The bathroom is one of the first rooms you see in the morning and one of the last you see at night. So, we know that its décor and style can make such a difference to how you start or end the day. Here’s a glimpse of the components of the traditional bathroom design, featuring elegant fixtures and accessories from Victoria Plum bathrooms.
What Is a Traditional Bathroom Design?
Unlike modern bathrooms that are smart and compact, traditional bathrooms are sanctuaries for pampering and indulgence, a tranquil retreat to relax and unwind… a beauty salon in your own home. The main features of traditional bathroom designs are an opening for natural light, an old iron bath, a separate shower room, cosy lighting, wooden floorboards with waterproof floor paint, and finally scented candles.
The bathrooms, which we now tend to think of as traditional date back to the early twentieth century in style, when the bathroom first became a feature in ordinary people’s houses. Modern Europeans were a bit slow on the uptake as far as bathrooms go, but the Ancient Romans had stunning baths and washrooms. There was a gap until the first bath was installed in the White House in 1851, and there was no bathroom in Buckingham Palace when Queen Victoria began her reign in 1837. By the end of it, though, all kinds of bathroom fixtures had entered the market, including stand-up showers, short and long baths, flushing toilets, mixer taps, and heated tower rails. And now there has never been more choice in bathroom fittings and fixtures, so whatever your idea of a traditional bathroom may be, you can satisfy every whim.
There are two things to keep in mind before you begin redecorating your bathroom:
1) With such a huge choice of bathroom fittings and fixtures, it’s a good idea to make a list of the things you would like in your traditional bathroom.
2) If you need expert advice at any point in your DIY project, call a professional bathroom remodeling contractor to ease your task.
9 Essential Ideas For Traditional Bathroom Design
01. Planning A Traditional Bathroom
If you are planning a complete bathroom refit and wish to try your hand at traditional bathroom design, then this is a good opportunity to move things around. Just because the bath is against one wall doesn’t mean that that is the only place for it. Looking to make a bathroom statement and give your bathroom a completely new look? Now is your big chance! The best way to begin is to visit a bathroom showroom – the most upmarket one you can find – and pick up all the latest brochures. Always start by looking at the best designs and work backward to something that suits your budget. That way, you will immediately be able to spot the best features in the inexpensive range and see where you can save some money without compromising on style.
There are many traditional bathroom ideas you can try. Some bathroom brochures include a planning section, if not, you can make one yourself using graph paper and scaled-down cut-outs of the main fixtures. Mark the position of the window and door on your plan, and then see if the bath, basin, or toilet is in the best place. If the door takes up space when open, perhaps it could be rehung to open outwards or relocated further along the wall. Pipes and the electricity supply can always be re-routed if a new arrangement makes more sense. And if the bathroom is huge, it could be moved away from the wall into the middle of the room. Plan the lighting at the beginning of the project and make the most of any natural light by painting the window frames white and fitting blinds into the frame recess. If you have a window with a good view, arrange the bath so that you can appreciate it while you’re in it. Mirrors should be positioned in places that are both useful and flattering!
02. Choosing Fixtures for Your Old-Fashioned Traditional Bathroom
If you choose to go with an old-fashioned bathroom, you can opt for the real thing or a reproduction version. Many companies make reconditioned baths and basins. You can either choose them or visit an architectural salvage yard. These yards offer commodities at lower prices than the antique shops. Before buying an old iron bath, you must find out whether your bathroom floor joists are strong enough to support its weight, along with about 110 kg of water and the weight of the person using it! Old taps may look wonderful but might not have the right size pipe connectors for modern plumbing. So, find out what it will cost to have them updated before celebrating your bargain buy. Since most old styles of fixtures and fittings are copies, it is often best to buy the new versions. Old lace shelf-edgings, glass bottles, mirror frames, and shelves add to the atmosphere without costing a fortune. And treat yourself, at least once, with some expensive bottled bath products. Display them proudly on the shelves!
03. Shower Design Ideas for Traditional Bathroom
A separate shower room is ideal and it does not have to be bigger than the average cubicle, but for most people, a shower must be inside the bathroom, either as a self-contained unit or over the bath. There are lots of options for traditional bathroom showers, and it is best to get advice from an expert. Begin by asking a plumber which system is best suited to your home. It will depend on several factors, including the placement of your water tank, the water pressure, and your boiler type. Armed with this information, you will be able to pass on the technical details to the sales staff and confine your efforts to your favourite style. If you are fitting a power shower unit over a bath, then a shower curtain will not be enough to protect the surroundings. You will need a panel or folding screen, which can be quite pricey.
04. No DIY For Electric Wiring
Never be tempted to do a DIY electrical job in the bathroom. Wait until you’ve got a few jobs that need doing, and then employ a qualified electrician to install new fittings and check old ones at the same time. By law, all switches should be outside the bathroom. An electrician will ensure that all the correct procedures are being followed.
05. Warmth and Style With Traditional Bathroom Lighting
Bathroom light fixtures must have suitable sealed units for safety purposes. All switches must be pull-cords, and all fittings must be managed well to ensure there are no potential splashes. The traditional bathroom lighting should create a relaxing atmosphere with efficient illumination where it is most needed. Traditional bathroom wall lights add a classic touch to any bathroom.
06. Elevate With Traditional Bathroom Walls
Steamy bathrooms need walls with water-resistant surfaces, which is why glazed tiles are so practical around basins and in toilets and baths. The dampness that often occurs in bathrooms happens when they are not very well ventilated. In winter, condensation becomes a problem. You can buy special paints for bathrooms made with added fungicides to combat mould. However, if you don’t want to introduce such chemicals into the atmosphere, then stick to an oil-based eggshell or gloss paint or an emulsion sealed with waterproof varnish.
You can try lining your bathroom with tongue-and-groove paneling; although it is an old bathroom remodel idea, it has now become the most popular alternative to tiling. It is not necessary to remove old tiles when you change to paneling, which can go over the existing tiles. If you are re-tiling then do it in a brickwork pattern to give the tiles a brand-new look. If you want to refresh the tiling on a tight budget, use tile paint to change the colour or simply re-grout the existing tiles to give them a fresh new look.
07. Timeless Look With Traditional Bathroom Flooring
Bathroom floors get wetter than any other floor in the room, especially if you have young children. In such a case, non-slip sheet vinyl is the best option. Seal these sheets along the edges with silicone so that no water can seep underneath. The range of patterns and prices is huge, and there will be something to suit all tastes and budgets. Small bathrooms can be tackled with off-cuts, so get measuring before you visit a showroom and ask if they have a selection of roll ends. Your choice will certainly be limited but have a look. You can also go with traditional bathroom floor tiles, as they never go out of style. If you prefer carpets, choose one with a rot-proof latex backing and use a bath mat with waterproof backing as well. Floating wooden floors are not suitable for bathrooms, but original wooden floorboards look lovely stripped and varnished or painted with waterproof floor paint. A stenciled pattern or different shades or colours for the border create further interest.
08. Optimized Bathroom Storage Solution
All your hard work will go down the drain if the bathroom becomes cluttered with shampoo bottles, shavers, and toothbrushes. Assess your space and transform dead areas into storage. They include wall-to-ceiling spaces above the toilet and the bath, as well as the wall under the sink. If you want extra towels in the bathroom, fold them and display them on open racks. These traditional bathroom storage ideas will make room for all the bathroom essentials.
09. Adding Luxury To Your Bathroom
A bathroom is a space for self-indulgence. It is the place to relax, unwind and recharge yourself. This is the place where you can indulge in small luxuries. Make it a point to include these small luxuries in the budget for your bathroom project. Scented candles, a bubble bath, a large fluffy towel on a heated rail, and a comfortable bath mat can make you feel pampered. These luxurious traditional bathroom designs and ideas can make your bathroom more attractive.
Things To Consider For Traditional Bathrooms
- A freestanding bathtub positioned in the center of the room with an old-style shower above looks wonderful. If you’re buying an old iron bath, check that your floor joists are strong enough to support it.
- Original wooden floorboards look lovely in a traditional bathroom, either stripped and painted with waterproof floor paint or simply stripped and varnished.
- Wood paneling is an old idea, but for those not keen on tiles, it is the most popular choice. Since paneling can go over existing tiles, there is no need to remove the existing tiles.
- Cupboards can help hide cleaning materials, spare toilet paper rolls, and toiletry clutter in your bathroom. Look for some dead space in the bathroom where you could fit a small freestanding or wall-mounted unit.
FAQs
01. What are some Popular Materials used in Traditional Bathroom Designs?
As traditional bathrooms date long back, popular materials used in traditional bathroom designs include natural stone, granite, vintage tiles, porcelain fixtures, good-quality solid wood, and brass or copper faucets.
02. How can I add Storage to my Traditional Bathroom Designs?
Space is one of the most common features of traditional bathrooms. These bathrooms are spacious enough to add cabinets for storage purposes. Cabinets are mostly built around the sink area and also around the dry area of the bathroom.
03. Can I mix Traditional Bathroom Designs with modern elements?
There is no hard-and-fast rule for traditional bathroom design. Adding modern elements sounds like a great idea, as modern elements are easily available. They also make your bathroom remodeling task faster and easier. Just make sure modern elements blend well and do not stand out in the traditional design. Write us for any queries or more insights.
04. How can I make my Small Bathroom look more Traditional?
Small bathrooms suit modern bathroom design the best because of the compact and multifunctional elements. However, if you still wish to incorporate traditional style, opt for traditional materials like brass or copper hardware, vintage tiles, white colour tone, natural stone, and hardwood floors.
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.