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Considering it’s one of the most frequently used rooms in a home, we tend to value the bathroom more for its function than its looks. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay any attention to the appearance of yours.
After all, unlike the bedroom which you can shut the door to, the bathroom is one of those rooms that you can’t hide from any person visiting you. So, a beautifully designed bathroom can go a long way in making a good impression.
Hence, it’s necessary that you fill the bathroom with elements that are as beautiful as they are functional.
But striving to create the perfect blend of functionality and beauty makes the bathroom a real challenge to outfit. Plus, it doesn’t help that many bathrooms are small and awkward spaces.
So, if you’re faced with the complex task of outfitting a new bathroom, worry not. With the following tips, you’ll be able to tap into the full potential of this room.
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Invest in Water-Efficient Fittings
Water is scarce, especially in times of droughts that frequently hit Australia. And this naturally drives residential water bills up.
Considering how the bathroom accounts for more than half of residential water usage, investing in water-efficient bathroom fittings can help to significantly reduce your home’s water expenses.
In Australia, the water-efficiency of bathroom fixtures is determined with a WELS rating. The WELS rating of a fixture can range from one star to six stars. The more stars, the more water-efficient the fixture.
At a well-stocked bathroom supply store, you can come across a range of highly water-efficient bathroom fittings – from taps to toilets, showerheads, and washing machines.
And you don’t even need to outfit your entire bathroom with six-star fixtures to enjoy significant savings. Fixtures with 3 or 4 stars are a great option for a family.
Just to illustrate, for a family of four, it’s estimated that installing a 3-star showerhead can save around $210 each year, whereas a 4-star showerhead can cut around $315 from your water bills.
And factor in the savings on electricity because less water will need to be heated, and this simple change can make a great impact on your budget.
Make the Most of Your Space with Flush Fittings
But besides saving money, your bathroom design should also save space. This is especially important if you have only limited room to work with.
But even large bathrooms can benefit from a space-efficient layout as this helps to keep them open and airy – perfect for creating a spa-like atmosphere that many of us covet.
And retailers of bathroom products have noticed this need, which is why flush fittings with slim profiles are currently dominating their ranges.
Besides saving space, flush sinks, toilets, vanities, and other fittings are also more visually attractive. Any cistern, pipework, pedestal, or other detail that sticks out, draws the eye to it and contributes to a cramped, overwhelming atmosphere – even in spacious bathrooms.
That being said, instead of a pedestal sink that takes up valuable room, why not consider an inset sink? Or even better – a wall-mounted one?
Additionally, rather than getting a toilet with a separate bowl and cistern which is long out of style, why not opt for a close-coupled unit?
Close-coupled toilets are named after the close coupling between the seat and the cistern. Easy to install and clean, these units are a great addition to modern and minimalist bathrooms.
A Bathtub, Shower, or Both?
Are you a bathtub or a shower person? With our busy schedules, not everyone has the time to soak in a bathtub, so a tub is often considered a luxury than a necessity.
Plus, a tub takes up a lot of space and doesn’t quite help the flush and open feeling I’ve just talked about. But then again, you can’t deny that a gorgeous bathtub is one of the most eye-catching features in a bathroom.
And knowing that you can take a long, warm bath anytime you like is certainly soothing, isn’t it?
So, if you do have the space and budget to fit this element, it won’t hurt to opt for a bathtub and additionally install a shower fixture. This way, you get the best of both worlds.
For more convenience, I’d recommend getting a handheld showerhead, but wall-mounted and rain showerheads are also popular choices if you want to have a hands-free, waterfall-like shower experience.
And instead of a shower curtain, I’d suggest getting a glass screen to prevent splashes all over your bathroom tiles and other elements. Glass shower screens look a lot more elegant and are also easier to clean and don’t attract mould and mildew as much.
Prevent Clutter with Smart & Stylish Storage Solutions
Bathrooms always have a problem with clutter. To preventing yours from being overwhelmed by shampoo bottles, makeup, towels and what-not, make sure to provide enough storage options to neatly hide it all away.
A vanity is an obvious solution for adding storage. But if you don’t have enough space to fit a vanity, worry not. You can always wall-mount cubicle shelves and add cute woven baskets to stash small toiletries out of sight.
Sleek metal or wooden towel racks mounted on the walls or the bathroom door are another simple storage solution.
Besides keeping clutter away, introducing unique storage accessories to your bathroom is a nice way to give it a personal touch without overwhelming the space.
Wall Tiles Are Definitely Worth It
With the popularity of wallpaper as a cheap solution for covering bathroom walls, tiles have taken a back seat in bathroom design.
However, adding wallpaper or painting the walls in a space with high humidity isn’t the smartest thing to do. It can only last so long before it starts to chip or fade.
On the other hand, tiles are long-lasting and won’t lose their good looks as long as you take care of them properly and make sure to clean grout regularly.
And since most bathrooms have smaller walls to cover, investing in gorgeous bathroom tiles can be a great way to give the space a ‘wow’ factor without breaking the bank.
Plus, if you ever want to resell your home in the future, tiles can be one of the key points that make a big impression on potential buyers and drive the value up.
