‘But what’s the bathroom like?’

A decent bathroom seals the deal for any house-hunter. Whichever Arden design you choose, you’ll have at least two bathrooms in your new home and a blank canvas through which you can create your ideal bathroom layout.

When it comes to building your dream bathroom there are many important factors to consider such as fixtures, materials, cabinetry, electrical and plumbing needs, and of course your own individual requirements.

Read on for top bathroom design tips that will give you the functional, stylish and well-appointed bathroom of which you’ve always dreamed.

Bathtub

A bathtub really does help create a lush bathroom sanctuary but should you opt for a built in or freestanding tub?

A freestanding bathtub can give a more luxurious feel to your bathroom, and these are often deeper than built in baths – allowing you to really soak in those bubbles and relax. It’s important to keep in mind though that with a freestanding tub, you’ll need access behind the bath to clean up any splashes and dust bunnies.

On the flipside, a back to wall, built in tub can give you the look and feel of a freestanding tub while sitting flush against the wall – removing the hassle of cleaning behind it.

Shower head

A small detail that can make a huge difference to how you enjoy your bathroom is your choice of shower head.

A fixed showerhead can be visually appealing – adding decorative value to your bathroom – while also providing a larger spray area, making it easier to get squeaky clean. However the height of fixed shower heads can be less flexible – so it’s important to consider the needs of your family, especially if you have little ones.

A handheld shower head is easily adjustable, and often will include more water pressure options – making it a flexible choice to suit the needs of all bathroom users in your home. It’s also a great option to make cleaning the tiles, shower screen and inside of your shower much easier.

Tiles

Your choice of tiles is an easy and brilliant way to inject personality and your own style to your bathroom. An important consideration, as you may have gleaned already, is how easy they are to clean.

Grout can often be difficult to clean in a bathroom – bright whites don’t last forever – so don’t be afraid to incorporate a darker colour grout to make your life easier down the line.

Large format tiles will also have fewer grout lines, making them easier to clean. You can also opt for a smaller grout line for a more seamless tile finish by using rectified edge porcelain tiles.

Basins

When it comes to your counter and basin, should you opt for a countertop or undermount basin? All homes in our Aspire range give you the option of undermount, semi-inset or countertop basins and each style has unique benefits.

Undermount basins are both a practical and stylish choice. These basins will sit underneath your stone benchtop, making the benchtop easy to clean and importantly – providing more usable counter space for storage!

The beauty of countertop basins is the different styles, colours and finishes to choose from, giving you another opportunity to inject your own personal style into the space.

When choosing your basin, it’s important to consider your plumbing needs – as some countertop basins have tap holes while others require wall or vessel mixers.

Semi-inset basins, included as standard in our Lumina range, give you the advantage of extra space while also giving you scope for styling.

Tapware

Tapware is a way to create a clear and cohesive style across your home. Colour ranges are always expanding with brushed nickel, gunmetal and even gold now a common alternative to more conventional chrome or black tapware.

An easy way to create a harmonious feel across your bathroom is to match your accessories and fixtures with your tapware – such as towel rails, toilet roll holders, and shower screen frame.

Lighting

It might not be the first thing you think of but lighting choices can have a big impact in your bathroom.

Good vanity lighting will make it easier to apply makeup or shave – so if the natural light in your bathroom isn’t hitting the mark, you can install downlights above the vanity or wall lights above or on either side of the mirror to achieve the desired lighting.

For an extra luxe bathroom experience, consider adding a dimmer to create low light – perfect for when you’re having a relaxing soak in the bathtub.

Storage

Don’t forget your storage needs! There are plenty of discreet ways to utilise the space in your bathroom to conceal items you may not want to have on display.

Drawers provide practical vanity storage and are easier to access than cabinet doors, especially under basins. Consider adding partitioned trays to your drawers to keep everything organised and easy to reach – perfect for makeup and extra loo rolls.

Medicine cabinets with mirrored doors are a practical way of accessing storage for small bottles and containers, and make the most of wall space. If space is lacking, you can also consider choosing a toilet with an in-wall cistern to save even more space.

Building with Arden

When it comes to genuine design flexibility, sustainability and unrivalled inclusions, Arden is truly a step above the rest. We believe your home is a reflection of you and should work effortlessly to suit how you like to live – not just for today, but well into the future. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you create the home (and bathroom!) of your dreams.

Top Tips for Designing your dream bathroom

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