Simplicity and serenity: the key to contemporary bathroom design

Your bathroom is likely to be one of the most used rooms in your home, but can often end up being left until last when renovating a house, becoming unloved and uninviting in the process. 

Bathrooms should not just be a place for us to carry out those everyday essential functions, they also offer us a place to relax and unwind after a long and stressful day, and should therefore be serene, clean and inviting.

Updating and renovating a bathroom doesn’t have to mean a huge and costly overhaul, and it is now relatively easy to give your bathroom a completely new look for just a few hundred pounds and a little time and effort.

The following hints and tips are perfect for anyone wanting to turn their bathrooms from dull and cheap to hotel-like chic in just a few days:

Choose elegant fixtures and fittings

Selecting new bathroom suites can be a daunting process – there are simply so many different styles to choose from.  However, if the look you would like to achieve is contemporary and modern then you should stick to clean graceful lines that will stand the test of time, rather than a plain blocky ‘utility’ suite, or something that’s overly ornate.

White or cream suites are usually the colours of choice, as anything else is likely to date very quickly. Introduce colour into the room with your accessories and decoration rather than the suite itself.

Give the bathtub a test drive

Bigger doesn’t always mean better when it comes to bathtubs. A 60inch (152.40cm) bath is usually the perfect size for most people as it gives them plenty of room to stretch out whilst providing a decent foothold. If you only have space for a very small bath, then opt for a deeper one to counteract its small size.

Sit in a few different bathtubs until you find one that you’re comfortable with, you’ll be spending a lot of time in there after all!

Hang a beautiful mirror

The most stylish and contemporary bathrooms usually feature an exquisitely framed mirror above the sink, rather than mirror covered surfaces or mirrored bathroom cabinets. If you need a lighted shaving mirror then consider installing one inside your shower cubicle to ensure your visible space remains as clutter free and stylish as possible.

Maximise space

Multi-purpose or smaller bathrooms need lots of clever storage solutions to hide away children’s toys, towels and toiletries. Consider all available areas (including behind doors) for shelving units, baskets and narrow bathroom cabinets.

Think about lighting

As with the other rooms in your home, achieving the right lighting is essential when creating a specific ‘look’ and so time should be taken to establish the right lighting solution for the room.

Bathrooms need ambient lighting in addition to task lighting so dimmable spotlights recessed into the ceiling are a great solution that can be changed according to the rooms use.  Candles are also a fantastic way to add ambient lighting to a bathroom, and are perfect for helping to unwind after a busy day.

Other bathroom lighting ideas include:

• Illuminated water
• Cornice lights
• Zoned lighting – under cabinets and units
• Colour changing lamps

This article was written by Amanda Walters, an experienced freelance writer and regular contributor to Huffington Post. Follow her here: @Amanda_W84