Design a built-in bathroom

Having your new home built or revamping a small bathroom? In most homes these day the bathroom offers so little space and no room for storage. It's a common problem in many bathrooms.

 

Designing or revamping a bathroom to include built-ins suits most situations and provides all the essential storage needed without taking up valuable floor space.

 

 

Bathroom cabinets can have a dramatic impact in a bathroom and there are an endless list of options to choose from, so much so that it can be an overwhelming decision. Do you want solid hardwood versus laminate, contemporary versus traditional, do-it-yourself versus custom built and installed, just to name a few. Gone are the days of simply selecting the right medicine cabinet.

Whereas a new kitchen installation can cost an arm and a leg, bathroom built-ins are probably the least expensive items when installing or revamping a bathroom. You can pick up ready-made options that are affordable, to custom cabinets that cost thousands.

 

 

Do it yourself

The first step in any bathroom design, whether a new installation or a revamp, is to evaluate and understand how to make best use of the space. Probably the greatest challenge in a bathroom is working out the best way to achieve the style and incorporate as many features as you can within the limits of what is probably the smallest room in the house.

 

The second step, especially when undertaking a revamp, is the location of existing plumbing pipes and electrical wiring. Remodelling a bathroom is relatively easy if you don't have to move them. If you make radical changes in the existing layout, you'll need to investigate whether or not you can build what you want without making too many expensive changes. From a plumber's point of view, the best bathroom layout is one that has all the rough plumbing - water supply and waste - all in one wall, as this not only saves materials, but makes it a lot easier to make repairs as and when required. To keep costs as low as possible, by keeping the same floor plan that you have now - without moving too many fixtures - you'll spend less on plumbing.

 

 

Set yourself a budget

Whilst bathroom cabinets are normally at the bottom of the list when it comes to revamping a bathroom, you can easily take the do-it-yourself option by buying unfinished cabinets and installing and finishing them yourself.

 

 

Floor-to-ceiling cabinets offers plenty of storage for a small or compact bathroom.

 

Shop for cabinets that not only trendy but meet all your storage requirements: built-in drawers, cosmetic trays, wall cabinets, linen towers and floor-to-ceiling storage options. (images: klaus klein.com)

A stand-alone vanity features a combined countertop and sink.

 

 

When selecting bathroom cabinets, make sure you match the period cabinets with period style knobs and handles. You can also shop online for modern and contemporary hardware and accessories.

Whether renovating an existing bathroom or planning a new one, the bathroom is one of the best home improvement investments you can make. You, your family and guests will enjoy the bathrooms in your home every day. And should you ever sell your home, attractive and functional bathrooms add to the desirability and to the selling price of your home.

 

 

Topping off with countertops

Bathroom countertops can make a statement and choosing the right material for your countertop can set the tone of the room. You can choose from laminates, ceramic tile, wood, composite materials or solid materials such as stone or concrete. Aside from appearance, one should also consider price, maintenance and compatibility when investing in a bathroom countertop.

 

 

Granite

Known for its hard wearing and beautiful finish, granite is gaining popularity for a wide range of home styles. Its stain-resistant and durable, and also one of the easiest natural stone countertop options. However, granite countertops should be sealed at least once a year to keep up their appearance.

 

Manufactured Quartz

Designed to imitate the look of natural stone, quartz is extremely scratch and stain resistant. Made up of quartz particles, this synthetic composite comes in a wide variety of colours and thicknesses. Practical for the bathroom, quartz is durable and easy to clean.

 

 

Concrete

Concrete countertops are perfectly suited to the bathroom environment as they are impervious to moisture and stain resistant once sealed - maintaining their beauty through many years of use. Concrete is well known as a superior, yet affordable, building material because of its excellent qualities of versatility and durability. Concrete is now also gaining approval and much support as a material in bathrooms around the world for its clean look, stain resistance, and for its longevity. Regular cleaning with a mild cleaner and buffing the surface with a soft cloth and wax to enhance the shine and colour is all that is required to keep countertops looking good.

This can be quite a messy project if you plan to do-it-yourself, plus you have to wait for the cement to cure. Whilst I always one for advocating DIY - if in any doubt, call in the professionals.

 

Solid-Surface

Designed to look like natural stone, solid surface is one of the most popular countertop options available. Warm to the touch and appealing to the eye, the non-porous qualities of Surinno make it ideally suited to the modern bathroom environment. And this easy-to-maintain synthetic product can be moulded to fit any design specification. The non-porous composition and fabrication technology applied to achieve seamless joints prevents mould, bacterial and microbial growth.