Big changes have been taking place in bathroom designs. It began in new, plush hotels where minimalism took over from opulence, and before long, everyone was at it. Through this blog, Gharpedia shares the important elements of this contemporary bathroom design.
What is a Contemporary Bathroom Design?
The contemporary bathroom design is the antidote to the Victorian and Edwardian retro styles, which were the last big style statements for bathrooms. One thing to note is that fashion takes longer to ‘change’ in bathrooms for the obvious reason that you can’t move things around to replace them on a whim. The second factor is the cost because this is a room where expert help is required and plumbers, electricians, and builders don’t come cheap. If you are going for a complete change, then it may be worth asking an architect or specialist bathroom designer to advise you.
Plumbers and electricians often work together on contemporary bathroom installations and it is worth finding a pair who work well as a team. An electric shower, for instance, needs the expertise of a plumber and electrician at different stages. It is also a good idea to consult a plumber before you hire a designer because you need to know what the water pressure is, the type of boiler, and the size of the tank. The plumber will also be able to advise you, for instance, on whether it is worth replacing an old boiler at the same time to accommodate a shower system that would be more economical to run. And if you can find a ‘new wave’ creative plumber who keeps up with what’s new in bathrooms, you won’t need any other bathroom design advice.
Collect Modern Bathroom Design Ideas from Catalogues
If you are looking for modern bathroom ideas, the easiest way to compile them is by looking into top-class catalogues. Cut out your favourites and walk around the market in search of look-alikes. As with high-street stores, there are lots of budget versions of the latest styles, and the DIY outlets should be your first port of call. If you are on a tight budget, always go for the plainest designs because they will be the slowest to date.
There is also a booming mail-order trade in contemporary bathroom fixtures and fittings. You may be able to economise by getting hold of a plain bath and toilet from a DIY store, making your style statement with bathroom accessories and a state-of-the-art sink. Bathroom cabinets, heated towel rails, mirrors, shelves, lights, and laundry bins can coordinate with the contemporary ranges, and extra items can go on a birthday or Christmas present list!
If you want to go for the latest bathroom design, the best advice is to wait a little before you buy because some copies of designer items are as low on quality as they are on price. It may be worth waiting for a sale on the real thing or buying last year’s range from an outlet. That is particularly true because style changes take a long time to filter down to the cheap end of the market, sometimes taking two or three years.
Planning a Contemporary Bathroom
One of the most important aspects of planning a contemporary bathroom is the budget, which should include the cost of the main sanitary ware (bath, toilet, bidet, basin and shower tray), the taps, the shower, and the screen or cubicle. Also include decorating materials such as tiles, paint, flooring and essential accessories like storage units, lights, towel rails, mirrors, and shelves. Get quotes for the plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry, along with any decorating that you can’t manage yourself, such as skim coating or re-plastering. Hence, before jumping into the tips for bathroom renovation, plan your budget.
Contemporary Bathroom Ideas to Transform Your Old Bathroom
If you like the idea of having a contemporary bathroom design but not the price, it’s time to take stock and act. If the bathroom suite is outdated or plain ugly, it must be disguised. Materials to think about are pure-white laminated board, perspex, or sheet metal. If you like the look of an aluminium bath panel but not its price, then buy a sheet of marine ply and spray it with metallic aluminium spray paint. Spend money on the trim and it will look every bit as good as the real thing. Paint is still the cheapest and most dramatic way to make changes, and you can use it on walls, tiles, woodwork, and even vinyl flooring.
One of the best contemporary bathroom ideas is to pick a colour scheme with a contemporary feel. Try colours like ice blue, linen white and café latte with accents of dull silver. Box in the bath and basin with ply, paint the walls ice blue and linen white, paint the floor café latte and fit matching-coloured blinds. Then change the toilet seat, shower curtain, bath mat, toilet roll holder, towel rail, and mirror. This does not necessarily mean buying everything new. Look for things that can be refurbished or re-painted, like woven laundry baskets or mirror frames.
Galvanised metal is cheap. Some contemporary designers have used this material for mirror frames, candleholders, and small cupboards. Pick classic items like buckets and utility shelving from hardware stores and integrate them with designer buys. In short, this is the sort of quick fix that you can do on the weekend. So, what on earth are you waiting for? Revamp your bathroom with these tips.
Did You Know…?
In the 1990s, in their quest for originality, interior designers started using materials from the industrial side in the home sector. Non-slip floor paints were one of the first products to cross over from factories and shipyards, and many other resurfacing products and specialised finishes followed.
Contemporary Bathroom Tips
- The contemporary bathroom replaces opulence with minimalism, giving domestic bathrooms a stylish hotel look.
- Designer catalogues can help you decide on the look you want before looking for a budget version at DIY outlets. Sometimes it’s worth waiting for a sale on the real thing to ensure you don’t sacrifice quality for the price.
Check out West Shore Home’s bathroom visualizer to envision what your future bathroom will look like.
Hope these contemporary bathroom design ideas will help you transform your old bathroom without bothering your pocket too much. Also, have a look at our blog for more bathroom remodel ideas.
Styling and Pointers for Bathroom Remodel Ideas!
Author Bio
Huta Raval – An English Literature and Journalism Topper, Huta Raval has graduated from the L D Arts College, Ahmedabad. Post serving for 23 years in the NBFC and Public Library Sectors her desire for ‘writing the unwritten’ brought her to the creative field of content writing. Her clientele comprises of NGOs, Blogging Platforms, Newspapers, Academic Institutions, et al.