
Layout- I tend to prefer having an “open” bathing room meaning that the wc, sink and shower are located in separate rooms whereas the bath itself sits in the centre of the bathing space. The advantage to this is that the areas can be accessed at any time and avoids the morning queues. Also the wc is more hygienic and better located out of sight. Bathing can then be enjoyed as an activity in itself. This approach should not take up more floor area than a one space bathroom and make good use of space within a multi purpose layout.
Since Edwardian times the bathroom has served as an escape, with large armchairs in an ample setting, in recent years we have seen an emphasis on the minimal approach of vast expanses of white tile underlining the cleanliness aspect. Now the trend seems to be directed back to using this room with a more dynamic to house art pieces, plants and sculptures. Whichever direction you take the bathroom, if planned and designed properly, will be a place of retreat which you will enjoy visiting.
The bathroom is one of the most exciting spaces to design as it gives the opportunity to indulge in using luxury materials that are otherwise excessive in larger spaces. Surfaces should be water resistant and practical to keep dry but apart from these restrictions anything can be done. Select two or three materials and stick with introducing not more than one colour. Reflective materials such as glossy tile and mirror bounce the light adding volume to the space. Attention to detail, pay attention to joints as they are unsightly in a small space. Build in storage were possible, this will aid to keep visual clutter to a minimum. Place recessed lighting in the corners f the room or were wall meets ceiling to increase the breath of a small space.
